The Awe of God by John Bevere
Week 2: What Is the Fear of the Lord?
Read Chapters 1–3 of The Awe of God. Key passages: Proverbs 8:13; Isaiah 11:2–3; Hebrews 12:28–29.
Previewing Week 2 of The Awe of God
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 14-week guide when you’re ready.
These opening chapters lay the definitional groundwork for everything that follows — take your time here, because a clear understanding of what holy fear actually is will shape how you receive the rest of the book.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Bevere works to define holy fear carefully, distinguishing it from slavish terror. How does he define the fear of the Lord in these early chapters? What are its key characteristics?
2.He points out that Isaiah 11:2–3 lists the 'fear of the Lord' as one of the gifts of the Spirit resting on the Messiah — meaning Jesus Himself walked in holy fear. What does it mean to you that Jesus, the Son of God, delighted in the fear of the Lord?
a.How does this reframe holy fear — is it now more appealing, or does it raise new questions for you?
b.If Jesus modeled it, what might it look like for you to imitate Him in this specific quality?
3.Bevere describes God as both intimately loving and awesomely holy — and argues that we need both realities held in tension. What happens spiritually when we emphasize only God's love without His holiness, or only His holiness without His love?