REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“Season Stoppers & Blessing Blockers”

 

ICEBREAKER: Sometimes cartoons are a great way to laugh and get your mind off your problems. Growing up or even right now, what was/is your favorite cartoon and why?

 

OUTLINE:  Worry (Greek)Merimnao: To be anxious, to be distracted, to have a divided mind

 

TEXT: Philippians 4:6-8,

 

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1.         How would you define the difference between destructive worry and constructive concern? (Leaders see next page)

2.         Rank the following list of concerns?

a. Hunger                        1.

b. Clothing                      2.

c. Job security                 3.

d. Economy                     4.

e. Terrorism                    5.

f. Health                        6.

g. Family                       7.

h. Bills                           8.

i. Housing                      9.

j. Gas/Oil                      10.

    3.  What would you say is the biggest season stopper & blessing blocker in

         the life of most believers? Explain.

             a. Disbelief

             b. Deception

             c. Distrust

             d. Disobedience

             e. Distrust

             f. Discouragement

             g. Dissention

             i. Depression

             j. ______________________________________________________

    4. According to Philippians 4:8, what 7 ingredients determine whether a

       thought is allowed to stay in your mind?

            a.

            b.

            c.

            d.

            e.

            f.

            g.

    5. I Peter 1:5 says to cast your care upon the Lord.  What has been or is the hardest care for

        you to cast upon the Lord and leave it there?                                      

    6. Worry steals your hope, your strength, your creativity, your faith and your courage. In

        what setting or atmosphere do you feel most creative and peaceful?

a.      The Beach     e. The Car          i. The Movies

b.     The Office     f. At School        j. The Woods

c.     At Home       g. The Library     k. The Mountains

d.     The Mall       h. The Park         l. ____________________________

The Differences Between Destructive Worry and Constructive Concern

 

Destructive Worry                         Constructive Concern

 

1. Paralyzes                                       1. Motivates

2. Decreases Creativity                      2. Increases Creativity

3. Prevents Initiative                         3. Promotes Initiative

4. Results in Anxious fretting            4.  Results in Calm focusing

5. Attempts to control the future      5.  Attempts to improve the future

6. Fears the worst                             6.  Hopes for the best

7. Appears negative to others            7. Appears positive to others

8. Distracts the mind                         8. Directs the mind

9. Example:                                       9. Example:

“I’m so worried that my child might      “I’m so concerned that my child

drown that I’m never going to                 can’t swim that I’ve made plans

let him/her near the water.”                  to give him/her swinmming

                                                               lessons.”