reflection and discussion questions: 

1. Review:  Last week, we talked about "laying up for ourselves treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). Can you think of any ways that has impacted either your view or your handling of things from this past week? Any praises or challenges? 

2. Take a moment in prayer, welcoming the Spirit's presence. Then read this week's passage: Matthew 6:25-34.  What words, ideas, and themes stand out to you?  Take a moment, too, and reflect on how anxiety finds a way to worm its way into your life.  What else stands out?

3. Now go back and read the previous passage, vv. 19-24.  In what ways do you think this whole section (vv. 19-34) ties together?  (Hint: What is the "therefore" there for?  And remember, the Sermon on the Mount is ONE sermon, so Jesus is never simply throwing out random ideas!  Everything connects in one way or another!)

4. Rachel said that fret, worry, and stress divide our hearts. For example, it is like saying, “I trust God, but _______.” How might you answer that question? And how does that divide you?  (Consider James 1:6-8.)

5. Rachel also said that her old way of dealing with anxiety was to ramp up her productivity (do more stuff! stay really busy!) and to be a people-pleaser.  Do you find yourself reacting to anxiety in any of the same ways?  Do you have different ways of coping with anxiety and stress?  What are they?

6.  Is there a better way to deal with anxiety and stress than the ways you talked about above?  Read Philippians 4:4-9 and 1 Peter 5:7-8.  What suggestions do these passages offer us, and how might our lives be better if we practiced them more often? (Rachel also mentioned "neuroplasticity," the idea that we can literally change our minds by letting Christ work in us through praise and worship.  God can literally renew our minds!)

7. Read v 33 once again. This is to be our singular, undivided focus. How can this singular focus impact our day to day? 

8. How can the practice of praying the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6: 9-13) help you in all this? Make a commitment to praying that this week.