Sermon Study Questions

Philippians 4:10-19 - “Learning The Secret Of Being Content”

1. Chapter four of Philippians contains many memorable Scripture verses that encourage our daily walk with Christ.  What verse is most meaningful to you?  Why?
2. What are Paul’s current circumstances in which he is writing this letter (hint:1:13, 14)?  Try to imagine Paul’s emotions and thoughts as he faces these circumstances.  How does he see God’s hand in all these things?
3. Is there a difference between happiness and contentment?  What might those differences be?  What role does one’s circumstances play in happiness and in contentment?  What are some of your experiences that confirm the differences?
4. Why do you think Paul emphasizes that contentment must be learned?  What lessons are learned from abounding prosperity and devastating hardships in our lives?  Which extreme is the hardest for you?  Why?
5. At the top of the New York Times best selling self-help books is a book entitled “The Secret”.  It emphasizes that the “law of attraction” is central to life and if you think positive thoughts, your wishes will be fulfilled.  In addition, the book emphasizes that we are at the center of life, really god-like thinking, so the power for success is in our hands.  How does Paul’s secret of contentment differ from this popular book (hint: see verses 10-13)?
6. Consider Paul’s strong statement in verse 13 that “I can do all everything through him who gives me strength”.  What does Paul NOT mean by this verse?  What does he mean as seen in the context of the abounding prosperity and devastating hardships mentioned in verses 11 and 12?  How might we respond to the swings of circumstances in our lives?  How do “pride” and “despair” play a part in the way we respond to the swings of circumstances?  How have you applied this verse to your life in the past?  How should you apply this verse in the future?
7. Paul emphasizes that learning the secret of being content is an inside job.  Do you agree or disagree? What is this secret and why is it at the focal point of each Christian’s life?
8. Think about the relationship of Paul and the Philippians as seen in 4:14-19.  Do you think the Philippians showed contentment in their actions?  If so, how did it show?  If not, what was missing?  How do you display contentment in your life?  How does BG illustrated a corporate contentment?
9. Is there such a think as ‘holy discontentment”?  What’s the connection between 3:12-17 and 4:10-19?  Why should we “press on to take hold of that which Christ took hold of me”?  How does this “holy discontentment” get tempered by God’s grace?
10. Are you part of a small group at BG?  Have you allowed others to share in your joys and sorrows?  What are you grateful for at this moment in your life?  How are you generous toward others?  What connection does gratitude and generosity have with contentment?
11. Do you have a living day-to-day relationship with Jesus Christ?  Why is this truth the wonderful secret of Paul’s contentment and confidence?  Why is this truth at the center of all Christ-followers who long to live lives worthy of the Gospel?

Ask the Lord to use this meditation of His Word to increase our love for Him and for each other as we seek to live daily by the grace of God.

Philippians 4:2-9 - “The Peace of God and the God of Peace”

1. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is full of personal interest and concern for his friends in Philippi. Review the first three chapters by identifying the relational connectedness and difficulties addressed in the letter. Where you surprised by any of the difficulties?
2. In chapter four, Paul strings together a list of exhortations that are tied to the conflicted relationship of Euodia and Syntyche. How do these exhortations help address the major relational difficulties that are impacting that local church?
3. How does Paul describe the conflict between these two women? What does he say about their actions and attitudes? What does he not say and do?
4. What are the immediate action steps Paul wants these friends to take? What happens when people contend against each other and do not contend together for the sake of the Gospel? Are you in a broken relationship that is impacting others within the local church? What steps should you take to address this brokenness?
5. At first glance, it seems that Paul is simplistic in his counsel.  Why are his suggestions anything but simplistic?
6. Anxiety seems to be part of life in a fallen world. When Paul states: “Don’t be anxious about anything”, is he realistic? What are the areas of your life that cause you worry and sleepless nights? How does prayer address your anxious thoughts?
7. When Paul tells us to: “instead pray about everything”, what is he suggesting that we do? How do the different “prayer” words of this verse give us direction as to how we should pray? Why MUST we remember that the Lord is near?
8. How does the peace of God guard one’s emotions? How does it guard one’s thinking?
9. Why does Paul’s continual emphasis on being in Christ Jesus ring true? How does this truth address our conflicts with others? How is this emphasis crucial for our times of stress? What does the Gospel say about how we live our lives before God?
10. When we sing “Lord, make us instruments of your peace”, what are we asking Him to do? Will you seek this week to let the peace of God flow through you in your relationships and in all areas of your life? If so, what might that look like in your most difficult situation? What would change in your life?

Ask the Lord to use this meditation of His Word to increase our love for Him and for each other as we seek to live daily by the grace of God.