Small Group Guide – Part 3: Seeking the Kingdom First

This is a study guide based on the blog post: Part 3: Seeking the Kingdom First

Key Verse:

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

🧠 Opening Thought

Anxiety is the soundtrack of tomorrow’s “what ifs.” But Jesus invites us to reorient our focus—from what we lack to who we follow. When we obsess over provision, worry thrives. When we pursue the Provider, trust takes root.

🗣 Icebreaker Question

What’s something small you worried about this week—but in the end, wasn’t worth the stress?

Read Together

• Matthew 6:25–34
• Philippians 4:6–7

Discussion Questions

1. Worry’s Grip
   • What kinds of needs do you most often worry about—time, money, health, relationships?
   • How does focusing on “tomorrow” shift your attention away from God’s presence today?
2. God’s Reordering
   • Jesus doesn’t say needs aren’t real—but He does say they’re not first. What does that distinction look like in your life?
   • How does our culture encourage the opposite of “seeking first the Kingdom”?
3. Faith in Focus
   • Jesus mentions birds and lilies. What message is He giving us about value and trust?
   • Can you share a moment when seeking God first brought unexpected peace or provision?
4. Personal Filter
   • What daily habits or worries compete with Kingdom-first living?
   • Try finishing this sentence: “If I truly believed God would provide, I would stop worrying about ____.”

Practical Applications

• Start the Day in Surrender: Choose a “first” moment each morning to pray: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done in me today.”
• Guard Your Inputs: Reflect—what voices most impact your thoughts: media, conversations, expectations? What might need muting?
• Name and Release: Try journaling one anxious thought a day, then prayerfully surrendering it.
• Practice Kingdom Generosity: As a group, brainstorm a simple way to serve someone this week. Declare with your actions: “God is my provider, not my possessions.”

Closing Prayer Prompt

Invite the group to a few quiet moments. Encourage members to silently name a worry, then open their hands as a gesture of release. Pray together for Kingdom eyes and a deeper trust in the God who provides.

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