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OBSERVING HOW GOD CARES FOR YOU
Chapter Theme
In Matthew 6:25–34 Jesus said not to be anxious because of the abundant evidence all around us of God’s lavish care for the needs of His beloved.
Icebreakers
• Suppose you are Sherlock Holmes talking with Dr. John Watson about being a keener observer. Explain to him the logic of what Jesus said about observation in Matthew 6:25–34.
• If you were walking with a little child on a beautiful spring day, what things might you point out to illustrate God’s bountiful provision for the world’s needs?
Group Discovery Questions
1. What kind of order did Jesus issue in Matthew 6:25–34?
2. Explain the etymology of the English word worry.
3. If you are going to worry, is it somewhat acceptable if, at least, it’s about the basics of life instead of about luxuries? Why or why not?
4. Does having a savings account or owning insurance imply a lack of trust in God? Explain your answer.
5. Explain how knowing what God is like relates to our concerns about the basics of life.
6. What does thinking about birds tell you about how to conduct your life?
7. Is the world facing starvation? Explain how the U.S. Department of Agriculture answered that question, then how that relates to worry.
8. How can you experience life to the fullest—no matter how long or short its span?
9. What does God’s lavishing such incredible beauty on temporary wildflowers tell us about His provision for His children?
10. Explain, in relation to anxiety, the concept of believing God for the greater gift but not for the lesser one.
11. How does worry paralyze its victim?
12. Explain what Jay Adams said about tomorrow belonging to God.
13. How does seeking God’s kingdom as your first priority relate to anxiety?
Personal Application Questions
1. What is your heart’s preoccupation? Are you more concerned with the kingdom or with the things of this world? Think carefully and be honest with yourself. To help you in your evaluation, make a list of the different things you do during the week. Next to each item, note whether that time is spent for you or for God. How do you spend the majority of your time? Do you need to spend more of your time concentrating on heavenly things? Take one of the items from your list and determine not to spend that time on yourself. Instead, make it your priority this week to invest that time with God. Do this with another item from your list the following week until you are spending more of your available time on the things of God.
2. Think of the many things a parent does for his or her children. How many of those things has God done for you? How many things has He done that far exceed even those? What does that tell you about God’s special love for you as His child? How does this relate to your anxiety? Take this time to thank God for His love and care for you. Then begin to turn your anxiety over to Him by committing to His care one of the things from your list in question 1.
Focus on Prayer
To better internalize the priorities of your life, memorize 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Whether … you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Meditate on that verse before the Lord and as you do, examine your heart attitude. Do you desire to give God glory because you love Him? Are you willing to be content and not worry—even if you have long tended to be a worrier—as one way of giving Him glory?
Assignment
Look up Genesis 3:18–19 and 2 Thessalonians 3:10. How has God designed for man to earn his food? What happens if he doesn’t follow God’s design? God will provide for man just as He does for the birds if man will only follow His design. Look up the following verses: Leviticus 26:3–5; Deuteronomy 5:32–33; 8:1; Jeremiah 38:20; John 12:26. What does God do for those who are obedient to Him? How do those verses relate to your worry over necessities? Instead of worrying, what should you be doing? Make it a point to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness by being obedient.