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The Secret to Overcoming Anxiety
Talking Points:
- Step 1: Overthrow worry. Recognize anxiety for what it is and get ready to overcome it.
- Step 2: Replace anxiety with prayer. Instead of letting your worries trigger the anxiety cycle, let them trigger prayer instead!
- Step 3: Verbalize your needs. Getting specific with God about what you need can be a great way to calmly and objectively evaluate your anxiety.
- Step 4: Thank God for the wins in your life. Even in the midst of our scariest trials, there is still so much to be thankful for.
Discussion Questions:
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Describe your experience with anxiety. What are the top 3 things making you anxious right now?
- Review the anxiety cycle. How do you typically try to avoid anxiety? How has that failed you in the past?
- Read Philippians 4:6. What does it look like to overthrow worry without denying what you feel?
- Read 1 Chronicles 16:11. Share how prayer has helped you in a situation in the past? How does prayer disrupt the anxiety cycle?
- Why is it important to name the specific worries you have when you come to God in prayer?
- Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. How does thankfulness affect our perspective? What are some things for which you are thankful right now?
- Read Psalm 34:1-3. What does this passage emphasize? How will remembering God’s power and authority help you when you face trials in life?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
How to Preach This Sermon:
- Preview this sermon with the video, podcast, and article below.
- Access this sermon’s slide template on Canva and customize as needed.
- Preach this sermon and direct families, small groups, and mentors to pursuegod.org/anxious.
- Click on the dark gray tabs above for additional sermons in this series.
Why Control Freaks Get So Anxious
Talking Points:
- Control is just an illusion, and that’s why control freaks get so anxious.
- We’ve created heaven on earth, and the thought of Jesus’ return adds to our anxiety.
- Anxiety is a wake-up call, a thorn in the flesh to remind us of our dependence on God.
- Through all of the unexpected ups and downs, God is still on the throne of our lives.
- The practical response to control-freak anxiety is to rejoice in the Lord.
Discussion Questions:
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Share a time you tried to control a situation. What was the result of your efforts?
- Read Philippians 4:4-5. In your opinion, why don’t we look forward to heaven the same way the 1st century Christians did? What emotions do you have when you think about heaven?
- Read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. How does this passage speak to you? How have past hardships changed you and your eternal perspective?
- Read Isaiah 6:1-3 and Romans 11:33-36. What picture is painted in each of these passages? Why does remembering God’s power and authority help to alleviate anxiety?
- Read Philippians 4:4. Why did Paul rejoice in his circumstance? How can you rejoice in the midst of your struggles?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
How to Preach This Sermon:
- Preview this sermon with the video, podcast, and article below.
- Access this sermon’s slide template on Canva and customize as needed.
- Preach this sermon and direct families, small groups, and mentors to pursuegod.org/anxious.
- Click on the dark gray tabs above for additional sermons in this series.
When Your Thoughts Run Wild
Talking Points:
- Rumination is when your mind chews on something over and over, and it’s a classic symptom of anxiety.
- Anxiety is an emotion caused by the brain’s reaction to situations, not the situations themselves.
- Long before science understood the brain, the Bible offered a solution to anxiety: redirect your thoughts.
- When you win the battle in your mind, you can win it in your everyday life.
Discussion Questions:
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Share some of your ruminating thoughts. Why does that situation/person take up so much space in your mind? How have those obsessive thoughts disrupted your life?
- Review how the brain functions in regards to our emotions. Why is it important to remember that the situation isn’t actually the source of your anxiety?
- Read Philippians 4:8 and Ephesians 4:29. What does it look like practically to replace anxious thoughts with godly thoughts? What are some of the false thoughts that you need to replace with the truth?
- Read Psalm 139:23-24. Why is this a brave prayer to bring to God? What does it look like for God to test us and reveal offenses to us? What has God spoken to you about some of your past thoughts?
- Read Philippians 4:9. What will you start doing to create new habits in your thought life? What will you stop doing in order to overcome bad habits?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
How to Preach This Sermon:
- Preview this sermon with the video, podcast, and article below.
- Access this sermon’s slide template on Canva and customize as needed.
