Everybody, Always by Bob Goff
Week 4: Afraid of the Dark — Facing Fear to Love Freely
Read the chapters in Everybody, Always on fear and how it limits our love. Key passage: 1 John 4:18 ('Perfect love drives out fear.').
Previewing Week 4 of Everybody, Always
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 13-week guide when you’re ready.
Bob argues that fear is the primary thing standing between us and a life of loving everybody, always — and that the antidote is not courage mustered on our own, but love received from God. Sit with that idea as you work through these questions.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Bob identifies fear as the main barrier to loving difficult people. What specific fears does he name or imply, and which of those resonates most honestly with your own experience?
2.1 John 4:18 says that 'perfect love drives out fear.' But Bob's point is that we don't generate that perfect love ourselves — we receive it. How does being on the receiving end of God's love make it possible to love others without fear?
3.Think about a relationship in your life where fear has caused you to pull back or keep someone at arm's length. What exactly are you afraid of — rejection, being taken advantage of, looking foolish, losing control?
a.If that fear were taken away, what would change about how you engaged with that person?
b.What would it take for you to trust God enough to act even before the fear goes away?