The Awe of God by John Bevere
Week 8: The Fear of the Lord and Obedience
Read Chapters 19–21 of The Awe of God. Key passages: Deuteronomy 5:29; John 14:15; Acts 5:1–11.
Previewing Week 8 of The Awe of God
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 14-week guide when you’re ready.
Bevere makes the case that genuine obedience — not rule-following, but wholehearted surrender — is one of the most visible fruits of holy fear, and this week we examine what that kind of obedience looks like and costs.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.God said of Israel in Deuteronomy 5:29, 'Oh, that they had such a heart as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments.' The 'Oh' reveals something about God's longing. What does this verse tell you about what God most wants from His people — and from you?
2.Bevere likely addresses the account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, where God's judgment on hypocrisy caused 'great fear' to come on the church. This is one of the most uncomfortable stories in the New Testament. How do you process it? What does it reveal about God that we might prefer to look away from?
3.The result of the Ananias and Sapphira incident was that 'great fear came upon the whole church' — and then the church grew dramatically. Bevere suggests that holy fear and church growth are connected, not opposed. Does that surprise you? What might it look like in practice?