Series: Mixed Emotions – Message 2 of 5 Finding Relief from Anxiety

Icebreaker

• What’s something that tends to make you anxious or stressed out?

• How do you usually respond when you start to feel anxiety rise?

Discussion: “Even Jesus Battled Anxiety”

Read Mark 14:32–34 (NLT)

32 They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

1. Why do you think it’s comforting to know that Jesus Himself experienced anxiety?

2.  Pastor Don said, “Feeling anxiety in a moment doesn’t mean you’ve let God down.” How does that truth help reshape your view of faith and mental health?

1) TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS

3. How can having the right community (godly friends, Life Group, church) make a difference when we’re struggling with anxiety?

4. Pastor Don said, “It’s not good to be alone.” What can we do to make sure no one in our church walks through anxiety alone?

2) TALK TO YOUR FATHER

Read: Philippians 4:6–7 (NLT)

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Read: Mark 14:35–36 (NLT)

35 He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by.36 “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

5. How does anxiety act as a “signal” reminding us to pray instead of something to feel ashamed of?

6. Share a time when you felt peace after praying about something that was worrying you.

“If it’s big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about.”

7. What’s one thing this week you need to take to God in prayer?

3) TALK TO YOUR FEELINGS

8. What are some truths from Scripture we can speak over our emotions when we feel anxious?

9. Pastor Don said, “Align your feelings with your faith.” What does that look like practically for you this week?

Wrap-Up: From Anxiety to Peace

• What did Jesus do when He faced anxiety? → He talked to His Friends, His Father, and His Feelings.

10. Which of those three do you need to focus on most right now — and why?

Pray Philippians 4:6–7 aloud over the group:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything… His peace will guard your hearts and minds.”