Sunday School Lesson February 18, 2024
Subject: Confident Faith
The Point: Faith displaces worry.
Scriptures: Luke 12:22-34
Study The Bible: Luke 12:22-26
1). Worry does not help.
- Then he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear.
- For life is more than food and the body more than clothing.
- Consider the ravens; They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?
- Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying?
- If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?
Lasting truths from: Luke 12:22-26
* We can trust God to provide what we need.
* Worry is unproductive.
* Worry smothers trust.
* Rather than worry about material things, look at how God has blessed you and continues to work on your behalf.
2). God knows what we need.
Luke 12:27-30
- “Consider how the wildflowers grow; They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these.
- If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you – you of little faith?
- Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious.
- For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
Lasting truths from: Luke 12:27-30
* Worry and anxiety are characteristic of unbelievers not people of faith.
* Because God is a God of love, He will take care of His children.
* God knows what we need.
3). Seek the kingdom, trust the Father.
Luke 12:31-34
- “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you.
- Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom.
- Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
- For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Lasting truths from: Luke 12:31-34
* Pursing the rule of God is to be the priority of a disciple of Jesus.
* The possessions of the world are temporal; the things of God are eternal.
* We will be driven to invest ourselves in whatever is at the center of our being; that which is most important to us.
* Our attitude toward possessions becomes a measure of the depth of our discipleship.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- In light of Bock’s statement, what does your heart and pocketbook say about your perspective on possessions, your relationship to the Father, and your faith in Him?
- Whether you have a little or a lot of the things of this world, how satisfied are you that you are living in a way that indicates you are investing in eternal treasures?
- What changes do you need to make to keep a godly focus on life, whereby you do not become a victim of a system of materialism and are not overwhelmed by anxiety?
- Who is the master of your life? What evidence do you point to as support for your answer? Would others who observe you agree with you and accept your assessment?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”
“If this lesson has been a blessing to you, leave us a comment.”