Bible Studies for Life: Adults - Preview Guide by LifeWay Christian Resources

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Preview Guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Letter from Editor

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Discipleship Pathway. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 (Our Bible Studies for Life Philosophy)

How It Helps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 How it Works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Ordering Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Adult Personal Study Guide Sample .

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Adult Leader Guide Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 (for use with the Personal Study Guide)

Adult Daily Discipleship Guide Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Adult Daily Discipleship Guide Leader Guide Sample . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 2019-20 Study Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Available Resources .

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FROM THE EDITOR It’s important to know what God reveals through His Word, but knowledge by itself falls short. God desires for His truth to transform our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions. And when our study of God’s Word meets us right where we live, we’re on the road to growing in Christ. That’s discipleship—and that is the ultimate goal of Bible study. Discipleship is the driving force behind Bible Studies for Life. Discipleship is a lifelong journey toward Christlikeness, and Bible Studies for Life is our companion on this journey. As we dig into the gospel, the history, the doctrines, and the issues facing the men and women in the pages of Scripture, Bible Studies for Life keeps circling through the attributes of a disciple, taking us ever further down the path of discipleship.

THE BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE TEAM Ken Braddy, Manager Lynn Pryor, Team Leader Brian Gass, Adult Editor Amber Vaden, Daily Discipleship Guide Content Editor Chris Johnson, Senior Adult Content Editor Tim Lynch, Commentary Content Editor Curtis Honts, Commentary Content Editor Lee Bailey, Production Editor

In this preview guide, we want to introduce you to the resources that take you on this journey. You’ll discover two essential starting points—a Personal Study Guide and a Daily Discipleship Guide. Either option looks at the same passages and focuses on the same aspects of discipleship, but each approaches it in slightly different ways. You can choose which path best serves your group as they journey toward Christlikeness. Bible Studies for Life has been transformative in my life and in the lives of those I lead. I am confident it will do the same for you.

Dawn Woods, Production Editor Darin Clark, Graphic Design Specialist

Lynn Pryor Team Leader lynn.pryor@lifeway.com

DISCIPLESHIP PATHWAY Our Bible Studies for Life Philosophy

Discipleship is the lifestyle of walking with God. As church leaders, we need to give followers of Jesus a pathway to walk on as they become more like Jesus and advance His kingdom. The Discipleship Pathway is built on three characteristics:

Centered on the Gospel True discipleship not only begins with the gospel, it’s fueled and refreshed by the gospel on a moment-by-moment basis. The Discipleship Pathway, therefore, never moves beyond the gospel.

Expanding in Scope True discipleship is expansive in nature, both in us and through us. God’s work expands in us as we personally become more like Jesus in thought, mind, and action. God’s work also expands through us as we seek to bring others on the pathway with us.

Displayed in Real Life True discipleship results in practical change. Those walking the Discipleship Pathway will behave differently because they are being transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Every pathway has signposts—markers to show a person’s progress on the pathway. Our research has identified eight signposts of discipleship that our Bible Studies for Life: Adults studies are built upon. These are lifestyle patterns that ought to be growing in ever-increasing measure the longer a person walks the pathway of discipleship.

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GOSPEL EXERCISE FAITH

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HOW IT HELPS 1

TH E PO I NT

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

Do you ever wish you could just stop worrying and fixating on things you can’t control? I do. Jesus gave us the key, and it all has to do with our focus. When our focus is on the world, worry is usually the result, but when we focus on Christ . . . well, that changes everything. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called us to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. After that, everything else falls into place.

A Centered Life 14

S E S S ION 1

THE P OINT

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

Matthew 6:33-34 33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

“Seek first.” The word Jesus used for “seek” is zeteo, which means to desire and pursue. We are not seeking something that is hidden; instead, we are pursuing the things of God with a passion wherein it’s our highest priority. Instead of being consumed with the temporary things of this world, we are called to be consumed with a desire for God and for the things of God. It’s not that the cares of this life are unimportant; even Jesus invited us to pray for these things: “Give us today our daily bread” (v. 11). As we focus on Christ and pursue Him with obedience, He takes care of everything else.

Question 4:

What does it look like to seek God’s kingdom first?

Question 1:

What are some things you never worry about anymore?

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

This does not mean that if you seek God wholeheartedly, you will have whatever you want. Consider how that idea of prosperity plays out in other parts of the world. There are countless believers who live in poverty. Jesus’ words do not promise American prosperity but God’s provision. He takes care

of His children. Seeking God gives us proper perspective. Jesus promised that each day will have enough trouble of its own. We cannot escape the troubled day, but we can escape worry. Today, focus on Christ. Make Him first. We can think about tomorrow . . . well, tomorrow. Jesus was not speaking against planning or preparation for the future. My wife and I have four children and we are planning for their future. We have started college funds, we pray for their salvation, we pray for their purity, we pray for the right friends to enter their lives, and we pray for their spouses. After we plan, prepare, and pray, we leave the unknowns of the future in the hands of our Father. Without a focus on Christ, it’s easy to be terrified of what this world will do to our sweet children. We have a decision to make: will we be paralyzed by fear of tomorrow’s unknowns, or will we choose to seek the kingdom of God? It’s a daily choice to trust the sovereign and loving God who sits on His throne.

Question 5:

How can our group help one another prioritize the kingdom of God?

S E S S ION 1

1. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE • Each study starts with an issue we face and shows how we address it from God’s Word. • The entire study is focused on one key point that connects the Bible to our lives.

2 THE POI NT

WH AT DO E S TH E B I B LE SAY ? Matthew 6:25-30 “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?” 25

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us a sobering reminder of where the heart and mind of the believer could end up when our focus is on the physical rather than the spiritual. A wrong focus leads to a wrong state of mind which leads to anxiety and worry. “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life.” Easier said than done, right? But it’s an important word from Jesus, and His use of “I tell you” is to get us to pay close attention to what He was saying. Let’s not lose sight of the fact that we are hearing these words from the mouth of the

Creator. The Creator of the universe, the One who put the stars in place, the One who controls the oceans, the One who holds the world in the palm of His hand was telling us, “Do not worry!” You would think that would be enough to cure us of worry, but it often isn’t. When we worry, it’s because we have allowed our minds to focus and live in disbelief.

But what do we actually achieve if we attain all these things? Sitting right next to us in our nice homes is a void, a hopelessness, and a lack of peace. None of these things truly satisfy; we’re left hungry and thirsty for more. It boils down to a matter of trust: without Christ, our trust is in the wrong place. Trust should be placed in God who does what is best for us. Consider how God provided for our greatest need. We are sinners in need of a Savior. God saw that need and sent His Son, His greatest treasure. God provided the perfect lamb for imperfect people. And we didn’t have anything to do with that provision!

Matthew 6:31-32

Question 3:

When has God provided for you in an unexpected way?

When we place our faith in Jesus, we are trusting that our greatest need was met. And since God has taken care of our biggest need, we can trust Him to take care of all our needs! God does not have a hearing problem. He hears our requests (Ps. 66:18-20). God does not have a providing problem. He owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Ps. 50:10). God does not have a timing problem. He provides what we need when we need it (Prov. 3:5-6).

Their trust is in their own ability to provide for themselves.

Question 2:

What kinds of things cause people to worry?

Many of these things are not inherently bad—a nice home, a new car, a big salary—but we tend to let these things define us. Our trust is in our own ability to perform in order to get what we need or want.

understand why God would love them when they are so flawed and sinful. But Jesus painted a wholly different picture of our heavenly Father as One who takes care of the birds and adorns the flowers yet loves us so much more. In spite of our sinfulness, God loves and values us deeply. That wonderful truth should change our perspective and, therefore, cure any worry.

31 “So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

Problems begin to arise in our lives when we allow our concern for physical needs to take priority over our spiritual needs. Jesus was clearly telling us that life is more than that.

