– The Inside Out Series –
GET REAL . ANXIETY . FIGHT THE DARKNESS . CALM
*WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Option 1:
Worry Stones:
Bring a bag of smooth stones and several permanent markers. Give each student two or three stones. Ask each student to write something they often worry about on each stone. Tell them that these are small reminders of the larger boulders of worry that each of them carry each day.
If your pockets were filled with stones like these, representing your worries, how would their presence affect your day?
If there were too many to fit in your pockets, you might put them in your backpack. How would this affect your day?
Imagine Jesus saying to you, “I will carry your backpack. Whatever concerns you have, I’ve got this. Will you hand me your backpack?” How would you feel if Jesus made this offer?
Option 2:
- What are three things you worry about?
- How does worrying affect your life?
- Imagine life without worries or anxiety.
- What would it look like?
- If you could be freed from your worries, would you accept that freedom?
- Why or why not?
WHAT DOES GOD SAY ABOUT THIS?
1. Read Matthew 6:25-34. According to this passage, what are some reasons we can experience anxiety?
2. How does Jesus describe our worth in verse 26?
3. How does this passage describe God?
4. What does verse 33 mean by “seek first his kingdom and righteousness?”
5. If we are more concerned about God’s plan rather than our own plans, what will be given to us according to verse 33?
HOW DO WE APPLY THIS TO OUR LIVES?
God allows us to experience challenges in life. He doesn’t always remove challenges, even when we trust him with our lives. How we react to these challenges determines whether we have peace or worry.
6. What were some of the worries you thought of at the beginning of our time?
7. What are some of the reasons you have these worries?
*8. Read Matthew 6:26 and Romans 8:32. If we really believe God values us as these verses show, how can this turn our worry into peace?
*9. Many self-help books will tell you to find the power to overcome anxiety “within yourself”. The Bible says the Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome our anxiety. What is the difference?
10. Close in prayer by asking the members of your group to think back to the thing they said they worry about. Invite them to offer short prayers along the following lines: “Lord, thank you that because you sent Jesus to die for my sins and have promised to meet my needs, I don’t need to worry about __________.”
FOR FURTHER STUDY:
Thrive Studies:
- God Is…Series (This will help reiterate God’s character and ability to take care of our worries.)
- The Me Series (This will help remind you of how God views you.)
Articles:
- http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/anxiety.html
- http://www.everystudent.com/features/finding.html Article on Peace of Mind in an Unstable World
- https://www.cru.org/train-and-grow/life-and-relationships/emotions/depression-anxiety-all-in-your-head.html Article on Depression and Anxiety
Free MP3 Download:
- http://www.gospelinlife.com/peace-8617 Sermon on Peace-Overcoming Anxiety.
What ideas do you have that could improve this study? Are there creative things you do to bring this topic home to your students? Please share with the community clicking the FEEDBACK button or leaving a comment below.
