
Welcome
This week as we focus on Jesus’s famous words about not worrying, share as a group about one of your greatest experiences in the great outdoors (even if you are not an outdoor person). What was special about that experience?
Worship
Read Psalm 8 together as a guide to prayer.
Together thank God for his creation (for people, for the world, etc…), pray against what God is against concerning his creation (against greed, against, hatred, against, prejudice, evil and the devil, etc…), pray for the restoration of all things in Jesus Christ (relationships, nations, the environment, etc…).
Word
Read Matthew 6:25-34
1. Why do you think does Jesus connect this passage with the previous passage by the word “therefore” (verse 25)? What is the connection between treasuring earthly treasures and being anxious about our lives?
2. What lessons does Jesus say that we should take from the birds of the air and the lilies of the field?
3. What does Jesus mean when he says, “Gentiles seek after all these things” (verse 32a)? And what comfort does Jesus offer when he says, “your Heavenly Father knows that you need them all” (verse 32b)?
4. What is “the kingdom of God” (verse 33a)? What is God’s “righteousness” (verse 33b)? How do we pursue such things? On what basis does Jesus promise us that, if we see God’s kingdom and righteousness, “all these things will be added to you” (verse 33c)?
5. Why does “tomorrow” produce so much anxiety in our lives? What is Jesus saying when he says not to be anxious about tomorrow (verse 34)? What does this suggest about how we should approach each day of our lives?
6. What concerns do you have right now about your “tomorrow”? Practically speaking, how might you defer your anxiety about those concerns until the future? Practically speaking, how might you draw upon God’s grace for today?
7. How has anxiety and depression affected your own life? What factors make your anxiety more severe? What strategies do you have to deal with your anxiety? What from this passage stands out most to give you comfort for your anxiety?
Witness
What is one way that you can seek God’s kingdom and cast your cares on the Lord this week?
Daily Readings
Sunday - Matthew 7:1-5
Monday - Matthew 7:6-11
Tuesday - Matthew 7:12-14
Wednesday - Matthew 7:15-20
Thursday - Matthew 7:21-23
Friday - Matthew 7:24-39
Saturday - Luke 12:13-21