- Preach this sermon and direct families, small groups, and mentors to pursuegod.org/anxious.
- Click on the dark gray tabs above for additional sermons in this series.
When People Make You Anxious
Talking Points:
- Commit to being a peace-maker. It is a core value of the Christian faith.
- Put yourself in their shoes and see things from their perspective, too.
- Talk TO the person, not ABOUT them. Gossip is dishonoring and leads to more hurt.
- As Christ has modeled for us, sometimes you have to choose to absorb the offense.
Discussion Questions:
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Share about a relationship that creates anxiety for you. What is it about that person/situation that stresses you out the most?
- Read Philippians 4:2-3. What does Paul appeal to in this passage? How have you seen conflict between others create dysfunction in your family, friend group or church?
- Read Romans 12:17. What does it look like to have a heart that wants to make peace? How can you still be a peacemaker even if the other person isn’t ready for reconciliation?
- Read Philippians 2:4 and Psalm 139:23-24. How do you relate to “getting in the box” when you’re hurt by someone? What is required from us to be able to empathize with another point of view? Why is it vital for us to first listen to God’s opinion over our own feelings?
- Read Matthew 18:15. Describe the protocol in this passage. Why do so many people ignore it when they’re in conflict? How has gossip hurt you or others in your life?
- Read Philippians 2:5-8. Have you ever chosen to absorb an offense for the sake of peace? Explain. How does remembering what God absorbed for us impact the way we view others?
- Is there a person with whom you need to make peace. Pray for one another for the wisdom to know how to proceed.
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
How to Preach This Sermon:
- Preview this sermon with the video, podcast, and article below.
- Access this sermon’s slide template on Canva and customize as needed.
- Preach this sermon and direct families, small groups, and mentors to pursuegod.org/anxious.
- Click on the dark gray tabs above for additional sermons in this series.
When Finances Make You Anxious
Talking Points:
- When it comes to money, there’s a lot to be anxious about. God’s Word gives us the key to unlocking financial anxiety. Philippians 4:11-13
- The question is not whether God knows our needs, but whether we will exercise faith and trust He knows it. This is the challenge for those who are struggling to make ends meet.
- Many people have learned this surprising truth: if you have too much money, you’re probably still anxious! 1 Timothy 6:9-10
- Generosity releases the grip of money on your heart – whether you have too little or too much. 2 Corinthians 8:1-2
Discussion Questions:
- Read the talking points above as a group, including scripture references. What are your initial thoughts about these points or about the podcast lesson (see audio above)?
- Read Philippians 4:11-13. Share a time you were under financial stress and God provided for you. What did you learn from that experience?
- Read Matthew 6:28-30. What are some of your current worries? How do you need to apply this passage to those concerns?
- Read Matthew 6:24. Why can’t we serve two masters? How have you seen money derail Christians in the past?
- Put the “generosity paradox” in your own words. Why does generosity actually free us from financial anxiety? How has someone’s generosity impacted you?
- What will you do to grow in the spiritual discipline of giving this year?
- Harnessing Your Fear to Build Your Faith
- Jesus Calms a Storm (Mark 4:35-41)
- When Finances Make You Anxious
- When People Make You Anxious
- When Your Thoughts Run Wild
- Why Control Freaks Get So Anxious
- The Secret to Overcoming Anxiety
- Overcoming the Fear Mindset
- Is It Okay to Take Medication for Depression and Anxiety?
- Worry, Faith and Trust | Calm My Anxious Heart #5
- The Secret to Overcoming Anxiety
- A Life of Contentment | Calm My Anxious Heart #1
- Dealing with Eating Disorders
- The Secret to Overcoming Fear
- Did Jesus Practice Mindfulness Meditation?
- Trusting in God’s Protection (Psalm 121)
- 2 Timothy 1:7 | Life Verses for Parents #3
- Overcoming Fear as a Christian Athlete
- God Overcomes Our Insecurity | Outrageous #2
- When God Is Silent
- How Can I Stop Worrying?
- Future Stress: Stressed by What Might Happen
- Facing Fear
- How to Overcome Worry
- Three Fears Every Leader Must Face
- Jesus Talks with Someone Who Worries About Money