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

So why shouldn’t we worry when life seems overwhelming with so many unmet demands? Verse 26 tells us why, and the reason is tied to the great value we have in the eyes of our Father. Sometimes it’s truly hard to comprehend that God loves us as His children. Some of us have not had the greatest father figures, and some of us have had no fathers at all. Others cannot

If there is a problem, it’s with us. It’s a faith problem. He called us “You of little faith.” Worry is simply a product of not trusting God. The good news is that we do not have to stay faithless!

Without Christ, our minds are consumed with living the American dream. Accumulation is the name of the game. We seek the things of this world to give us identity and value.

S E S S ION 1

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

Engage

THE POI NT

CENTERED IN CHRIST Reflect on the common areas of life listed below. Consider the circles as levels of concern in your life. Place the letter beside each word from the list onto the circle that represents its importance based on the amount of attention you give it.

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

LIV E IT OUT How will you actively seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? Consider the following applications: Confess. In order to overcome worry, confess the areas where you struggle to trust God. Admit your struggles with worry and allow God to begin working in you.

Memorize. Hold strongly to the promises of God and memorize Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Continually remind yourself of God’s promise to provide. Share. Find someone you trust and share the things that cause you to worry and the areas of your life where you lack a trust in God. Invite this friend to pray with you and for you. It may feel at times as if worry is inevitable and you’re drowning in anxiety. Worry may have a way of worming its ugly head into your life, but it doesn’t have to consume you. Make a daily decision to pursue the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

A. Work B. Family Time C. Recreation D. Rest E. House Maintenance F. Church Life G. Christ H. Other: _______________ If Jesus is not in the center, offer a prayer of repentance and commitment to give Christ Lordship in your life.

“We sin not because we do not love Christ at all but because we don’t love him above all.” BRYA N C H A PEL L

1 Roni Caryn Rabin, “Worried? You’re Not Alone,” New York Times, May 9, 2016, http://well.blogs.nytimes. com/2016/05/09/worried-youre-not-alone.

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

S E S S ION 1

2. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

3. LIVE IT OUT

• In a conversational tone, the Bible is studied for what God has said about the life issue. • The overall study is broken into bite-sized content to strengthen our ability to understand the meaning of the passage. • Questions are used during the group study to guide the discussion of God’s Word. • A single activity engages our thinking on a different level as we seek to connect the Bible to life.

• Three specific application ideas are provided—there’s something for everyone. • One idea is relatively easy, especially for those new to the faith or new to the group. • The other application ideas call for more commitment.

HOW IT WORKS STU DY TH E B I B LE 15 MINUTES

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 6:33-34 on page 18 of the PSG.

RECAP: The word Jesus used for “seek” is zeteo, which means to desire and pursue. We are not seeking something that is hidden; instead, we are pursuing the things of God with a passion wherein it’s our highest priority. Instead of being consumed with the temporary things of this world, we are called to be consumed with a desire for God and for the things of God. It’s not that the cares of this life are unimportant; even Jesus invited us to pray for these things: “Give us today our daily bread” (v. 11). As we focus on Christ and pursue Him with obedience, He takes care of everything else. ALTERNATE QUESTION:

How can we follow Jesus’ wisdom not to worry about tomorrow yet still plan for the future?

GUIDE: Use the Commentary for the verses on the next page of this Leader Guide to explain what Jesus meant by the “kingdom of God.” DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 18 of the PSG: “What does it look like to seek God’s kingdom first?” RECAP: This does not mean that if you seek God wholeheartedly, you will have whatever you want. Consider how that idea of prosperity plays out in other parts of the world. There are countless believers who live in poverty. Jesus’ words do not promise American prosperity but God’s provision. He takes care of His children. Seeking God gives us proper perspective. Jesus promised that each day will have enough trouble of its own. We cannot escape the troubled day, but we can escape worry. Today, focus on Christ. Make Him first. We can think about tomorrow . . . well, tomorrow. DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 18 of the PSG: “How can our group help one another prioritize the kingdom of God?” DO: Direct group members to Engage with “Centered in Christ,” on page 19 of the PSG (page 25 in this Leader Guide) to help them reflect on their own priorities and make application. GUIDE: Refer back to “The Point” for this session: “When your life is centered in Christ, you will find all you need.”

S e S S ion 1

1. GROUP PLAN Clear directives and simple instructions are provided to help the leader guide a discussion based on Scripture. • The five discussion questions from the Personal Study Guide are referenced, and alternate questions are provided. • The leader is instructed in how to use “Engage” from the Personal Study Guide as a part of the group study. • Leader Pack posters and handouts—designed to generate questions and further discussion—are referenced in the group plan.

2 T H E P OIN T

LIVE IT OUT

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

Matthew 6:33-34 Commentary [VERSE 33] We make the best use of our lives when we have a target. We can take aim at the target with our thoughts, words, and actions. In that way, we can make a difference each day. What’s our aim in life? If it isn’t worrying about what we need, then what’s the center of our lives? Jesus asserted that our target is the kingdom of God. He directs us to seek it. In other words, it’s the target we aim for each day. Believers are “already but not yet” people. We’ve already given our lives to Christ and live in the absolute certainty we belong to Him. Furthermore, we readily rejoice in the confidence He will never leave us and heaven is our home. But we’re not there yet. Neither have we arrived at complete spiritual maturity yet. We’re making progress, but we have not finished the journey. Thus, each day finds us centering our lives in Christ so we will be useful citizens of the kingdom of God. It’s a kingdom composed of people who belong to Him. Knowing Him better and serving Him more faithfully is what we seek to do each day. As Jesus helped us identify the target of our lives, He directed us to His righteousness. Being righteous means being right with Him. Being right with Him begins by trusting in Him. That was true for Abraham (Gen. 15:6), and it’s true for us too (Rom. 4:16-25). Accordingly, when we seek His righteousness, our thoughts turn to living by faith in Him. When we set God’s kingdom and righteousness as our daily target, we learn to place our lives in His hands in complete trust that He’ll provide what we need. As our trust in Him grows stronger, we see our troubles with worry subside. Instead, we’re more centered on the Lord Himself. Jesus assured us that when we take the path He directed in this verse, everything in our lives will fall into place. We’ll learn to see more clearly what we need and trust Him more completely to make it available for us. That’s when we’re able to live in the confidence He’ll never fail us.

5 MINUTES

[VERSE 34] Once more, we’re drawn to the first word in the verse: therefore. It challenges us to reflect on what He has taught about centering our lives in Him. It prompts us to put into practice what we’ve learned. He guides us to think simply and clearly about tomorrow. Jesus knows we tend to get anxious about what we need today but do not have on hand. He’s also fully aware we let ourselves get worried about what we’ll need tomorrow too. We can become consumed with anxiety over what may or may not happen when the sun rises in the morning. Then we burden ourselves with stress as we ponder the notion of tomorrow’s coming with all the uncertainties about what it’s going to hold for us.

GUIDE: Direct group members to page 20 of the PSG. Encourage them to choose one of the following applications to carry out this week.

Confess. In order to overcome worry, confess the areas where you struggle to trust God. Admit your struggles with worry and allow God to begin working in you.

Share. Find someone you trust and share the things that cause you to worry and the areas of your life where you lack a trust in God. Invite this friend to pray with you and for you.

Wrap It Up

TRANSITION: Read or restate the final paragraph from page 20 of the PSG. It may feel at times as if worry is inevitable and you’re drowning in anxiety. Worry may have a way of worming its ugly head into your life, but it doesn’t have to consume you. Make a daily decision to pursue the kingdom of God and His righteousness. PRAY: Conclude by thanking the Lord for meeting all of our needs in His time and in His way. Ask Him for the faith to set our hearts on the kingdom of God and the faith to trust in Him daily for everything else.

What matters is today. Yesterday has left; tomorrow might never arrive. We only have today. Trusting Him for what we need today makes good sense for growing believers. Living with simplicity means we don’t allow ourselves to become victims of worry about tomorrow. Instead we take to heart the reality of His presence today and the certainty of His care for us so we can live for Him in the present. We have no better choice than to center our lives in Christ by trusting Him today and tomorrow.

