Life Skills Bible Study Assorted Lessons Lesson 5
Worry – The Destruction of Strength and the Opposing Force to Prayer
Where does worry come from? Does it come from your parents? Does it come from the air? Does it come from your friends? I think we can agree that worry can’t exist outside of us. If it doesn’t exist outside of us, then how does it come into our life? Let’s set the stage by reading Isa 30: 15-22:
15This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. 16You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’ Therefore you will flee! You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’ Therefore your pursuers will be swift! 17A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee away, till you are left like a flagstaff on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.” 18Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!
19O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” 22Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!”
What does a life without worry consist of as stated in verse 15?
Why is repentance and trust so important in a person’s life?
What good comes from quietness and rest? Doesn’t this mean you will be bored and lazy? Does God say quietness and rest isn’t available? To whom does quietness and rest come to easily?
How many people do you know feel comfortable with apologizing and turning away from the things they have done, so as not to do the same thing again (repentance) and with trusting in someone or something other than themselves? And how many people feel comfortable with quietness and rest?
Have you ever been like the people described in verses 16-17? Is this an accurate description of how you have felt, of the way you’ve been left feeling inside when you’ve wanted more than what you’ve been given?
Now that we are in a place of worry what does it take to leave that place? Read verse 18-22.
What does God say He desires to do?
Does a desire to be gracious and a desire to show compassion sound like punishment?
How does God react when He hears you call for help and how quickly will he take action?
What kinds of actions will God take on your behalf?
What kind of path will God direct you to follow?
Finally, what or the idols that are talked about at the end of this reading?
Now, let’s talk about what Jesus says on worry. Read Mat 6:25-34, a part of Christ’s first sermon.
25"I tell you, do not worry. Don't worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don't worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn't there more to life than eating? Aren't there more important things for the body than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life*?" 28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Is Jesus’ statement in verse 25 a recommendation, a suggestion or a command? Explain.
How does Jesus rank life and body as opposed to food and clothes? Do you think this is a correct priority? Why might some people think what Jesus is saying is wrong?
How much extra time do you gain by worrying? Explain how your life is made more or less complete by worrying. Be sure to support your statements.
Talk about the times you have been in a flower garden or a field in the summer. Describe what you saw and share it with everyone. How do the colors and shades of colors compare to clothes you typically wear? Would you be happy to see your girlfriend or wife dressed in those types of colors? How do those flowers and grasses get to be so beautiful? Now that you’ve seen those flowers, do you think that much color was wasted? Explain your answer. Now, God says that you are more precious than the flowers. What kind of clothes can you get your hands on that will make you lovelier than the flowers in the field? What can you wear for God that will impress Him more than He is already impressed with you?
When you leave this place, what will be the thing you feel you will need to have? Do you think God is unable to provide it for you?
How does the fact that you don’t know God’s next step make you worry?
How familiar are you with what God has to say about you and the world? How does knowing about what God thinks about us and expects from us help us not to worry? Can it make us worry more? Explain.
What can you tell your children about worry? How can you help them to not worry? Give some ideas on ways to help a child stop worrying.
Worry thrives when strength and ability disappear. A Bible commentary stated that worry opposes prayer. Explain what this means. Do you agree or disagree? How can something like prayer remove worry?
Prayer: Dear Jesus, no worry I have is greater than your love. No worry I have is so large that you can’t take it from me. By your words, lift the worry from my heart. Give me the certainty that you are in control and that you are blessing me. Remind me that all things work together for good to those who love you. Help my heart to focus on your love and reflect that love in my life. In Jesus name, I pray.
Amen.
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