How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the video and read this week's materials
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the weekly sermon and read through the main passage(s)
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
latest sermon
background
True contentment comes from dependence on Christ, not ideal circumstances. As a follower of Jesus, Paul has experienced both abundance and need, fullness and hunger. He has learned to be content in every circumstance - not by denying his needs or becoming indifferent to suffering. Rather, he experiences joy through knowing Christ is near.
Jesus is our enduring treasure, far greater than anything else. He gives us the strength to remain faithful in both prosperity and hardship. Contentment is a growing confidence that, because we belong to Christ, our present circumstances do not determine our ultimate well-being.
Jesus is our enduring treasure, far greater than anything else. He gives us the strength to remain faithful in both prosperity and hardship. Contentment is a growing confidence that, because we belong to Christ, our present circumstances do not determine our ultimate well-being.
OPEN
1. What’s something you once thought would make you happier but soon started to feel ordinary (like a childhood Christmas present or a major achievement)? Why do you think it didn’t satisfy you as much as you’d expected?
reflect
2. Read Philippians 4:10-13. What is the “secret” that allows Paul to remain content in both abundance and need? Why do you think Paul says contentment is something he had to learn?
3. What does Paul mean when he says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me”? How does this differ from many popular applications of this passage?
4. How is biblical contentment different from simply becoming indifferent to suffering? What does it look like to practice contentment intentionally in every circumstance?
3. What does Paul mean when he says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me”? How does this differ from many popular applications of this passage?
4. How is biblical contentment different from simply becoming indifferent to suffering? What does it look like to practice contentment intentionally in every circumstance?
apply
5. Paul reflects on seasons when he experienced abundance. Have you ever had a time in life when you had “plenty” but still found it hard to feel content? What do you think made it difficult?
6. Can you think of a time when you felt you might not have what you needed, but God provided a sense of contentment? What did you learn from that experience?
7. When have you experienced genuine contentment? How did it affect your relationships, such as friendships, work, and family?
6. Can you think of a time when you felt you might not have what you needed, but God provided a sense of contentment? What did you learn from that experience?
7. When have you experienced genuine contentment? How did it affect your relationships, such as friendships, work, and family?
resources
Home Groups will resume August 23. If you are interested in joining a group, fill out the interest form below or contact Doug Barnwell at dbarnwell@fellowshipjackson.com.
We ask every Home Group participant to commit to the Four Essentials of a Healthy Group outlined in our Home Group Commitment. These essentials help ensure that every group stays healthy, welcoming, and spiritually meaningful for everyone involved. You can review those here.