April 21st, 2024
by Tony Stephens
by Tony Stephens
God's Love Reigns Over Our Future
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:25-34 - "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
2. Romans 6:4 - "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
3. 1 Peter 5:7 - "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 6:25-34, what reasons does Jesus give for why we should not worry about our daily needs?
2. How does Jesus compare the care God has for nature to the care He has for humans in this passage?
3. What does Jesus suggest should be our primary focus instead of worrying about material needs?
4. According to Romans 6:4, what is the significance of being raised from the dead with Christ?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might understanding God's provision for nature help us trust Him more with our own needs as described in Matthew 6?
2. What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in the context of daily anxieties and needs?
3. How does the resurrection of Jesus, as mentioned in Romans 6:4, empower believers to live differently in the present?
4. In what ways does casting all your anxieties on God, as advised in 1 Peter 5:7, affect one's spiritual and emotional well-being?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your last week: What was one instance where you found yourself worried about a material need? How could you apply Matthew 6:33 to that situation next time?
2. Identify a daily routine or habit that often leads to anxiety. What is one practical step you can take to replace this habit with seeking God's kingdom first?
3. Considering Romans 6:4, how can you more fully embrace the 'newness of life' offered through Christ in your interactions at work or home this week?
4. Think of a specific worry you currently have. Commit to praying about it daily, casting it onto God as 1 Peter 5:7 suggests. What change do you hope to see in your perspective or situation as a result?
5. Choose one day this week to consciously refrain from worrying about tomorrow. Note down any changes in your stress levels or how you perceive God's care throughout the day.
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:25-34 - "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
2. Romans 6:4 - "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
3. 1 Peter 5:7 - "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 6:25-34, what reasons does Jesus give for why we should not worry about our daily needs?
2. How does Jesus compare the care God has for nature to the care He has for humans in this passage?
3. What does Jesus suggest should be our primary focus instead of worrying about material needs?
4. According to Romans 6:4, what is the significance of being raised from the dead with Christ?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might understanding God's provision for nature help us trust Him more with our own needs as described in Matthew 6?
2. What does it mean to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in the context of daily anxieties and needs?
3. How does the resurrection of Jesus, as mentioned in Romans 6:4, empower believers to live differently in the present?
4. In what ways does casting all your anxieties on God, as advised in 1 Peter 5:7, affect one's spiritual and emotional well-being?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your last week: What was one instance where you found yourself worried about a material need? How could you apply Matthew 6:33 to that situation next time?
2. Identify a daily routine or habit that often leads to anxiety. What is one practical step you can take to replace this habit with seeking God's kingdom first?
3. Considering Romans 6:4, how can you more fully embrace the 'newness of life' offered through Christ in your interactions at work or home this week?
4. Think of a specific worry you currently have. Commit to praying about it daily, casting it onto God as 1 Peter 5:7 suggests. What change do you hope to see in your perspective or situation as a result?
5. Choose one day this week to consciously refrain from worrying about tomorrow. Note down any changes in your stress levels or how you perceive God's care throughout the day.
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