Give God Your Worry for His Peace

Message Study Questions

Message Summary

Worry, we all have it. We just call it different things and it has different causes. Worry and anxiety have sky rocketed due to finances, relationships, belonging, physical health, mental health, parenting, politics, the economy and more.

Worry isn’t a new problem. Since the fall, it has been part of the human condition. The root of all worry is simply disconnection from God. Almost all of our worries are either fear or comfort/security based. Fear is a lack of faith and trust in God, and comfort/security is an idol in our heart.

Jesus taught us to seek the Kingdom of God first and everything else will be taken care of. He taught us to focus on today’s challenges, let tomorrow’s trouble wait. The antidote to worry is faith. Giving our worries to Jesus is like taking the trash out of your mind. Overcome worry and anxiety by cultivating a habit of faith filled prayer and gratitude.

1. What three things do you find yourself worrying about the most?

2. How does worry affect you emotionally, physically, and spiritually?

Consider This

The same part of our brain that handles our worrying also handles our gratitude.
So it is physically impossible for you to feel both worry and gratitude at the same time.

1. Read Matthew 6:19-21.

   • What are earthly treasures to you?
     

   • What did Jesus say can happen to them?

   • What does storing up treasures in heaven mean to you?

   • What does this have to do with worry? (V 21)

2. Read Matthew 6:25-27.

   • What kinds of worries did Jesus oppose?
     

   • How do these and other worries multiply?
     

3. How would you interpret Matthew 6:24?
   

   • How does it apply to you and to worry (see verse 25)?

   • How do you sometimes serve money in your life?

4. How do you usually cope with worry?
   

5. Read Matthew 6:33.

   • What should be our priority? Explain what it means to you.

   • Be honest. What do you seek first? What is most important to you? Hint. What do you think about the most?

   • Does verse 33 mean that God will give you everything you want? Why or why not?
     

6. What is the difference between planning for the future and worrying about it?
   

7. Read Matthew 11:28-30.

   • What promise did Jesus give to those who accept His proposition?
     

   • What is it like to experience Jesus’ rest?
     

Moving Forward – Application

Giving your worries to Jesus is like taking the trash out of your mind. If you don’t take out the trash at your house and just let it pile up in your kitchen, your basement, your garage – your house is going to stink. Bringing your worries to Jesus prevents them from piling up in your basement and taking up unnecessary space in your heart, mind, and focus.

1. In 1 Peter 5:7, we’re told to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Are there any cares you have that you need to cast on him today?
   

2. How could you “store up treasure” in heaven today? Is it secure there? Why?
   

3. As you read Luke 12:22-31, write down any reasons you find to NOT worry about the cares you listed above.
   

4. Hiding sin in our heart also leads to anxiety. Read Psalm 32:1-7 and 66:18. Are there any sins in your heart that you need to give up to God? Will you do that this week?
   

5. Make a list of ten good things you can thank God for right now? Then describe how that exercise affected your attitude and even feelings about the things you worry about today?