Group Study 05 - Overcoming Worry and Anxiety
Objective: To understand Jesus' teachings on worry and anxiety, and to learn how to trust in God's provision, freeing ourselves from the distractions and spiritual harm that worry and anxiety can cause.
Key Themes and Scriptures:
The Call to Trust in God's Provision
Explanation: Jesus instructs us not to worry about our material needs, such as food, drink, and clothing, because our Heavenly Father knows what we need. Instead, we are to seek God's kingdom first and trust that He will provide for our needs.
Key Scripture: Matthew 6:25-26 - "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
Discussion Points:
Why is it challenging to trust God with our material needs?
How can we shift our focus from worry to trust in God’s provision?
The Futility of Worry
Explanation: Jesus points out that worrying does not add anything beneficial to our lives. Worrying about the future distracts us from living fully in the present and trusting in God’s plan for us.
Key Scripture: Matthew 6:27 - "Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"
Discussion Points:
How has worry affected your ability to live fully in the present?
Discuss practical ways to reduce worry and anxiety by focusing on God’s promises.
Seeking First the Kingdom of God
Explanation: Jesus teaches that our primary concern should be seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness, rather than being consumed by worries about our needs. When we prioritize our relationship with God, He promises to take care of everything else.
Key Scripture: Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Discussion Points:
What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God in our daily lives?
How can prioritizing our spiritual life help alleviate worry and anxiety about our material needs?
Living in the Present with Faith
Explanation: Jesus advises us to focus on today and not be anxious about tomorrow. Each day has enough trouble of its own, and worrying about the future only adds unnecessary stress. Trusting God day by day strengthens our faith and keeps us grounded in the present.
Key Scripture: Matthew 6:34 - "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Discussion Points:
How can we practice living in the present and trusting God for tomorrow?
Share a time when trusting God for the future helped you overcome anxiety.
Discussion Questions:
What are the most common sources of worry and anxiety in your life? How can you entrust these areas to God?
How has worry affected your spiritual life, and what changes can you make to shift your focus towards trusting God?
Reflect on a time when God provided for your needs in an unexpected way. How did that experience strengthen your faith?
Action Steps:
Identify one specific worry or anxiety in your life and commit to praying about it daily, asking God to help you trust Him more in that area.
Spend time this week meditating on Matthew 6:25-34, focusing on God’s promises of provision and care.
Take a practical step toward seeking God’s kingdom first by serving others or engaging in an activity that strengthens your spiritual life.
Closing Prayer Points:
For God to replace our worries and anxieties with trust and peace.
For a deeper faith in God’s provision, freeing us from the burden of worrying about material needs.
For the group to support one another in living out Jesus' teachings on worry and anxiety.
For wisdom to prioritize God’s kingdom in our daily lives, trusting that He will meet our needs.
For the strength to live in the present, focusing on today’s challenges with faith in God’s care for tomorrow.