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Legitimate concern that leads to planning and action is healthy and can alleviate worry. Worry, on the other hand, is unhealthy, tends to immobilize the worrier, and reduces his ability to trust in God. Maybe that's why Jesus devoted a good chunk of his teaching on the mountainside to the topic of worry.

Matthew 6:25-34

1. What reason (v. 27) did Jesus give for not worrying about our needs?
   
   
2. What did Jesus observe (vv. 26-30) about the welfare of birds and flowers?
   
   
3. What conclusions about worrying (vv. 26 & 30) did Jesus draw from this?
   
   
4. What (vv. 31-32) should distinguish Jesus followers from the unbelievers around them?
   
   
5. What frees them up to be different?
   
   
6. What is promised in verse 33? What must we do to receive this promise?
   
   
7. What does verse 34 tell us about daily struggles? Why do you think Jesus ended his words on worry with these sobering thoughts?
   
   

Three times in this passage, Jesus told his disciples not to worry. Ask God for the resolve to treat this as a command rather than take-it-or-leave-it advice.

Matthew 6:25-34

25"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? 27Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

28"And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, 29yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

31"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' 32These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

34"So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today."

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

You've told me, God, to give You my worries because You care about me. Help me hand them over.

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