Thanks, I Needed That! Bible Study

Please read the introduction to this Bible study: Thanks, I Needed That! It explains how a Christian sister identified my need to dwell on Scripture. I was grateful and told her, "Thanks, sis, I needed that!"

Then I headed to my Bible and reminded myself of my position in Christ.

1. What truths in these passages help us overcome worry? 

Matthew 6:25-34: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 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? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? 28 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." 

How do the word pictures (Solomon's splendor, grass of the field) help us better understand the truths in this passage? 

Isn't it a comfort to have God acknowledge that we daily face difficulties (v. 34)? Jesus also gives us this comfort in John 16:33.

Philippians 4:4-9: "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." 

Why do you think Paul "says it again"? See Philippians 3:1 for the answer.

What purpose is served by dwelling on good things? See 3 Ways to Take our Thoughts Captive.

2. What are some practical ways we can let the message of Christ "dwell in us"?

Colossians 3:16-17: "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." 

These 1-Minute Bible Love Notes will supplement the message of this study, so I encourage you to take a moment and read them:
Practicing Gratefulness
90% of the Time We're Wrong 
Worry is Based on a Small View of God

copyright 2013, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2020 

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