Today Pastor A preached about fear and worry, in particular the command not to fear or worry. He notes that fear is something that isn’t just a personality flaw, but is sin. When we fear something or worry about someone we fail to trust God and his sovereign rule. This failure to trust him is sin. He also described fear as that which can enslave us. Just think of some of the better known phobias people struggle with today. These phobias can keep people from doing certain activities. They place limitations on some people, so much so, in some cases, that they are paralyzed with fear and thus a slave to their phobia. In Luke chapter 12, Jesus’ main line of thought to his disciples is putting ones trust in God for everything. In Luke 12:22–34, Jesus instructs us not to fear certain things and to focus our attention on other things. Let’s look at them now.

1. Don’t Be Anxious About Food (Luke 12:22–24, 29–30) “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. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24Consider 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…29And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.”

1. What is the first reason Jesus gives for not worrying about food (v. 23)?
2. What is the second and third reason Jesus gives for not worrying about food (v. 24)?
3. What is the last reason Jesus gives for not worrying about food (v. 30)?
4. What kind of confidence does this give you trust the Father to meet your needs? What about confidence to pray to him?

2. Don’t Be Anxious About Your Body (Luke 12:22–23, 25–26) “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing…25And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?”

1. What is the first reason Jesus gives for not worrying about your body (v. 25)?
2. What is something about your body that you are anxious about? In light of that, how would you answer Jesus question in v. 26, “why are you anxious about the rest?”

3. Don’t Be Anxious About Clothes (Luke 12:22–23, 27–28) “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing…27Consider 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. 28But 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!”

1. What is the first reason Jesus gives for not worrying about clothes (v. 23)?
2. What is the second reason Jesus gives for not worrying about clothes (vv. 27–28)?
4. Seek the Kingdom of Heaven (Luke 12:31–34) 31“Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell 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. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

1. What are we to do instead of worrying (v. 31)? What can we expect if we do this? Notice that those who seek God’s kingdom are those who are a part of the kingdom. In the Gospels the “kingdom of God/heaven” is the dynamic and experienced reign and kingly rule of God. People come into God’s kingdom by believing the gospel or good news of the kingdom. Although only partly experienced now through the life of the church, God’s kingdom will come in fullness at Jesus’ second coming.
2. What reason does Jesus give not to fear (v. 32)? Knowing what you know about God’s kingdom, why is this good news? Think how this is good news now and for the future.
3. Why does Jesus encourage us to sell our possessions and give to the needy (v. 33)? Does this mean we are to sell everything we have? Does the text even say this? What point is Jesus trying to get across here (v. 33)?
4. What does our care for earthly things (our possessions) say about where our heart is (v. 34)? Is this healthy?

Application
1. Take some time sharing some of the things you have the most difficulty trusting the Lord with. Why is this? What can you do to trust him more with these things?
2. How do you view money and possessions? How might they be used to further the extent of God’s kingdom? What does your view or value on possessions say about your relationship with Jesus? What can you do to adjust this?