Free additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

S e S S ion 1

2. COMMENTARY

3. APPLICATION

Commentary gives the leader a deeper understanding of the people, places, and Bible customs mentioned in the passage.

Group session ends with “Live It Out,“ challenging group members to live out the point of the study. Three practical suggestions are provided.

ORDERING GUIDE e ADU LTS ipleship Guid Daily Disc FALL 2019

CSB

1: Study Simplicity: tment Conten Finding Life in a Busy 2: Study Know How to God’s Will

STUDY BEFORE AND LEARN/DISCUSS AT THE GROUP MEETING

LEARN/DISCUSS AT THE GROUP MEETING AND STUDY AFTER

PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE

DAILY DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE

Order one per group member.

Includes daily devotionals. Order one per group member, including the leader.

SEE PAGE 11 FOR SAMPLE SESSION.

SEE PAGE 31 FOR SAMPLE SESSION.

LEADER GUIDE Order one per leader.

LEADER PACK

SEE PAGE 20 FOR SAMPLE SESSION.

Provides a variety of visual aids, promo videos for each study, and customizable Leader Guide content.

LEADER PACK Provides a variety of visual aids, promo videos for each study, and customizable Leader Guide content.

MEET LESS FREQUENTLY OR TAKE SEASONAL BREAKS

ADULTS GROUP BOX Includes 10 Personal Study Guides, 1 Leader Guide, 1 Leader Pack, 1 Advanced Bible Study, 1 Biblical Illustrator, and a free Wordsearch Bible digital library.

SEE PAGE 46 FOR EXPANDED DESCRIPTIONS AND ADDITIONAL OPTIONS.

SIX-SESSION BIBLE STUDY BOOK

SIX-SESSION LEADER KIT

Order one per group member.

Order one per leader.

Download sample sessions and learn more about all available Bible translations, delivery options, and leader extras at BibleStudiesForLife.com/Adults

ADULT PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE

A Centered Life

(Sample shown at 80% of actual size)

Features 1 Opening question is an icebreaker that is easy for anyone to answer. In fact, there is no wrong answer. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designed to get people talking and sharing life stories that will enhance the group experience as the study continues.

Question 1:

What are some things you never worry about anymore?

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE

TH E PO I NT

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need. 1 TH E B I B LE M E ETS LI FE Worry. Can you relate to that word? A lot of us can. Two out of five Americans admit to worrying.1 And I’m in that group. I worry a lot. I worry about church, family, health, my future, and lost people in my city. The list goes on and on. I’ve let worry consume me and even spiritually paralyze me for years. I play the “whatif” game a lot. What if I make the wrong decision? What if the desires of my heart never come to pass? What if my father never comes to know Christ?

S E S S ION 1

Features 1 This section connects the study to our discipleship and aspects of everyday life.

WHAT DO E S TH E B I B LE SAY ? Matthew 6:25-30 “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?” 25

2 The studies are written in a conversational tone, crafted to dig into God’s Word without being dry or academic.

3 Questions are also referenced in the Leader Guide.

Problems begin to arise in our lives when we allow our concern for physical needs to take priority over our spiritual needs. Jesus was clearly telling us that life is more than that.

Question 2:

What kinds of things cause people to worry?

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE

T H E P OI N T

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

Matthew 6:31-32 “So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” 31

A lack of trust produces a life of worry. According to Jesus, worry is a “Gentile” mindset. While we may sometimes equate “Gentile” with anyone who is not a Jew, in other contexts—like this one—it refers to those who are outside the family of God. This group of lost people has every reason to worry about the essentials of life. They express no trust in God, who is the Source of all we need. Their trust is in their own ability to provide for themselves. Without Christ, our minds are consumed with living the American dream. Accumulation is the name of the game. We seek the things of this world to give us identity and value.

S E S S ION 1

Features 1 Bulleted points make

it easy for a group leader to reference them as he/she leads the group.

Question 3:

When has God provided for you in an unexpected way? When we place our faith in Jesus, we are trusting that our greatest need was met. And since God has taken care of our biggest need, we can trust Him to take care of all our needs!

God does not have a hearing problem. He hears our requests (Ps. 66:18-20). God does not have a providing problem. He owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Ps. 50:10). God does not have a timing problem. He provides what we need when we need it (Prov. 3:5-6). If there is a problem, it’s with us. It’s a faith problem. He called us “You of little faith.” Worry is simply a product of not trusting God. The good news is that we do not have to stay faithless!

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE

T H E P OI N T

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 33

Question 4:

What does it look like to seek God’s kingdom first? This does not mean that if you seek God wholeheartedly, you will have whatever you want. Consider how that idea of prosperity plays out in other parts of the world. There are countless believers who live in poverty. Jesus’ words do not promise American prosperity but God’s provision. He takes care

S E S S ION 1

Question 5:

How can our group help one another prioritize the kingdom of God?

Features

Engage

1 Questions are

CENTERED IN CHRIST

specifically designed to get the group talking to stimulate interaction and enhance community.

Reflect on the common areas of life listed below. Consider the circles as levels of concern in your life. Place the letter beside each word from the list onto the circle that represents its importance based on the amount of attention you give it.

2 “Engage” is a short, intuitive activity to help connect the Bible to your life.

“We sin not because we do not love Christ at all but because we don’t love him above all.” BRYA N C H A PEL L

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

PERSONAL STUDY GUIDE

Features 1 “Live It Out” offers

T H E P OI N T

three clear ideas on how you can apply the point of the study to your life.

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

LIVE IT OUT

How will you actively seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? Consider the following applications:

2 Space is provided for the individual to write additional thoughts and how he/she will specifically live out the point of the session.

Confess. In order to overcome worry, confess the areas where you struggle to trust God. Admit your struggles with worry and allow God to begin working in you. Memorize. Hold strongly to the promises of God and memorize Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Continually remind yourself of God’s promise to provide. Share. Find someone you trust and share the things that cause you to worry and the areas of your life where you lack a trust in God. Invite this friend to pray with you and for you. It may feel at times as if worry is inevitable and you’re drowning in anxiety. Worry may have a way of worming its ugly head into your life, but it doesn’t have to consume you. Make a daily decision to pursue the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

1 Roni Caryn Rabin, “Worried? You’re Not Alone,” New York Times, May 9, 2016, http://well.blogs.nytimes. com/2016/05/09/worried-youre-not-alone.

S E S S ION 1

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” ROMANS 12:1-2

CSB ®

LEADER GUIDE B i b l e

S E S S ION 1

A Centered Life

S t u d i e s

For use with the Personal Study Guide

f o r

(Sample shown at 70% of actual size)

L i f e

The Point When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

The Passage Matthew 6:25-34

The Bible Meets Life Worry. Can you relate to that word? A lot of us can. Two out of five Americans admit to worrying.1 And I’m in that group. I worry a lot. I worry about church, family, health, my future, and lost people in my city. The list goes on and on. I’ve let worry consume me and even spiritually paralyze me for years. I play the “what-if” game a lot. What if I make the wrong decision? What if the desires of my heart never come to pass? What if my father never comes to know Christ? Do you ever wish you could just stop worrying and fixating on things you can’t control? I do. Jesus gave us the key, and it all has to do with our focus. When our focus is on the world, worry is usually the result, but when we focus on Christ . . . well, that changes everything. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called us to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. After that, everything else falls into place.

The Setting A large crowd gathered on a mountainside and listened to Jesus as He taught His disciples about following Him. His instruction came to be known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7). He taught His disciples about how He intended for them to live as believers. That’s why He instructed them regarding how to give, pray, and fast (6:1-18). Then He instructed them on how to deal with their possessions (vv. 19-24) and how to live without worry (vv. 25-34).

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Features T H E P OIN T

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

1 “The Bible Meets Life” gives a clear connection between life and how the Bible addresses the issues we face.

