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How to Make a Worry Jar
Supplies:
2 Mason jars or similar containers with lids
Worry Jar and Scripture Jar labels
Adhesive
Blank paper cut into strips
Scripture Jar verses
Stickers or ribbon (optional)
Instructions:
1. Print out the Worry Jar and Scripture Jar labels.
2. Use adhesive to attach the Worry Jar label to the front of one Mason jar.
3. Use adhesive to attach the Philippians 4:6 label to the back of the Mason jar.
4. Use adhesive to attach the Scripture Jar label to the front of the other Mason
jar.
5. Use adhesive to attach the Philippians 4:8 label to the back of the Mason jar.
6. Add any other stickers or ribbon to personalize your jar.
7. Cut out strips of paper or find a small pad of paper to put with your worry jar.
8. Print out the Scripture Jar verses and cut them apart. Fold the paper in half
and put the verses in the Scripture Jar.
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.
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
Jar
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
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
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