Bible Studies: Freedom From Worry and Anxiety – Part I

The Scripture: Matthew 6:25-27, 30-33

“Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about our body, what you will wear…Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?…O you of little faith?…do not worry…Your Heavenly Father knows that you need them (food and clothing). But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things (food, drink, clothing) will be given to you as well.”

1. What does Jesus tell His listeners?

2. How does He see us in comparison to the birds?

3. Why is worry futile?

4. What assurance does Jesus give His listeners?

5. What should be our top priority?

What is there about giving God’s kingdom and His righteousness top priority in our lives that has the power to banish worry? Let’s look at the Kingdom of God first. Just what is it?

A simple definition might be: The manifestation of the rule of God and His people on the earth.

To this, Scripture adds:

The Scripture: Romans 14:17

“The Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

6. How does Paul describe the Kingdom of God?

Righteousness, peace and joy—not material possessions, not distractions that take us from the Lord, and not carrying around a set of heavy burdens.

This can be broken down into three parts: entering the Kingdom, remaining in the Kingdom, and serving in the Kingdom. Those wishing to become citizens of the Kingdom of God must first pass its entrance requirements.

The Scripture: John 3:3

“Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ “

7. What is the first requirement?

Just as we are born into an earthly kingdom, we must also be born spiritually.

The Scripture: Matthew 7:21

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven (God), but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

8. What is a second requirement?

The Scripture: Acts 14:22

“Then they (Paul and Barnabas) returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”

9. What do Paul and Barnabas warn must happen to enable us to enter the Kingdom of God?

Most of us in the western world do not know what is to suffer for our faith. But in many parts of the world today, people are suffering great hardships to belong to God and His Kingdom. Just as entering the Kingdom is not easy, neither is remaining there.

The Scripture: Matthew 5:10

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

10. What is necessary to remain in the Kingdom of God?

Scripture also gives us the requirements for serving in the Kingdom. In Luke, Jesus gives us an important one.

The Scripture: Luke 9:62

“Jesus [said], ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’”

11. What makes a person ineligible for service in the kingdom of God?

As human beings we spend an inordinate amount of time looking back (what might have been) and worrying about the future (what is going to happen) but God says those who serve in His kingdom must live in the now–today.

Now let’s take a short look at the righteousness Jesus talks about. The simplest definition of righteousness is a right relationship or standing with God. Jesus achieved this for us when He died on the cross. In dying, He exchanged His righteousness for ours. Why was this exchange necessary? What is wrong with our own righteousness?

The Scripture: Isaiah 64:6

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.”

12. How does God see our righteous acts (our righteousness)?

Yes, our own righteousness is worthless as far as God is concerned. That is why it’s necessary for Him to give us His righteousness. But once we have it, we must still maintain it. How do we do this?

The Scripture: Matthew 5:6

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

13. What must our attitude toward righteousness be?

14. What will be our reward?

Jesus is not talking about some lukewarm emotion or good intentions. He is talking about hungering and thirsting for righteousness. Only when righteousness is as important to us as food and drink will we be filled.