G ET I NTO TH E STU DY LEADER PACK: Display Pack Item 1, the “Worry” poster. As your group arrives, have pens available and instruct members to record on the poster the kinds of things they tend to worry about. Responses can be less serious items but should also include a few very real issues that can lead to worry. Once everyone has arrived, discuss the responses and take a vote to determine the top three issues. Circle those top three issues on the poster. DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 13 of the Personal Study Guide (PSG): “What are some things you never worry about anymore?” Allow time for each person to respond.

5 MINUTES

2 These studies make

Want to know about biblical culture, people, archaeology, and history? Biblical Illustrator has articles that tie to each session in this study at lifeway.com/BI.

it easy for new leaders to facilitate a group discussion.

GUIDE: Direct group members to “The Bible Meets Life” on page 14 of the PSG. Introduce the importance of centering our lives in Christ by reading or summarizing the text—or by encouraging group members to read it on their own. LEADER PACK: Display Pack Item 2, the “Simplicity” poster, to introduce the major theme of this study, along with the special focus of each session. GUIDE: Call attention to “The Point” on page 14 of the PSG: “When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.” ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): In advance, print out a photo or show a video clip displaying the Big Dipper pointing toward the North Star. Ask members if they recognize the constellation and if they can pick out the North Star. Point out how ancient seafarers used this star to guide their travels. Invite discussion about how Jesus is our North Star. If we stay focused on Him and His kingdom, everything else falls into place. NOTE: A link to a photo may be found at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra. PRAY: Transition into the study by asking the Lord to help the group direct our attention to Him and hear from Him during this study so that we can center our lives in Christ.

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

LEADER GUIDE

STU DY TH E B I B LE 10 MINUTES

Matthew 6:25-30

“Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?” 25

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 6:25-30 on page 15 of the PSG. GUIDE: Use the Commentary for the verses on the next page of this Leader Guide to explain the comparisons Jesus made to the birds of the sky and the grass of the field. RECAP: In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us a sobering reminder of where the heart and mind of the believer could end up when our focus is on the physical rather than the spiritual. A wrong focus leads to a wrong state of mind which leads to anxiety and worry. ALTERNATE QUESTION:

What’s the relationship between faith and worry?

DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 15 of the PSG: “What kinds of things cause people to worry?” RECAP: Sometimes it’s hard to truly comprehend that God loves us as His children. Some of us have not had the greatest father figures, and some of us have had no fathers at all. Others cannot understand why God would love them when they are so flawed and sinful. But Jesus painted a wholly different picture of our heavenly Father as One who takes care of the birds and adorns the flowers yet loves us so much more. In spite of our sinfulness, God loves and values us deeply. That wonderful truth should change our perspective and, therefore, cure any worry. TRANSITION: Not only does Jesus say that we should not worry, but in the next verses we learn that we should trust God to do what is best for us.

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Features T H E P OIN T

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

1 Each session addresses 6 to 12 verses, allowing the group to go deeper.

Matthew 6:25-30 Commentary [VERSE 25] As we approach this verse, we’re drawn to its first word. Therefore catches our attention and urges us to grasp the reason Jesus wanted people to listen closely to what He was about to say. Beginning in Matthew 5:1, Jesus engaged people with His instruction about how He intends for His disciples to live as citizens of the kingdom of God. As He taught, He underscored a variety of concerns we face as we serve Him. In Matthew 6:25, He brought up our tendency to worry. Jesus showed us how Christians who struggle with worry can overcome it. He challenged followers not to worry. Of course, He wasn’t implying Christians have His permission to be irresponsible or not try to take care of ourselves or the people in our lives. Rather, He confronted our inclination to be obsessed with anxiety over some of the basic needs in life. Granted, we need food and clothing. However, obsessive anxiety about these needs robs us of the quality of life He intends for us to enjoy as God’s people. [VERSE 26] What’s the best way to handle worry? Jesus taught us to take a long look into the sky. When we do, we’ll find birds flying everywhere, and not a one of them seems concerned about what they’ll eat. They don’t give attention to planting seeds or harvesting grain. They’re free from care because the Father cares and provides for them. Jesus raised an important question for believers when anxiety hovers over us, overshadowing us with a sense of uneasiness and fear. God values birds. But aren’t we more valuable to Him? He feeds birds because they matter to Him. He’ll certainly provide for us because we matter to Him even more. [VERSE 27] But Jesus didn’t stop there. He asked another question. It’s a question that gets to the heart of our fretful anxiety. With this question, Jesus connected worry with our life span. Will our worry help us to live longer? Will it give us one additional moment of life? If it doesn’t, it’s a gigantic waste of our time and energy.

Worry won’t change anything. Who can forget the old saying that worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. Rocking back and forth in the chair gives us something to do. But it really doesn’t get us anywhere. Likewise, worrying will consume our thoughts, imprison our emotions, and take away the joy in our lives.

2 The opening question is an icebreaker that is easy for anyone to answer and gets the group comfortable talking together.

[VERSE 28] After addressing our essential need for food, Jesus turned our attention to clothes. In our day, clothes protect us when we face terribly cold or awfully hot weather. In Jesus’ day, the harsh climate made the need for clothes even more critical. Again, Jesus took us outdoors to help us to overcome obsessive worry. He encouraged us to take some time studying how God adorns a field full of wildflowers. However, we won’t find any of the flowers working diligently to make themselves beautiful. Their beauty appears effortlessly. They obviously don’t give a minute of their time to working in the meadow where they bloom. [VERSE 29] King Solomon ruled over Israel with tremendous success. The Lord gave him wisdom to rule well. Because of his wisdom, his power and wealth grew exponentially. He led the kingdom to extend its reach far and wide. With his buildings alone, Solomon rendered more than enough breathtaking beauty for everyone to see. But as Jesus confirmed, what Solomon produced didn’t approach the splendor provided by a field full of flowers. [VERSE 30] Jesus led us to observe the way God adorns the grass of the field. At the same time, He guided us to notice how long it lasts. Beautiful flowers fade quickly. Before long, the plants start to shrivel in the heat; then they’re gone. They’re tossed in a furnace as food for a fire. When we reflect on their splendor that stays only for a little while, we marvel at the way God goes to so much trouble for His creation. The issue at the heart of worry isn’t whether God will care for us. Rather, it’s whether we will trust Him to do it.

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

LEADER GUIDE

STU DY TH E B I B LE Matthew 6:31-32

10 MINUTES

“So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” 31

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 6:31-32 on page 16 of the PSG. RECAP: A lack of trust produces a life of worry. According to Jesus, worry is a “Gentile” mindset. While we may sometimes equate “Gentile” with anyone who is not a Jew, in other contexts—like this one—it refers to those who are outside the family of God. This group of lost people has every reason to worry about the essentials of life. They express no trust in God, who is the Source of all we need. Their trust is in their own ability to provide for themselves.

GUIDE: Use the Commentary for the verses on the next page of this Leader Guide to explain further what Jesus meant by “the Gentiles.”

ALTERNATE QUESTION:

What are some ways people deal with worry in their lives?

DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 17 of the PSG: “When has God provided for you in an unexpected way?” SUMMARIZE: When we place our faith in Jesus, we are trusting that our greatest need was met. And since God has taken care of our biggest need, we can trust Him to take care of all our needs! Highlight the main points from page 17 of the PSG.

> >

God does not have a hearing problem. He hears our requests (Ps. 66:18-20).

God does not have a timing problem. He provides what we need when we need it (Prov. 3:5-6).

God does not have a providing problem. He owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Ps. 50:10).

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TRANSITION: The next verses further demonstrate that we must seek the things of God above all else.

