Summer on the Mount:
Let’s spend the Summer on the Mount. Live Oak’s Summer series will dive deep and dig into the longest recorded sermon of Jesus, the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7. It’s only 100 verses, but it is rich, insightful and even surprising as Jesus teaches us about what the Kingdom of God is like. Join us starting Sunday, June 1, for Summer on the Mount.
Week 9: Matthew 6:25-34 – Turn Your Worry Into Worship
In Matthew 6:25-34, Jesus teaches us that we don’t need to worry in this world because we have a Heavenly Father who loves us, cares for us, and values us more than all of creation.
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
Don’t forget about our School Supply Drive benefitting the Lubbock Children’s Home. It’s concludes on Sunday, August 3. Details can be found here: https://live-oak.org/church-news/school-supply-drive/
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- Let’s dive right into the deep end!
What gives you anxiety? What are some things you worry about? (It’s ok if you spend a lot of time on this question. Encourage your group to be vulnerable and transparent. Model it by going first if needed) - How do you typically respond to your worries? How do you deal with/manage your anxiety?
- How does your anxiety affect your relationships? Your work? Your mind? Your physical and emotional health?
READ: Matthew 6:25-34.
- Observations: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage?
- How would you summarize this passage in one sentence?
- How do the metaphors of the birds and the flowers help us understand the way the Father views us?
- Jesus says your life is more than food. In what way is life more than food? How does that help us in our anxiety in regard to food?
READ: Philippians 4:6-7
- Why do we not need to be anxious about anything? How do we do that?
- What does it mean for the peace of God to guard your heart and mind?
READ: 1 Peter 5:7
- What does it look like to cast all your anxiety upon Him?
- How does that change you?
Clay said, “you will have worry, but it’s about what you do with that worry that makes all the difference”.
- How does this help you approach your worries?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we have learned. What is your next step?Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus..”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying to your Heavenly Father who loves you, cares for you, and values you. Bring your worries to Him. Pray to the Lord to take your worries and turn them into worship.
Scripture References:
Matthew 6:24, 25-34; Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7; John 16:33; Psalm 94:14; Proverbs 12:25; Ephesians 2:10