Supplies: 2 Mason jars Ribbon Washi Tape Hole Punch Printer & paper Instructions: 1. Print/cut out the Worry Jar and Scripture Jar Tags. 2. Decorate the bottoms of the jars with washi tape 3. Tie ribbons around the mouths of the jars while attaching one gift tag to each ribbon. 4. Cut out Scripture Strips and blank Worry Strips. 5. Fold the blank Worry Strips in half and keep them outside the jar. If you run out, just print page 5 again. 6. Place the Scripture Strips in the other jar. everydaytruth.net
How To Use Your Worry Jar A worry jar is designed to help kids follow the admonishment in 2 Corinthians 10:5 to take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. A worry jar gives kids a visual example of how to take their thoughts captive and make them obedient. It also gives them a tangible way to replace their worry thoughts with thoughts that are obedient to Christ. Follow these instructions to get started using your worry jar. 1. Talk with your kids about how God views worry. God commands us not to worry. When we don t do what God commands, it is a sin. That makes worry a sin. Talk about how God tells us not to worry because it s bad for us. It can make us sick, grumpy and afraid. 2. Read Philippians 4:6 with your kids. Talk about how God wants us to turn all of our worries over to Him. Explain that a worry jar will help us do that. 3. Read 2 Corinthians 10:5 with your kids. Talk about what it means to take your thoughts captive and make them obedient. Explain that we can do that by turning our worries over to God and replacing them with His thoughts. 4. Show your kids the Worry Jar and paper strips. Explain that every time they begin to worry, you want them to write down their worry and place it in the jar, with the lid screwed on tight. When they place it in the jar, they should tell God they are giving their worry to Him. 5. Read Philippians 4:8 with your kids. Talk about the things that God wants us to think about that fit the criteria of this verse. Explain that worry does not fall into any of these categories. Talk about how making our thoughts obedient to Christ means we need to replace our worry thoughts with thoughts that fit this verse. 6. After they place their worry in the worry jar, have your child take a scripture from the Scripture Jar. Tell them to carry that paper with them all day. Every time they begin to worry about anything, they should tell God they don t want to worry and read the scripture instead. This helps them to replace the worry with things that God wants them to think about. 2
Jar Tags SCRIPTURE JAR whatever is... true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, if anything is excellent or praisewothy think about such things. from Philippians 4:8 WORRY JAR Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer, and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God Philippians 4:6 Scripture Strips In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Psalm 33:21 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3 3
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:5 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:8 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Matthew 6:25 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Matthew 6:27 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:2 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7
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