Features T H E P OIN T

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

Matthew 6:31-32 Commentary [VERSE 31] Jesus didn’t intend to shame us or punish us with His assertion about the weakness of our faith in Him. He’s not interested in hurting us. Instead, He wants to shape our perspective. Gently but firmly, He works in us so we’ll grow spiritually toward maturity in our relationship with Him. For that reason, we do well to interpret His statement about our small faith as an appeal instead of a reprimand. He’s interested in taking us from living with worry to walking by faith. Jesus helps us to move in that direction by teaching us about centering. He instructed us not to center our lives on what we need. When we make that mistake, we nourish the bad habit of worrying over what we haven’t gotten and how we can get it. We underscore that we’re not centered properly by what we keep on saying about what we lack. As Jesus showed, the problem with worry doesn’t stop with what we’ll eat. It comes into the question regarding what we will drink too. Again, worry cultivates despair as we center our thoughts on what would happen if we didn’t have enough. Our fear of being thirsty gives way to doubt about where we’ll get water. The same problem in our thinking shows up when we ask questions about what we will wear. When our concerns swirl around whether we’ll have enough clothing, we open the door to anxiety. Ultimately, we come face to face with a hard reality about worrying. When we center our lives on ourselves and our needs, we prove we have lost sight of the Lord. By the same token, if we determine we’re going to trust Him, we center our lives in Him and the assurance of His care. If we center on our needs, we worry. However, if we center our lives in Christ, we learn to walk by faith. We take critical steps away from futile and frustrating anxiety toward fruitful and fulfilling faith. [VERSE 32] Jesus intended for His disciples to be characterized by faith in Him instead of anxiety over what they needed but didn’t have yet. Such a character trait would make Christians distinctly

1 Alternate questions

give you an option—a way to customize or expand your group discussion.

different from people with no relationship with Him. When Jesus mentioned Gentiles, He had in mind people who didn’t know Him or how He worked. They devoted themselves fully to the pagan deities of their day, but they didn’t live by faith in those idols. Rather, they lived in fear of them. They thought the idol they worshiped had to be appeased. If the deity was displeased with them, they could expect its wrath to be poured out on them. For that reason, they tried to please the idol at every juncture.

2 Transition statements help you move smoothly through the study.

Idolaters didn’t live by faith in the idol. Quite the opposite, they were terrorized by it. They had little or no hope that an idol would provide them with something to eat and drink or clothes to wear. Instead, they depended only on themselves when it came to getting what they needed to live. For that reason, they looked for ways to gather up their own food, clothes, and anything else they needed. That reflected their troublesome habit of centering their lives on what they needed to get for themselves.

3 Newly expanded commentary coincides with the verses studied on the facing page.

When we think about the idol worshipers of Jesus’ day, we understand more about His insistence that we trust Him to supply what we need. Instead of a lifeless idol, we serve a living Lord who came into our lives when we received His gift of salvation. Since the day He saved us, He’s been helping us so we will grow from spiritual infancy to maturity. Centering our lives in Christ nourishes our trust in Him. We come to rest in the certainty that He’s faithful to provide us with anything and everything that will enable us to serve Him effectively. According to Jesus, our heavenly Father has a firm grasp of what’s going on with us and what we need. Therefore, we can settle into the simple certainty that He’ll provide. We have no need to let worry drive us to be fretful over what we need and how we’ll get it. Rather, we allow our faith in Him to center us and assure us He loves us, cares for us, and provides for us because we’re His children. When we center our lives in Him, we live in the confidence that everything else in our lives will fall into place. B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

LEADER GUIDE

STU DY TH E B I B LE Matthew 6:33-34

15 MINUTES

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 33

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 6:33-34 on page 18 of the PSG.

ALTERNATE QUESTION:

How can we follow Jesus’ wisdom not to worry about tomorrow yet still plan for the future?

DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 18 of the PSG: “What does it look like to seek God’s kingdom first?” RECAP: This does not mean that if you seek God wholeheartedly, you will have whatever you want. Consider how that idea of prosperity plays out in other parts of the world. There are countless believers who live in poverty. Jesus’ words do not promise American prosperity but God’s provision. He takes care of His children. Seeking God gives us proper perspective. Jesus promised that each day will have enough trouble of its own. We cannot escape the troubled day, but we can escape worry. Today, focus on Christ. Make Him first. We can think about tomorrow . . . well, tomorrow.

DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 18 of the PSG: “How can our group help one another prioritize the kingdom of God?” DO: Direct group members to Engage with “Centered in Christ,” on page 19 of the PSG (page 25 in this Leader Guide) to help them reflect on their own priorities and make application. GUIDE: Refer back to “The Point” for this session: “When your life is centered in Christ, you will find all you need.”

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Features T H E P OIN T

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

1 Clear directions and terms are used to help you lead your group.

2 References to the Personal Study Guide keep you from needing to juggle between two books.

Jesus helped us put tomorrow in its proper perspective by bringing up God’s wisdom that’s both simple and profound at the same time. Tomorrow’s trouble will meet us then. When or if we’re confronted with it, the Lord will be there. He’ll get us through it by supplying what we need so we can deal with it. Because we’re Christians, we’re citizens of the kingdom of God. As kingdom citizens, we can count on His presence. He will work in us to sustain us, strengthen us, empower us, and help us with whatever we need. While we can rest assured of His provision, we’re even more grateful for the assurance of His care. With that assurance, we can rest in Him and not be anxious about what tomorrow will bring our way. What matters is today. Yesterday has left; tomorrow might never arrive. We only have today. Trusting Him for what we need today makes good sense for growing believers. Living with simplicity means we don’t allow ourselves to become victims of worry about tomorrow. Instead we take to heart the reality of His presence today and the certainty of His care for us so we can live for Him in the present. We have no better choice than to center our lives in Christ by trusting Him today and tomorrow.

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

LEADER GUIDE

LIVE IT OUT 5 MINUTES

GUIDE: Direct group members to page 20 of the PSG. Encourage them to choose one of the following applications to carry out this week.

Confess. In order to overcome worry, confess the areas where you struggle to trust God. Admit your struggles with worry and allow God to begin working in you.

Share. Find someone you trust and share the things that cause you to worry and the areas of your life where you lack a trust in God. Invite this friend to pray with you and for you.

Wrap It Up TRANSITION: Read or restate the final paragraph from page 20 of the PSG. It may feel at times as if worry is inevitable and you’re drowning in anxiety. Worry may have a way of worming its ugly head into your life, but it doesn’t have to consume you. Make a daily decision to pursue the kingdom of God and His righteousness. PRAY: Conclude by thanking the Lord for meeting all of our needs in His time and in His way. Ask Him for the faith to set our hearts on the kingdom of God and the faith to trust in Him daily for everything else.

Free additional ideas for your group are available at BibleStudiesforLife.com/AdultExtra 24

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T H E P OIN T

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

E N GAG E Centered in Christ. Reflect on the common areas of life listed below. Consider the circles as levels of concern in your life. Place the letter beside each word from the list onto the circle that represents its importance based on the amount of attention you give it. A. Work B. Family Time C. Recreation D. Rest E. House Maintenance F. Church Life G. Christ H. Other: ___________ If Jesus is not in the center, offer a prayer of repentance and commitment to give Christ Lordship in your life.

BO N US CO NTE NT ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): In advance, prepare four or five nametags with words like the following: work, family, church, community, financial needs. Ask for volunteers to wear the nametags and “represent” that priority by shouting out concerns or demands that apply to that area of our lives. Ask for another volunteer to wear a blindfold and listen for yet another volunteer who represents Christ to whisper their name through the noise. Have fun with the exercise, playing like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” or “Marco Polo.” After a few minutes, invite members to talk about how they deal with all the demands seeking their attention and how they have learned to focus on Christ. ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Use a puzzle competition to illustrate the idea of a life “fitting into place” when we are centered in Christ. Bring two 50-piece puzzles to your gathering. Prior to the gathering, complete the border around one of the puzzles. Then divide your group into two teams and challenge them to complete their puzzle as quickly as possible. You might offer a prize to the winning team. Help group members make the connection that centering our lives in Christ is even better than starting a puzzle with the borders already connected.

