Life Group Notes for Sunday 7 March – Philippians 4:4-9

 

Life Group Notes for Sunday 7 March  – Philippians 4:4-9

Philippians 4:4–9 (ESV) — 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Big idea: Christians don’t have it all together but we are given help – something to rejoice in and someone to trust in

Something to rejoice in:

  • The Christian good news message is that the separation from God and spiritual death has been done away with.
  •  We have a God who has done something about our brokenness, freeing us into a relationship with God. We now longer have to fear.

Someone to trust:

  • Paul calls us to turn to God and trust Him with our fears.
  • He has given us a promise – Matthew 6:25-34
  • He has given us a purpose – Eph 2:10

Questions for discussion:

  1. What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord? Why do you think he specifies “always”? Describe how it might be possible to do this even in hard times.
  2. How do we connect the idea of trust with prayer? How does prayer bring peace?
  3. What do our hearts and minds need to be guarded or protected from? How are we guarded “in Christ Jesus”?
  4. What other words might we use in verse 8? How does this clarify what Paul is talking about?
  5. Read Philippians 1:27, 2:2, 2:5, 3:15, 3:19, 4:8. Notice how often Paul talks about the life of the mind.
    1. What sorts of things occupy your mind? How does your preoccupation with these things affect your relationships? How does it affect your joy in the Lord? How does it affect your peace or your relationship with the God of peace?
  6. What about Jesus, his person or work, is most joyful to you? Share with the group. Where have you seen God at work in your life for which you are thankful?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.