Matthew 6:25-34

Jesus and Stress and Anxiety – Monday 22^nd to Sunday 28^th November, 2010

Introduction

What are you most passionate about in life? What are you most concerned about?

Studying the passage - Read Matthew 6:25-34

1) List all the different reasons that Jesus gives for not being preoccupied with food and clothing in verses 25-30.

2) Verse 25 begins with the word “therefore”. Summarise last week’s passage (verses 19-24). How does it relate to today’s passage? Most people store up earthly “treasure” because they are worried about the future. How do these two passages contradict this idea?

3) Based on what you have learnt so far from Jesus’ Sermon, what does it mean to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (verse 33)? How does this work out in practice? Give at least three practical applications.

4) Jesus says “seek first” not “seek only”. Is there a difference? Explain.

5) Jesus contrasts the ambitions of the ‘pagans’ with the ambitions of Christians (verses 31-33). Summarise the main difference between the two. What are your ambitions in life? Are they very different from those of the ‘pagans’?

6) Is having food in the pantry or money in the bank wrong based on verse 34? Explain.

Response

In what ways will tomorrow be different for you if you put into practice what you have learnt today? Share one or two of these with the rest of the group.

Share one or two things that make you anxious, then spend some time praying for one another.