B I B L E S T U DI E S F OR L I F E

Introducing

THE DAILY DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE Because life doesn’t just happen on the day your group meets.

The Daily Discipleship Guide, a new group option, makes it easier to apply God’s Word to your life all week long. Your group may prefer this resource over the Personal Study Guide/Leader Guide model for a number of reasons:

Aligns Daily Bible Study with the Group Experience Instead of studying beforehand, you attend the group and then build upon what you learned using five daily devotionals.

Guest Friendly Everyone who comes to the group starts on the same page. So guests, and even participants who’ve been absent for a while, won’t feel like they’ve missed anything because they didn’t study before the meeting.

Easier to Train New Leaders The leader material is in the back of the Guide—so leaders in training can just follow along with you without needing a different book.

Great for Discipleship Groups Group members that meet in smaller groups for deeper discipleship will love the Talk It Out section. This gives them more questions to discuss about that week’s study.

Works with Phones or Tablets An eBook version is also available, for those who prefer a paperless approach to Bible study. 30

AVA IN CS IL ABLE B FALL OR K JV

2019

DAILY DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE

| A Centered Life

(Sample shown at 80% of actual size)

Features 1 Each session begins with an issue and leads us to consider what God’s Word says on the matter.

TH E B I B LE M E ETS LI F E Worry. Can you relate to that word? A lot of us can. Two out of five Americans admit to worrying.1 And I’m in that group. I worry a lot. I worry about church, family, health, my future, and lost people in my city. The list goes on and on. I’ve let worry consume me and even spiritually paralyze me for years. I play the “what-if” game a lot. What if I make the wrong decision? What if the desires of my heart never come to pass? What if my father never comes to know Christ? Do you ever wish you could just stop worrying and fixating on things you can’t control? I do. Jesus gave us the key, and it all has to do with our focus. When our focus is on the world, worry is usually the result, but when we focus on Christ ... well, that changes everything. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called us to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. After that, everything else falls into place.

BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

DAILY DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE

GROUP TIME 2

THE POINT: When your life is ___________ in Christ, you __________ all you need. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us a sobering reminder of where the heart and mind of the believer could end up when our focus is on the physical rather than the spiritual. A wrong focus leads to anxiety and worry.

Matthew 6:25-30 25 “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they? 27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? Observe how the wildflowers of the field grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you—you of little faith?

Don’t __________________ . Jesus’ words are unmistakable: “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life” (v. 25). Easier said than done, right? But it’s an important word from Jesus, and His use of “I tell you” is to get us to pay close attention to what He was saying. God loves and cares for each one of us. Jesus illustrated this truth by focusing on two of our most basic needs: food and clothing. The birds in the sky are fed and provided for and the wildflowers are clothed. The birds and the flowers have no concern, and since we’re loved so much more deeply, why should we have any concern? Jesus was clear: don’t worry about things we shouldn’t be worrying about. Worry saps our energy. Worry steals hours from our day—and days from our lives. Worry reveals a lack of faith and trust in God.

Matthew 6:31-32 31 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

SESSION 1

Features 1 The group member’s

Trust God to do what is ________ for you. A lack of trust produces a life of worry. According to Jesus, worry is a “Gentile” mindset. While we may sometimes equate “Gentile” with anyone who isn’t a Jew, in other contexts—like this one—it refers to those who are outside the family of God. Those without Christ have every reason to worry about the essentials of life. They express no trust in God, who is the Source of all we need. Their trust is in their own ability to provide for themselves.

Engage

2 Each session

GOD IS ABLE

experience begins with the group time. No pre-meeting study is required.

revolves around one central idea.

What are some ways God has proven Himself worthy of your trust? Use the prompts below to record your answers in the spaces provided.

3 The group time

How has God provided for you financially? ___________________________________

is interactive, encouraging the group member to engage deeply with the passage.

How has God provided for your security? ____________________________________ How has God provided for you relationally? __________________________________

Matthew 6:33-34 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

4 Each session includes an activity that engages thinking on a different level.

Seek the __________ of _________ above all else. “Seek first” (v. 33). The word Jesus used for “seek” is “zeteo,” which means to desire and pursue. We aren’t seeking something that’s hidden; instead we’re pursuing the things of God with a passion wherein it’s our highest priority. Verse 33 takes us back to Jesus’ earlier words in this chapter: “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (vv. 19-21). Instead of being consumed with the temporary things of this world, we’re called to be consumed with a desire for God and the things of God. It’s not that the cares of this life are unimportant; even Jesus invited us to pray for these things: “Give us today our daily bread” (v. 11). As we focus on Christ and pursue Him with obedience, He takes care of everything else.

BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

DAILY DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE

THE POINT |

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

LI V E IT OUT How will you actively seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? Consider the following suggestions: Confess. In order to overcome worry, confess the areas where you struggle to trust God. Admit your struggles with worry and allow God to begin working in you. Memorize. Hold strongly to the promises of God and memorize Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Continually remind yourself of God’s promises to provide. Share. Find someone you trust and share the things that cause you to worry and the areas of your life where you lack a trust in God. Invite this friend to pray with you and for you.

TA LK IT OUT Want to go a step further? Gather with two or three Christ-followers of the same gender. Read Matthew 6:25-34, then use the following summary and questions for a deeper discussion. A lot of things press for our attention each week. Good things. Important things. As a result, we can often feel pulled in multiple directions because everything is crying to be the priority and focus of our lives. Wouldn’t it be great if we had only one thing to focus on? Jesus said there is—His kingdom and righteousness—and when this is our focus, everything else falls into place.

Does Jesus’ command in verse 25 feel easy or difficult to obey? Explain. Is there someone or something (a spouse, a child, a house, a job, and so forth) that you’re currently worried God will never provide for you? What are some ways you currently seek after God and His righteousness? 10

SESSION 1

Features

DAILY STUDY

1 Live It Out: Session

DAY 1: We can trust God because He’s our Creator who holds all authority. Read Matthew 6:25. Jesus’ words in this verse are powerful, but let’s not lose sight of the fact that we’re hearing these words from the mouth of the Creator. The Creator of the universe, the One who put the stars in place, the One who controls the oceans, the One who holds the world in the palm of His hand is telling us, “Don’t worry!” You would think that would be enough to cure us of worry, but it often isn’t. The phrase “to worry” refers to a state of mind we choose. When we worry, it’s because we’ve allowed our mind to focus on and live in disbelief. Worry won’t change anything. Who can forget the old saying that worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair. Rocking back and forth in the chair gives us something to do, but it really doesn’t get us anywhere. Likewise, worrying will consume our thoughts, imprison our emotions, and take away the joy in our lives. But it won’t do anything to solve the problems in life that’s pressing down on us. No, worry won’t change anything because it can’t. But God can.

In the space below, draw a symbol that represents an area of your life that generates significant worry. Confess to God ways that your worry reflects a lack of trust in Him, then place this area of your life fully in His hands.

“A lack of trust produces a life of worry.”

concludes with three suggestions for application. One is relatively easy, ideal for those new to the faith or new to the group. The other two call for progressively more commitment.

2 Talk It Out: Discipleship continues as group members gather during the week with two or three people to encourage and challenge each other in their growth and discipleship.

3 Daily Study: Group members continue to engage with the study with five days of devotions. Discipleship occurs on a daily basis as they dig further into the passage. Each day includes ideas for personal reflection and action.

NOE GARCIA

BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

DAILY DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE

THE POINT |

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

DAY 2: We can trust God because He loves us. Read Matthew 6:26-30. What’s the best way to handle worry? Jesus taught us to take a long look into the sky. When we do, we’ll find birds flying everywhere, and not a one of them seems concerned about what they’ll eat. They don’t give attention to planting seeds or harvesting grain. Neither do they appear to be interested in gathering and storing food just in case of an emergency. They’re free from care because the Father cares and provides for them. So why shouldn’t we worry when life seems overwhelming with so many unmet demands? The reason is tied to the great value we have in the eyes of our Father. Sometimes it’s hard to truly comprehend that God loves us as His children. Some of us haven’t had the greatest father figures, and some of us have had no fathers at all. Others can’t understand why God would love them when they’re so flawed and sinful. But Jesus painted a wholly different picture of our heavenly Father—One who takes care of the birds and adorns the flowers, yet loves us so much more. In spite of our sinfulness, God loves and values us deeply. We can confidently place our trust in God because of His unconditional love for us.

