Scripture passage: Mark 3:13-19
Initiate
A video introduction using illustrations, personal stories, metaphors, or active learning examples to begin the discussion.
Interact
After the video, prompts are supplied for thinking and sharing with others personal perception and experience. This opening activity prompts participants to think about and relate to the topic, and to share with others.
The following list is collected from several research groups. Consider the things that young people are anxious about.
If you were to circle or identify the top three, what would you select? Why? What would you add to this list?
- Grades and success
- Health concerns
- Fitting In
- Physical appearance
- Romantic relationships
- Bullying
- Family Issues
- Failing
- Their future
- The world
- Financial uncertainty
- College
- Driving
- Missing out on the things in life
How does Jesus say we should go about approaching life with “No Worry”?
Insight
The Bible discussion begins with a careful reading of the whole passage, either from your own Bibles, or from the provided images below.
Then participants are to ask:
- What is going on in this passage of Scripture?
- What are the key words and phrases? Highlight them.
- Why do you think this passage is included in the Bible?
- What does it contribute to our “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ”?
Today’s Scripture passage: Matthew 6:31-34
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
So many things have changed over the centuries, but worry is a timeless part of our human story. Why do you think this is true? We still struggle with what we have and don’t have, and we still worry about what we know and don’t know about the future.
What do pagans (those who don’t believe in God) worry about? For the most part, their orientation is to take care of themselves and trust fake deities to change their situation.
Jesus uses the examples of food, drink, clothes, birds, and flowers to illustrate God’s care for people.
- How does “God’s knowing” of your struggles impact your view of God’s character?
- How do you feel about Him when life’s problems are not miraculously solved?
- Do you move closer to God with trust or allow distance to grow between you and Christ?
When life becomes challenging, it’s crucial to draw closer to Christ and not farther away from Him. Worry isolates and disconnects us, but trust comes when we keep focused on Christ.
Everyone is going to face hard times, and God isn’t going to fix every situation to our liking. But knowing Christ and living His best plan for us begins with seeking Him first.
Insight Out
A parting video clip with a personal invitation to apply the message to “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ” in the coming week.