11/15 AGAPE Life

Session 7: Philippians 4:1–9

​SESSION GOALS
Main Idea: When we live sacrificially, we become more obedient to God in our hearts, minds, and actions.
Head Change: To know practical ways we can obey God with our hearts, minds, and actions.
Heart Change: To feel convicted about the ways we are notobeying God.
Life Change: To surrender our attitudes, thoughts, and actions to God. 

OPEN
Every culture has unspoken rules—societal norms everyone follows but no one talks about. What are some unspoken rules you’ve noticed? What’s it like when someone doesn’t follow the unspoken rule?
Whether it’s allowing people to leave an elevator before you enter or lowering your voice in a museum, there are thousands of rules we follow without thinking twice about them. Obeying God, though, often feels harder than following an unspoken rule. It requires discipline, intentionality, and adherence to the Holy Spirit. This session will walk us through some practical ways we can walk in obedience to God so that it becomes as natural to us as following an unspoken rule.

DISCUSS verse 1:
Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

1. Paul continued to remind the Philippians to adopt his mindset, and now he gives his reason behind his encouragement in chapter 4. What’s Paul’s goal for the Philippians? What does it mean for them to stand firm in their faith?
2. The church faces opposition on all sides—from Judaizers to Roman persecution. Paul wants the Philippians to keep going—to remain faithful to God even when it is hard. When has it been difficult for you to stand firm—or endure—in following Jesus? What helped you keep going?

DISCUSS verse 2-3:
I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

1. Paul loves the Philippians. He wants them to persevere in their faith because he knows it is best for them. With that same attitude, he addresses some of the church members directly. In the video, Jo reminded us that this letter would have been read out loud, which could have created an awkward moment for Euodia and Syntyche. She also pointed out that Paul does not rebuke these women or take a side. Instead, he begs them to reconcile. What stands out to you about the way Paul approached these women?
2. Paul confronted the women out of love both for them and the church. Why is it important to confront disunity in the church with love? What could the negative consequences be if we do not confront in love?

DISCUSS verse 4-7:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1. Paul wants a unified church full of mature followers of Jesus. As Paul moves into his closing remarks, he offers practical ways the Philippians can obey God. In the video, Jo called them tools to a sacrificial life. The first tool Jo talked about was rejoicing, as we see in verse 4. What does it mean to rejoice in God?
   1. It can feel deceitful to rejoice when life is hard—as if being joyful belittles or betrays what you’re going through. But rejoicing in God doesn’t mean we forget our pain. It means we remember who God is and praise Him as we suffer. What’s a good balance between acknowledging pain and suffering while also rejoicing in God?
   2. Practically speaking, rejoicing in God is more than singing worship songs on Sunday morning. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. We can ask God to teach us to be joyful—to rejoice always. It has to do with how we think, what we say, and how we act throughout the day. What could rejoicing in God look like for you this week? Pray for God to teach you to bear the fruit of joy in your life this week. Look for tangible ways you can pursue joy each day.
2. The next tool is in verse 5—“reasonableness” or gentleness. In the video, Jo described gentleness as forbearance, softness, patience, moderation, a recognition of mercy. She said when we treat each other with gentleness, it helps our witness to the world. What does it look like to be gentle?
3. In verse 5, Paul reminds the Philippians that “the Lord is at hand” or “the Lord is near.” Paul shows how God’s nearness changes us. Externally, we are joyful and gentle because we know our God loves us, is with us, and is faithful to us. Through faith in Jesus, we have access to God like never before. He’s given us his Spirit who lives in us and he’s intimately working in our lives—both internally and externally. In what ways is God near to us? Spend a few minutes today thinking about this idea that God is near to you. Thank him for never leaving you or abandoning you and write down a prayer of praise to him.
4. In verses 6 and 7, Paul gives us another tool. He encourages the Philippians to go to God in prayer about their anxieties. When have you come to God with your anxieties? What did that look like?
   1. Paul urges the Philippians to go to God “with thanksgiving.” In what ways could gratitude help us when we’re anxious, and what are three things you’re grateful for right now?
   2. We can always present our requests to God. He hears and responds to us. While he might not say yes to the things we want, he hears every request we make to him. What kinds of requests do you make and what kinds do you avoid making to God?
5. In verse 7, Paul gives the image of peace as a guard around the fortress of our minds and hearts. Rather than simply a feeling, peace is a fruit of the Spirit—a deep understanding that God is sovereign, present, and involved in our lives. When have you experienced God’s peace guarding your mind and heart?

DISCUSS verse 8-9:
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. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

1. Verse 8 points to the next tool: setting our minds on good, holy things. If you consider your thought life, which of the words Paul lists stands out to you the most? Why?
   • Pick one word from his list in verse 8. What could it look like to pursue those kinds of thoughts this week?
2. The last tool in verse 9 reminds us to look to Paul’s example. When has God used someone in your life to help you grow as a Christian?
3. Paul ends this section by reminding the Philippians that God is with them. The only reason they can stand firm, seek unity, cast their anxieties on God, maintain holy thoughts, and grow as Christians is because God is with them. What is one way you can remind yourself this week that God is with you?

BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE of Philippians 4:1-9:
From Dr. Gene Getz’s Life Essentials Study Bible:
STAND FIRM! – No matter our circumstances in life, we are to stand firm in the Lord by being unified in our relationships, by seeking God’s help through prayer, and by imitating Jesus Christ.