When you step outside today, pause to notice the birds and wildflowers in your community. Thank God for these visible reminders of the depth of His love for us.

DAY 3: We can trust God because He alone gives meaning and lasting peace. Read Matthew 6:31-32. Without Christ, it’s easy for our minds to be consumed with living the American dream. Accumulation is the name of the game. We seek the things of this world to give us identity and value. Many of these things aren’t inherently bad—a nice home, a new car, a big salary—but we tend to let these things define us. Our trust is in our ability to perform in order to get what we need or want. But what do we actually achieve if we attain all these things? Sitting right next to us in our nice homes is a void, a hopelessness, and a lack of peace. None of these things truly satisfy; we’re left hungry and thirsty for more. It boils down to a matter of trust: without Christ, our trust is in the wrong place. Trust should be placed in God who does what is best for us.

In your Bible, underline the phrase “your heavenly father knows that you need them” (v. 32) as a reminder that God knows and provides for all your needs.

SESSION 1

DAY 4: We can trust God because He has already provided for our greatest need: a Savior. Read Philippians 4:19. Consider how God provided for our greatest need. We’re sinners in need of a Savior. God saw that need and sent His Son, His greatest possession. We were separated from God, so Jesus lived the sinless life we couldn’t live, only to be crucified on a cross as atonement for our sin. When we place our faith in Jesus, the Son of God, we’re trusting that our greatest need will be met. And since God has taken care of our biggest need, we can fully trust Him to take care of all other needs! God doesn’t have a hearing problem. He hears our requests (Psalm 66:18-20). God doesn’t have a providing problem. He owns “the cattle on a thousand hills” (Psalm 50:10). God doesn’t have a timing problem. He provides what we need when we need it (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Re-write Philippians 4:19 in your own words in the space below.

BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

DAILY DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE

THE POINT |

When your life is centered in Christ, you find all you need.

DAY 5: We can trust God to help us grow in spiritual maturity. Read Matthew 6:33-34. Believers are “already but not yet” people. We’ve already come to Christ and live in the absolute certainty we belong to Him. Furthermore, we readily rejoice in the confidence He will never leave us and heaven is our home. But we’re not there yet. Neither have we arrived at complete spiritual maturity yet. We’re making progress, but we haven’t finished the journey. Thus, each day finds us centering our lives in Christ so we will be useful citizens of the kingdom of God. It’s a kingdom composed of people who belong to Him. Knowing God better and serving Him more faithfully is what we seek to do each day. When we set God’s kingdom and righteousness as our daily target, we learn to place our lives in His hands in complete trust that He’ll provide what we need. As our trust in Him grows stronger, we see our troubles with worry subside. Instead, we’re more centered on the Lord Himself and being obedient to what He calls us to do. Being in His company and enjoying His presence matters to us more than anything else and His kingdom becomes our priority.

Consider your plans for the future (both immediate and long-term). Ask God to reveal any areas where you’re putting your personal “kingdom” above His kingdom. Be ready to make adjustments to seek His kingdom first.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” M ATTHEW 6:33

SESSION 1

“I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” JOHN 10:10

CSB ®

LEADER GUIDE

Leader Guide

SESSION 1

Included in the Daily Discipleship Guide

A Centered Life

(Sample shown at 80% of actual size)

G ET TI N G STA RTE D

LEADER PACK: Display Pack Item #1, the “Worry” poster. As your group arrives, have pens available and instruct members to record onto the poster the kinds of things they tend to worry about. Responses can be less serious items but should include a few real issues that can lead to worry. Once everyone has arrived, discuss the responses and take a vote to determine the top three issues. Circle those top three issues on the poster.

DISCUSS: What are some things you never worry about anymore? RECAP (PAGE 7): Worry. Can you relate to that word? A lot of us can. Two out of five Americans admit to worrying.1 And I’m in that group. I worry a lot. I worry about church, family, health, my future, and lost people in my city. The list goes on and on. I’ve let worry consume me and even spiritually paralyze me for years. I play the “what-if” game a lot. What if I make the wrong decision? What if the desires of my heart never come to pass? What if my father never comes to know Christ? Do you ever wish you could just stop worrying and fixating on things you can’t control? I do. Jesus gave us the key, and it all has to do with our focus. When our focus is on the world, worry is usually the result, but when we focus on Christ … well, that changes everything. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called us to seek His kingdom and His righteousness first. After that, everything else falls into place. GUIDE: Direct attention to The Point on page 8. Invite group members to fill in the blanks. THE POINT: When your life is CENTERED in Christ, you FIND all you need. LEADER PACK: Display Pack Item #2, the “Simplicity” poster, and give a brief overview of the six session titles in this study.

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Features STU DY TH E B I B LE

1 Step-by-step

GIVE BIBLICAL CONTEXT: A large crowd gathered on a mountainside and listened to Jesus as He taught His disciples about following Him. His instruction came to be known as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7). Jesus taught His disciples about how He intended for them to live as believers. That’s why He instructed them regarding how to give, pray, and fast (6:1-18). Then He instructed them on how to deal with their possessions (vv. 19-24) and how to live without worry (vv. 25-34). RECAP (PAGE 8): In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave us a sobering reminder of where the heart and mind of the believer could end up when our focus is on the physical rather than the spiritual. A wrong focus leads to anxiety and worry. READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 6:25-30 on page 8. GUIDE: Direct your group’s attention to the following heading on page 8: Don’t WORRY. RECAP (PAGE 8): Jesus’ words are unmistakable: “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life” (v. 25). Easier said than done, right? But it’s an important word from Jesus, and His use of “I tell you” is to get us to pay close attention to what He was saying. God loves and cares for each one of us. Jesus illustrated this truth by focusing on two of our most basic needs: food and clothing. The birds in the sky are fed and provided for and the wildflowers are clothed. The birds and the flowers have no concern, and since we’re loved so much more deeply, why should we have any concern? Jesus was clear: don’t worry about things we shouldn’t be worrying about. Worry saps our energy. Worry steals hours from our day—and days from our lives. Worry reveals a lack of faith and trust in God. DISCUSS: What kinds of things cause people to worry? [ALTERNATE: What are some lies that cause worry to increase?]

instructions with clear directives walk the leader through the process of facilitating a group study and discussion.

2 The supplemental Leader Pack (available as a separate purchase) is referenced. The Pack includes both visual posters and teaching aids to enhance the group experience.

3 Group experience is built around five discussiongenerating questions.

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 6:31-32 on page 8. GUIDE: Direct your group’s attention to the following heading on page 9: Trust God to do what is BEST for you. RECAP (PAGE 9): A lack of trust produces a life of worry. According to Jesus, worry is a “Gentile” mindset. While we may sometimes equate “Gentile” with anyone who isn’t a Jew, in other contexts—like this one—it refers to those who are outside the family of God. Those without Christ have every reason to worry about the essentials of life. They express no trust in God, who is the Source of all we need. Their trust is in their own ability to provide for themselves. DO: Instruct group members to complete the activity, God Is Able, on page 9, on their own. If time allows, invite volunteers to share their responses.

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LEADER GUIDE (included in the Daily Discipleship Guide)

God Is Able: What are some ways God has proven Himself worthy of your trust? Use the prompts below to record your answers in the spaces provided. How has God provided for you financially? ___________________________________ How has God provided for your security? ____________________________________ How has God provided for you relationally? __________________________________ DISCUSS: When has God provided for you in an unexpected way? [ALTERNATE: What are some ways people deal with worry in their lives?] READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Matthew 6:33-34 on page 9.

