Coastline Bible Church is doing an eight-week sermon series called: "Defined by Joy." The Apostle Paul helped plant the church in Philippi (see Acts 16) but never forget about them. They played a key role in supporting him as God called him to plant other churches. From this series we want to learn how to have our lives defined by joy and not circumstances. Paul modeled this well to the early church. For this sermon Joey Ross preached and wrote the questions below. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.
Small Group Questions | Peace in an Age of Rage and Anxiety | Philippians 4:1-9
Paul begins to close his letter to the Philippians with some very practical exhortations. He encourages them those who are at odds to iron out their difference and make up and encourages those may be fretting and worried (anxious) to give up their anxiety. Both of these calls to live at peace with others and to have inner peace are rooted in one things. Taking an unchanging grip on the unchanging life of Jesus Christ within us. It is only in his presence that true peace is made possible. Discuss in your group the following questions, in order that we might encourage one another to be peacemakers and non anxious presence in culture defined by rage and anxiety.
1) Read Philippians 4:1, Paul says in light of everything that he has said in the book of Philippians that he wants the best for us and the best for us is to hold tight/ stand firm in the Lord. When has it been difficult for you to hold on to Jesus? What circumstance tempt you most to let go?
2) Read Philippians 4:2-5 and John 13:35. How does Jesus say others will know we are his disciples? Do you think Christians are good at loving each other and resolving conflict? Why/ Why not?
3) When talking with the women in conflict in Philippi, he tells them the key to resolving their conflict is to agree in the Lord and to rejoice in the Lord. What do you think it means to agree in the Lord? Why is that so important to Paul?
4) Read Philippians 4:6-9. Have you ever experienced severe anxiety or sleepless night? If you would be so vulnerable would you be willing to share what the source of it was.
5) Read James 1:2-4. The peace of God is an inner calm found in the presence of God. Similar to joy, peace does not seem to be built on our circumstances. Why do you think that is? Why might it be more important that it is not?
6) Paul encourages us to think, pray w/thanksgiving, and love God as remedies for anxiety. Giving thanks even when we don’t feel like it can be a powerful exercise in priming the pump and giving us a heart of gratitude. What are you thankful for today? And why is giving God thanks even before he answers our request so important.
7) Close your time in prayer by praying for: Ukrainian Missionaries with International Partnerships
No comments:
Post a Comment