GROW IN FAITH 12 – Trust Instead of Worry

Learning to Rest in God

Opening Prayer

Father in heaven,
You know what troubles us.
Calm our hearts.
Teach us to trust You
instead of giving in to worry.
Amen.

Part One

Why We Worry

Everyone worries sometimes.

We may worry about:

School

Friends

Being left out

Making mistakes

The future

Worry often begins as a small thought.

Then it grows.

We imagine what might happen.
We replay what already happened.
We feel restless inside.

Jesus speaks clearly about this.

Scripture

“Be not concerned therefore, saying, What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or with what shall we be clothed? …
For your Father knows that you have need of all these things.”
(Matthew 6:31–32)

Think and Discuss

What kinds of things make people worry?

Does worrying solve problems?

Why does Jesus remind us that the Father knows our needs?

What is the difference between planning and worrying?

Listen without dismissing real concerns.

Part Two

What Trust Really Means

Trust does not mean pretending problems do not exist.

It means believing that God sees them.

When Jesus says not to worry,
He does not mean we should never think about tomorrow.

He means we should not let fear rule us.

God is Father.

He knows what we need
even before we ask.

Trust grows when we remember:

God is in control.

God is good.

God does not abandon us.

Worry tries to carry everything alone.

Trust hands things over to God.

Guidance for Adults

Do not minimise genuine anxiety.
Help children distinguish between responsible planning and anxious overthinking.
Model calm trust in daily difficulties.

Part Three

How to Move From Worry to Trust

When worry begins,
we can take small steps:

Pause and breathe slowly.

Say a short prayer.

Speak our fear honestly to God.

Do what we can — and leave the rest to Him.

A simple prayer helps:

“Father, I trust You.”

Sometimes we must say it many times.

Trust grows through repetition.

Peace does not always come immediately,
but it grows when we turn toward God.

Over time,
the habit of trust becomes stronger than the habit of worry.

Quiet Reflection

Sit quietly for a moment.

Think of something that worries you.

Now imagine placing that worry into God’s hands.

Say quietly:

“Father, I trust You.”

Remain in silence together.

Practise This Week

Choose one:

• When worried, pray before speaking.
• Write one worry down and place it somewhere as a sign of giving it to God.
• Each night, thank God for one way He cared for you.
• Limit one source of unnecessary anxiety.

Choose one and keep it steady.

Optional Response

Choose one:

Memory
Repeat slowly:
“Your Father knoweth that you have need.”
Say it three times thoughtfully.

Gesture
Hold your hands open in front of you.
Imagine placing your worry there.
Then slowly lower your hands and say:
“I give this to You.”

Closing Prayer

Father,
You know what we need.
Free us from anxious hearts.
Help us trust Your care.
Give us peace in the middle of difficulty.
Amen.