GUIDE: Direct your group’s attention to the following heading on page 9: Seek the THINGS of GOD above all else. RECAP (PAGE 9): “Seek first” (v. 33). The word Jesus used for “seek” is “zeteo,” which means to desire and pursue. We aren’t seeking something that’s hidden; instead we’re pursuing the things of God with a passion wherein it’s our highest priority. Verse 33 takes us back to Jesus’ earlier words in this chapter: “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (vv. 19-21). Instead of being consumed with the temporary things of this world, we’re called to be consumed with a desire for God and the things of God. It’s not that the cares of this life are unimportant; even Jesus invited us to pray for these things: “Give us today our daily bread” (v. 11). As we focus on Christ and pursue Him with obedience, He takes care of everything else. DISCUSS: What does it look like to seek God’s kingdom first? [ALTERNATE: What does Jesus promise in this passage?] DISCUSS: How can our group help one another prioritize the kingdom of God?

LI V E IT OUT ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Use a puzzle competition to illustrate the idea of a life “falling into place” when we’re centered on Christ. Bring two 50-piece puzzles to your gathering. In advance, complete the border around one of the puzzles. Then divide your group into two teams and challenge them to complete their puzzle as quickly as possible. Help group members make the connection that centering our lives on Christ is like starting a puzzle with the borders already connected.

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Features 1 The leader is

SAY: “How will you actively seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? Consider the following suggestions.”

provided answers to any blanks on the “Group Time” pages.

GUIDE: Direct group members to review the three bulleted statements under Live It Out on page 10. Call on volunteers to share (1) which of these statements is something they want to pursue further, or (2) ways this study will transform their prayer life this week.

2 Commentary gives

Confess. In order to overcome worry, confess the areas where you struggle to trust God. Admit your struggles with worry and allow God to begin working in you.

the leader a deeper understanding of the people, places, background, and interpretation of the passage.

Memorize. Hold strongly to the promises of God and memorize Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” Continually remind yourself of God’s promises to provide. Share. Find someone you trust and share the things that cause you to worry and the areas of your life where you lack a trust in God. Invite this friend to pray with you and for you. GUIDE: Invite each person to gather with two or three Christ-followers of the same gender this week for a deeper discussion, using Talk It Out (page 10) to guide their discussion. Encourage group members to spend time each day in God’s Word with the devotions found in the Daily Study section (pages 11-14).

3 Leaders can use this section to prepare.

PRAY: Close with a prayer. Praise God for being the One who holds all authority and is over all things. Ask for wisdom as you seek to center your life on Jesus each day.

D I G D E E PE R Use the commentary below as you prepare to lead the session. [VERSES 25-26]: In these verses, Jesus challenged His followers not to worry. He confronted the inclination to be obsessed with anxiety over some of the basic needs in life. Granted, we need food and clothing. However, obsessive anxiety about these needs rob us of the quality of life He intends for us to enjoy as God’s people. Next, Jesus raised an important question for believers when anxiety hovers over us, overshadowing us with a sense of uneasiness and fear. God values birds, but aren’t we more valuable to Him? He feeds birds because they matter to Him. He’ll certainly provide for us because we matter to Him even more.

[VERSE 28]: After addressing our essential need for food, Jesus turned our attention to clothes. In our day, clothes protect us when we face terribly cold or awfully hot weather. In Jesus’ day, the harsh climate made the need for clothes even more critical. Without proper clothes, a person living in Israel ran the risk of being hurt or even dying because of the extreme temperatures. That’s why appropriate clothing was always a chief concern.

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2019-20 S T U DY P L A N

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OBEY GOD & DENY SELF

See a three year study plan online at BibleStudiesForLife.com/Adults

GO D

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GOSPEL

EXERCISE FAITH

NS ATI O REL ILD

LIVE UNASHAMED

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FALL Simplicity: Finding Contentment in a Busy Life. . . . . . . . . . . .Obey God and Deny Self How to Know Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Will . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Seek God

WINTER Answers to Tough Questions: Defending What You Believe . . . . Share Christ When Life Gets Hard: Big Questions About Pain & Suffering. . . .Exercise Faith

SPRING Holy Vocabulary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Engage with Scripture Dealing with Messy Relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Build Relationships

SUMMER Living with Hope in a Broken World. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Live Unashamed Why Do I Need the Church?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Serve God and Others

A FAMILY OF RESOURCES NEW A DU LTS Daily Discipleship Guide FALL 2019

CSB

Study 1: Simplicity: Finding Contentment in a Busy Life Study 2: How to Know God’s Will

Personal Study Guide

Leader Guide

Leader Pack

This core resource helps group members prepare before the meeting, facilitates discovery during the session, and encourages application after group study time. It provides Scripture, commentary, thoughtprovoking questions, key word study, and a life application section called “Live It Out.” Study Guide options available for Adults, Senior Adults, and Young Adults. Translation options include CSB, NIV, and KJV. (13 sessions)

This core resource provides simple directions to show the leader what to read, when to guide the group, when to invite discussion, and how to transition between Scripture passages. It also offers commentary for each section of Scripture to give the leader a better understanding of the passage. And the Leader Guide corresponds to session content in the Personal Study Guide, so flipping between books is never required. Leader Guide options available for Adults, Senior Adults, and Young Adults. Translation options include CSB, NIV, and KJV. (13 sessions)

The Leader Pack helps leaders prepare, present, and support the group study each week. Details on how each item enhances the group experience are included in the Leader Guide. Each Pack includes: • A variety of posters and other visual aids • A CD-ROM that contains: - Videos to introduce and promote each six-session study - PDFs of the visual aids (so you can show them on a tablet or PowerPoint®) - Leader Guide content in a customizable format

lifeway.com/biblestudiesforlife.com 46

Daily Discipleship Guide (includes Leader Guide) This is an alternative to the Personal Study Guide/Leader Guide model. Instead of studying before the meeting, participants discuss the study at the meeting and then reinforce the learning all week long through five daily devotions. Available translations: CSB or KJV. (13 sessions) See page 30 or learn more at BibleStudiesForLife.com/DDG.

NEW

Adults Group Box Now you can get everything you need for a great Bible study experience by ordering this one item. You save money, and you save time by only having to order and deliver one item per leader, instead of 14. The Box includes a Quick Start Guide that explains how all the items work together: • 10 Personal Study Guides (CSB) • 1 Leader Guide (CSB) • 1 Leader Pack • 1 Advanced Bible Study • 1 Biblical Illustrator • Free Wordsearch Bible Digital Library (a great added value!) • 1 Quick Start Guide • A total 12% savings over purchasing items separately

DIGITAL OPTIONS

Advanced Bible Study Get additional insights into the Scripture. This resource’s verse-by-verse commentary format puts an emphasis on Scripture passages and other relevant information. A Teacher Guide is also available for leaders who want to be well prepared to teach. It includes an additional creative teaching idea to illustrate a truth from the passage. CSB (13 sessions)

Herschel Hobbs Commentary

Biblical Illustrator

This commentary is similar to Advanced Bible Study in its attention to greater detail. It is KJV-based but interacts with all major, modern English translations. This is ideal for leaders who are looking for additional perspective. (13 sessions)

This quarterly resource features articles on biblical archaeology, customs, and locations, as well as fascinating photographs and maps. You can make every group meeting more interesting by sharing the stories, facts, and images you discover in Biblical Illustrator.

For more information, visit LifeWay.com/Hobbs

For more information, visit LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator.

For those who prefer to study using a computer, phone, or tablet, we offer digital editions of our resources. A Bible Studies for Life eBook is also available for Adults, Young Adults, Advanced Bible Study, and Herschel Hobbs Commentary at LifeWay.com, iTunes, and Google Play.

FREE LEADER HELPS Get additional support at BibleStudiesForLife.com/AdultExtra

For more information, visit LifeWay.com/Advanced.

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