“My God will meet all your needs.” (Philippians 4:19) “My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with His wonderful riches that come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
Why does the Lord command his disciples to not be anxious about anything? Certainly food and clothing are proper concerns. What makes these concerns foolish and harmful is thinking and acting anxiously about them. Jesus specifically says "do not be of anxious mind" (Luke 12:29). The root word for "anxiety" literally means "being of two minds". An anxious person is divided, "tossed to and fro", and often paralyzed by indecision. Fear of failure or some bad outcome usually cripples those afflicted with anxiety. What can free us from anxiety? The apostle Peter tells us to "cast all our anxieties on God, for he cares about us" (1 Peter 5:7). Trust and submission to God is the antidote to self-concern and anxiety for one's life. Our Father in heaven knows our needs better than we do. Do you place your security in what you possess or in God who possesses you as his beloved son or daughter?
Jesus uses the illustration of nature — the birds and the flowers — to show how God provides for them in the natural order of his creation. How much more can we, as his children, rely upon God's providential care? God is utterly reliable. In the Lord's Prayer we are reminded that God is our provider when we pray: Give us this day our daily bread. What is bread, but the very staple of life and symbol of all that we need to live and grow. Anxiety is neither helpful nor necessary. It robs us of faith and confidence in God's help and it saps our energy for doing good. Jesus admonishes his followers to put away anxiety and preoccupation with material things and instead to seek first the things of God — his kingdom and righteousness. Anxiety robs the heart of trust in the mercy and goodness of God and in his loving care for us. God knows our needs even before we ask and he gives generously to those who trust in him. Do you cast your cares and concerns upon the Lord with trust and faith?
"Lord, free me from needless worries and help me to put you first in my thoughts and concerns. May I seek your kingdom and righteousness above all else and live each day with gratitude and trust for your providential care for me".
Bible Story Do Not Worry Luke 12:22-34 Read from your Bible. Ask students to find it in a Bible too. Those that can read can follow along. Choose the passages you would like to read aloud. Use Tell the Story below. Use visuals to help tell the story. Use a picture Bible to help children see the story.
After Jesus taught the crowd, He had more to say to His disciples. He looked at them and told them, “Don’t worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear.” Jesus said that there is more to life than food and clothing.
Then Jesus told His followers to look at the birds called ravens. He said that the birds do not have to plant crops or put them in barns to store them, because God feeds them. Jesus said that we are much more important to God than birds! So He will take care of our needs also.
Jesus said that we should not worry about the things of earth because God will take care of us. Then Jesus used another example. He said to look at the lilies. Lilies are beautiful flowers. Jesus said that the lilies grow on their own. They don’t work or make clothing, and yet nothing is more beautiful! Jesus said that even King Solomon, who was very rich, never dressed as beautifully as the lilies!
Jesus said, “And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t He more surely care for you?” Jesus said that we also should not worry about the food we will eat. We shouldn’t worry about whether God will provide for us. He said that many people’s thoughts are filled with worry about where their food will come from. He said we should not be like that, but instead we should trust God to give us what we need.
Jesus said we need to put God first in our lives. When we do this, He will take care of our needs. It may not be the exact thing we want, but God will always give us what we need. But Jesus didn’t stop there. He commanded His disciples to share what they had with others. He said when we give up what we have; we are storing up treasures in Heaven. And He said that we cannot lose that treasure. No one can steal it from us. Jesus was concerned about what we think most about. The things we think most about are the most important to us. If we are constantly thinking about the next game or toy we want, that is most important to us. If we are worried about how much our next allowance will be, money is most important to us. But if we think about studying God’s Word, praying, and pleasing God, then God’s Kingdom is most important to us.
Talk about it: 1. Jesus taught His disciples not to worry. What two things did He say not to worry about? 2. Jesus used two things that God made as examples of how God takes care of us. What were those two examples? 3. What should we put first in our lives?
God’s Word In My Heart “My God will meet all your needs.” (Philippians 4:19)
Read this passage from your Bible. Help children learn this verse.
Activity Heart of the Matter Supplies: Magnifying glass or glasses Paper Pencils Paper plates Scraping or samples from assorted items The following information on the board or copied onto paper: What I See Color _______________ Shape ______________ Texture ______________
I think I’m looking at the heart of a ________________________.
Before class cut small samples of some of these items or others that you may have already: Orange peel, Styrofoam, tree bark, soap, crayons, chalk, hard candy, pretzels, Cotton balls, shredded paper, plant leaves, lint, or other items!
God sees what’s in our hearts. Let’s practice looking into the heart of things to see what they’re made of. Use a magnifying glass to check out what’s on these plates.
Talk about it: What can you tell by looking at the hearts of people that you can’t tell by looking at the outside? How can you see other people the way God sees them? Do you think these items were concerned about what they were going to wear? Or eat?
“My God will meet all your needs.” (Philippians 4:19)
“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Lead the Game One way to show faithfulness is by continuing to do what God wants us to do without giving up when we’re tired or bored. Let’s practice continuing to do something during our game today.
Students form two equal teams. Teams line up on one side of the playing area.
At your signal, the first student on each team runs to the other side of the playing area, does 10 jumping jacks and runs back to his or her team. The next student in line repeats the action.
Students continue until everyone has completed the relay. Have a volunteer from the first team to complete the relay answer one of the Discussion Questions below.
Repeat relay with a new action such as clapping 10 times, touching toes or hopping on one foot.
Option For older students, play this game with two hula hoops: each team stands in a circle and holds hands. One pair of students on each team holds hands through the hula hoop. At your signal, one of the students from each pair begins moving the hula hoop around the circle without unclasping hands—each student slides hula hoop over his or her head, steps through and slides it along arms and over the next person’s head. Teams race to move hula hoop around the circle three times.
Discussion Questions 1. Have a student read Galatians 6:9 aloud. What does Galatians 6:9 say that we should continue doing? 2. We can do good by obeying what God wants us to do. How do we find out what God wants us to do? 3. What are some of the things you already know that God wants you to do? When can you (be kind) to others at home? At school?
Closing Activity Close by saying: Thank you God for loving us every day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Blessing:May God, who is all around you, Beginning at the bottom of the circle, slowly pour his love upon you.make a large circle with your hands. Finish by bringing your hands down and wiggling the fingers to resemble rain.) And Jesus, his life a sacrifice,Slowly make a large sign of the cross. Then walk right there beside you.move your hands out to the sides. And may God’s Holy Spirit, Cross your hands over the heart. the one who lives inside you, keep you strong, Move to a “strong man” position. Then comfort, lead and guide you!cross your arms with the hands on corresponding upper arms to communicate comfort. Bring one hand forward with “lead” and the other with “guide” to complete the blessing.)
