Anxiety Study - Facilitator Discussion Guide (Plan to Take Around 45 Min?)

Anxiety Study - Facilitator Discussion Guide (plan to take around 45 min?)

Opening Question:

• Q: Do you ever have “stress dreams?” What do they tend to be like? Any particularly memorable ones?

• Read Luke 12:22-34 together (have printouts and/or extra bibles!)

• Q: According to this passage, we are told not to worry about “food, clothes or your body.” Of all the things that could be on this list, why do you think Jesus picked those examples?

Q: How might the realization of “life is more than food and the body more than clothes” impact our stress/anxiety?

• Q: What do you think we learn about God from this passage?

Q: Do you think this passage says anything about the “root” or the “core problem” behind the worry/anxiety in our lives?

In this passage, Jesus talks about the “Kingdom” in contrast to worry. But what is the Kingdom? Definition: The Kingdom of God represents wherever God’s authority or Kingship is acknowledged, recognized and followed.

◦ Q: With this definition in mind, what does it look like to “seek first the Kingdom” instead of worry (vs 31)? How is this supposed to help us?

Q: What do you think Jesus means by vs 31-34? How does it relate to the rest of the passage?

Q: What are some things that are causing you anxiety right now?

PRAYER REQUESTS idea:  Give everyone a notecard and have them write down 1 or 2 sentences about the things that they are worried about.  Then exchange cards with the person on your right/left

 Go around and have each one pray a simple prayer asking God to help that person with their anxiety.  Allow people to pass (give their card to someone comfortable praying out loud)

 This allows everyone to get prayed for but doesn’t require people to come up with their own words & ideas. Hopefully it will be not very intimidating.