Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You for being with us today. Help us slow down, listen to Your Word, and open our hearts to trust You with our worries. Amen.
Scripture Reading
- 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? Look 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? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If 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—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
- “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? Look 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? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Context & Exposition
In this passage, Jesus is teaching during the Sermon on the Mount about what life in God’s kingdom looks like. He tells His followers not to worry about food, clothes, or tomorrow—not because these things don’t matter, but because our Heavenly Father already knows what we need.
Jesus points to birds and flowers as reminders of God’s faithful care. If God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, we can trust that He loves and cares for us even more. Jesus invites us to “seek first His kingdom,” meaning we put God at the center of our hearts, decisions, and daily life instead of trying to control everything ourselves.
Jesus points to birds and flowers as reminders of God’s faithful care. If God feeds the birds and clothes the flowers, we can trust that He loves and cares for us even more. Jesus invites us to “seek first His kingdom,” meaning we put God at the center of our hearts, decisions, and daily life instead of trying to control everything ourselves.
Discussion Questions
You can choose a few questions based on your family's ages and your timeframe.
- What are some things people commonly worry about?
- Why do you think Jesus tells us to look at the birds and flowers? What can they teach us about God?
- What is the difference between wise planning and worrying?
- The sermon said anxiety often comes from trying to control the future. What is something you sometimes try to control?
- What does it mean to “seek first God’s kingdom” in our family, school, work, friendships, or daily routines?
- Why is it important not to carry our worries alone? Who are people God has given us to help carry our burdens?
Reflection
- For Young Children (roughly ages 4–8)
- God takes care of birds, flowers, and you! When you feel scared or worried, you can talk to God because He loves you and is always near.
- Ask: What is one thing you want to tell God about today?
- For Older Children (roughly ages 9–12)
- Sometimes we worry because we forget that God is in charge. Jesus reminds us that God knows what we need and invites us to trust Him one day at a time.
- Ask: What is one worry you can give to God this week?
- For Teens
- Anxiety often grows when our identity or security is tied to things like grades, performance, friendships, approval, money, or the future. Jesus does not shame us for feeling anxious; He invites us to re-center our hearts on God, trust His provision, and live today with Him instead of trying to control tomorrow.
- Ask: Where might anxiety be revealing something you are depending on more than God?
Activity
Title: “The Worry Jar and the Trust Cross”
Main Point: God sees what is done in secret, and fasting trains us to love Him and others.
Materials Needed:
Instructions:
Main Point:
Main Point: God sees what is done in secret, and fasting trains us to love Him and others.
Materials Needed:
- Small slips of paper
- Pens or crayons
- A jar, bowl, or box
- A cross, Bible, or a piece of paper with the word “Jesus” written on it
Instructions:
- Give each family member a slip of paper.
- Have everyone write or draw one worry they are carrying. Younger children can draw a picture instead of writing.
- Place all the worries into the jar or bowl.
- Put the jar near the cross, Bible, or paper labeled “Jesus.”
- As a family, say: “God, we give these worries to You because You love us and hold tomorrow.”
- Leave the jar there for the week as a reminder that your worries belong in God’s hands, not just yours.
Main Point:
- We can honestly bring our worries to God and trust Him with what we cannot control.
Action Step Prayer
Lord, show us where we are carrying worry instead of trusting You. Help us notice when anxiety is pulling our hearts away from You. Give us courage to surrender our fears, seek Your kingdom first, and share our burdens with trusted people instead of carrying them alone. Amen.
Takeaway
Anxiety often grows when we try to control tomorrow, but Jesus invites us to trust our Heavenly Father one day at a time. This week, when worry rises, pause, pray, and re-center your heart on God’s care and kingdom.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You that You know what we need before we even ask. Remind us this week that You care for us more than the birds and flowers, and that our lives are safe in Your hands. Help our family trust You with today and tomorrow. In Jesus’ name, amen.