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Jesus teaches about worry in Luke 12.
Do you have a particular recurring dream that alerts you to dread in your life?
What do you most often worry about?
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In the previous section, Luke 12:13-21, Jesus warns about greed by telling the parable of the rich fool. Verses 22-34 flow naturally from this topic, as Jesus tells His disciples that in contrast to greed, they can trust God to provide for their needs.
In the previous section, Luke 12:13-21, Jesus warns about greed by telling the parable of the rich fool. Verses 22-34 flow naturally from this topic, as Jesus tells His disciples that in contrast to greed, they can trust God to provide for their needs.
When we focus on this world rather than the kingdom of God, not trusting the Father to provide what we need, we experience worry and fear and we miss out on finding joy in His provision for us.
When we focus on this world rather than the kingdom of God, not trusting the Father to provide what we need, we experience worry and fear and we miss out on finding joy in His provision for us.
All Scripture quotations from the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.
And He said to His disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, 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, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!”
Jesus has just been talking about greed. How does greed relate to worry?
In vv. 24-28, Jesus illustrates two main lessons about worry. What are they?
How have you experienced those lessons?
In the first century, worry would have been focused on food and clothing (12:22). What are today’s big worries?
In what ways have you already seen God provide and take care of you?
Given how you’ve seen God provide and take care of you, why do you think you still struggle with worry?
If Jesus stopped His sermon at 12:28, would you have the instruction you need to stop worrying? Why or why not?
In this passage, Jesus addresses the mind as He unravels how illogical worry is.
Ceasing to worry is much easier said than done. Most people know they shouldn’t worry but don’t seem to have the ability to stop. So in the next section, Jesus deals with the root of worry — the heart.
And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
In 12:29, Jesus warns about setting our hearts on these issues that cause us to worry. How is worry a problem of the heart?
What does Jesus teach as the cure for worry?
What does seeking His kingdom involve personally? Relationally? In ministry?
Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
This is weird advice. How does it apply to worry?
Can you think of a time when Jesus was worried?
What did He do in that circumstance?
Is there something you are currently “running after” like the pagans in v. 30?
Jesus paints a beautiful picture of the Father’s tender care for us. Think about the things that worry you in relation to this picture. What might look different in your life if you were to experience this at a heart level?
What do you need to give away that would demonstrate trust, refocus your heart and help you to see God’s provision?
We need to change our thinking about worry. However, without changing the focus of our hearts, our thinking will not change. But…
Our hearts rarely redirect on their own without us taking practical steps. Those steps involve seeking God’s kingdom and trusting Him to provide. So…
Jesus directs us to give away what we worry about and elevate the value of the things we cannot lose.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.”
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