Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
Week 6: Chapter 5 — God Is Near
Read Chapter 5 of Anxious for Nothing. Primary Scripture: Philippians 4:5; Psalm 46:1.
Want the full guide for Anxious for Nothing?
Free Week 1 sample in 5 min · $24.99 for all 10 weeks · 7-day refund
Before the famous peace passage in Philippians 4, Paul slips in a quiet but explosive sentence: 'The Lord is near.' This chapter unpacks why God's nearness is the foundation beneath all the CALM practices.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Philippians 4:5 says, 'The Lord is near.' Lucado points out that this sentence comes just before the command 'be anxious for nothing' — as if Paul wants to establish the theological foundation before issuing the practical instruction. Why does God's nearness logically precede and enable the CALM practices?
2.Lucado distinguishes between believing God is near in a general, theological sense and actually experiencing or practicing his presence moment by moment. Do you tend to live in the first category or the second? What is the gap between what you believe and what you experience?
3.Lucado draws on the image of God as Emmanuel — 'God with us' — as the heartbeat of the Christmas story and of the whole Christian life. How does the incarnation (God becoming flesh and living among us) specifically address the fear of being alone in our suffering?
You're on Week 6 of 10
Don't lose momentum — get the rest of Anxious for Nothing
All 74 questions across 10 weeks, with closing prayers and a downloadable PDF for your group.
One-time purchase · 7-day refund · Covers your whole group