Jesus’ words about worry, anxiety, and trust can sometimes seem out of reach. How do we live with real faith like this?
Matthew 6:25-34
Sermon Outline
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Why Worry? (6:25, 27, 28, 31, 34)
- What is worry?
- Why do we worry?
- What does worry accomplish?
- The difference between worry and work
What Preoccupies Us? (6:25)
- Preoccupation with food and clothes (6:25-34)
- Preoccupation with treasure (6:19-24)
- Preoccupation with human reward (6:1-18)
- The disciple is not preoccupied, but occupied with something else
Take a Good Look at and Learn from the Birds and Wildflowers (6:26, 28-30)
- The well-provided birds
- The best-dressed wildflowers
- The care of God the Father
- If that is true for them, then what for us?
Disciples’ Faith and Priority (6:33)
- Living by faith in God the Father
- Prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness
Making It Real
- Perspective: the uselessness of worry and the power of faith
- Provision: trusting God the Father for what we need
- Priority: living for God’s kingdom and righteousness first
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- 1. What is your favorite animal or plant, and why?
- This week as we continue our series, “BecomingReal,” on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount we will look at Matthew 6:25-34. Begin your study in prayer by asking God to speak to you through His Word and then, whether you are alone or with a group, read that passage aloud.
- Jesus’ teaching on worry here specifically focuses on food and clothing, as verse 25 makes clear. How do the examples of birds (vs 26) and wildflowers (vss 28-30) illuminate what Jesus is trying to say about worrying over food and clothing?
- One person has said that God doesn’t drop food in birds’ beaks, but they have to do a lot of work to get their food. While that may be different for wildflowers, do you think there is a difference between worrying over something and working for something?
- According to verse 30, the opposite of worry is faith. How does God the Father’s care for us relate to our faith?
- How have you seen God’s care in your own life? How has that strengthened your faith?
- Step back for a moment to consider Jesus’ teaching on worry throughout this passage. What does Jesus specifically say about worry here? (Take a look at verses 25, 27, 28, 31, and 34.)
- Have you ever experienced a struggle with worry in your own life? How might Jesus’ words here impact the way you approach worrying?
- According to verse 33, disciples of Jesus should be fixated on something else. What is it? How does this relate to disciples’ focus in their religious practice (6:1-18) and their relationship with treasure (6:19-24)?
- What do you think that it looks like for you not to worry but to live by faith seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness first?
- What is one thing God is speaking to you through this study of Matthew 6:19-24? If you’re on your own, write that down and pray over that this week. If you are with a small group, share your answers with one another before closing in prayer.
DIG DEEPER
- Consider memorizing Matthew 6:25 or 6:33 this week.
- Take some time this week to go on a walk or sit outdoors. While you do that notice the beauty of creation around you, especially the birds and the wildflowers. Let your consideration of them lead you into prayer, laying your worries down and choosing to trust God with your life. Perhaps you could use Philippians 4:6-7 as a basis for your prayer.
- Consider exploring some of these articles on themes related to this passage:
- Tim Chester, “What John Stott Learned about Theology from Bird-Watching”
- “Mind Your Heart,” The Table, issue 2 (Fall 2013)