As a teenager, life can feel overwhelming. You’re juggling school, friendships, family pressures, sports, and even trying to figure out your future. It’s easy to feel anxious or stressed out, especially when things don’t go as planned. But God cares deeply about your worries and anxieties. He invites you to trust Him with your concerns and lean on His promises. This lesson will explore what the Bible says about dealing with anxiety and how we can find peace in God, even during the most stressful times.
Bible Reading 1: Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- Paul tells us to not be anxious about anything. This doesn’t mean we won’t ever feel anxious, but it means we can bring our worries to God.
- Prayer is the key here. God wants us to talk to Him about what’s stressing us out and trust Him with the outcome.
- When we do this, God promises to give us peace that doesn’t make sense in worldly terms—peace that goes beyond the situation.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What are some things in your life right now that make you feel anxious or worried?
- How do you normally deal with stress or anxiety? Do you ever talk to God about it?
- What do you think it means that God’s peace can “guard your heart and mind”?
Bible Reading 2: Matthew 6:31-34 (NLT)
“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- Jesus reminds us not to stress over everyday needs, because God knows exactly what we need before we even ask.
- The key is focusing on God’s Kingdom—trusting Him with your future and what you’ll need. Instead of letting your mind be consumed with “what ifs,” shift your focus to God’s goodness.
- Jesus also teaches us to focus on today, not tomorrow. Worrying about the future doesn’t change anything but keeps us from living fully in the present.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What are some things you tend to worry about in the future? How can you begin to trust God with those worries?
- Why do you think Jesus encourages us to focus on today instead of worrying about tomorrow?
- In what ways could seeking God’s Kingdom (living for Him) help reduce your anxiety?
Bible Reading 3: 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- This verse is simple but powerful: God actually wants you to cast your anxiety on Him. This means you don’t have to carry your burdens alone.
- The reason we can trust God with our anxieties is because He cares for us. He’s not distant or uninterested—He’s a loving Father who is deeply invested in your life.
- “Casting” means to throw or toss something. It’s not a light action, it’s an intentional decision to give your burdens to God and trust Him to handle them.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What are some ways you can “cast” your anxiety on God? How can you do that practically?
- How does it make you feel to know that God cares for you and wants to help carry your burdens?
- Why do you think it’s hard for us to let go of our anxiety sometimes, even though we know God cares?
Youth Group Game: “Stress Toss”
- Objective: The goal is to symbolically “cast” your anxieties onto God.
- How to Play: Give each student a small object (like a ball or beanbag) to represent their anxiety or stress. Have them write a word or phrase on it (or imagine it) that represents their current worries. Set up a bin at the front of the room labeled “God.” One by one, the students will toss their “anxieties” into the bin while saying a quick prayer, casting their worries on God.
- Debrief: After everyone has participated, discuss how it felt to physically toss their anxieties away and the importance of leaving them with God, not taking them back.
Closing Prayer
Dear God, thank You for caring about the things that worry and stress us out. Help us to trust You more with our anxiety and to bring everything to You in prayer. We ask for Your peace to guard our hearts and minds this week, especially when life feels overwhelming. Help us to remember that You are always with us and that You care deeply for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.