Reversing The Cycle of Fear (Matthew 6:25-34)

13/10/2024 - Jamie Haxby






Study Guide: Reversing The Cycle of Fear (Matthew 6:25-34)

Study Guide: Reversing The Cycle of Fear (Matthew 6:25-34)

Bible Passage:

Matthew 6:25-34 – “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Main Points from the Sermon:

1. Worry Achieves Nothing:

  • 97% of our worries never come to pass, which makes worry unproductive and unnecessary.
  • “Who by worrying can add a single hour to their life?” (v.27).
  • Worry drains our energy, robs our joy, and weighs us down.

2. Worry Comes from Trying to Control:

  • Worry often comes from our desire to be in control, to be “like God,” trying to know and do everything.
  • We try to be omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent (all present, all knowing, all powerful), but these are attributes only God holds.
  • Technology, though useful, often feeds this illusion of control, adding more worries.

3. Worry Is Rooted in Fear:

  • The enemy’s tactic is to lie and deceive us into believing we need to take control.
  • Fear builds defense mechanisms and negative thinking patterns that control us and keep us from fully trusting God.

4. Surrender to God and Seek His Kingdom:

  • Jesus’ command to not worry is linked to the call to serve God and trust Him fully.
  • Birds and flowers trust their Creator and live within their limits—they don’t strive to be more than what they are.
  • When we trust God to provide for our needs, we can release control and experience peace.

Discussion Points:

1. Worry as a Waste of Time:

How does worrying affect your daily life, energy, and relationships?

Reflect on Jesus’ question: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (v.27). What does this tell us about the nature of worry?

2. Control and Fear:

In what ways do you try to take control in your life? How does this relate to fear?

How does technology contribute to our sense of control or lack of control?

3. Surrender to God:

What does it look like to truly trust God with your worries and needs?

How can we seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness (v.33) in practical ways?

4. Living as a New Creation:

How does understanding your identity in Christ help you overcome worry?

Reflect on the truth that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). How does this truth challenge your mindset?

Application Questions:

1. Identifying Worries:

Take a moment to think about one thing you are currently worried about. How can you surrender that worry to God?

2. Trusting God in Specific Areas:

Where in your life do you feel the need to control? How can you begin to let go of control and trust God’s provision?

3. Practical Steps:

Jesus tells us to focus on today’s problems, not tomorrow’s worries (v.34). What is one practical step you can take this week to trust God in the present moment?

4. Breaking the Cycle of Fear:

Fear builds negative patterns and defenses in our lives. What habits or defenses do you need to dismantle to live in the peace and freedom God offers?

Prayer Prompts:

  • Thanksgiving: Thank God for His provision and for being in control, even when life feels overwhelming.
  • Surrender: Ask God to help you surrender control of the areas you are holding onto in fear.
  • Trust: Pray for a deeper trust in God’s goodness and provision, especially in areas where you feel anxious or uncertain.
  • Freedom from Fear: Ask God to break any patterns of fear or worry in your life and replace them with His peace, love, and sound mind.


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Psalm 119:114

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