PRACTICING JOY SESSION 5. The Point. The Bible Meets Life. The Passage. The Setting GET INTO THE STUDY. 5 minutes

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1 GET INTO THE STUDY 5 minutes GUIDE: Refer to the picture on Personal Study Guide (PSG) page 138. DISCUSS: Question #1 (PSG, p. 138): Do you typically see the glass half-empty or half-full? GUIDE: Draw members attention to The Bible Meets Life (PSG, p. 139). Ask volunteers to share ways they deal with challenges in their lives. Mention the reference to Norman Vincent Peale s book The Power of Positive Thinking. Emphasize that happy thoughts can t bring the joy and peace that come when we trust in Christ. GUIDE: Introduce The Point (PSG, p. 139): When I focus on Christ, joy and peace flood my life. SAY: Even though Paul was sitting in prison, chained to a Roman guard, he still found joy because his focus remained on Jesus Christ. SESSION 5 PRACTICING JOY The Point When I focus on Christ, joy and peace flood my life. The Bible Meets Life We ve all experienced the negative impact of a bad attitude on our work, productivity, and relationships. Conversely, a good attitude makes us better workers and better people to be around. Something is missing, though, if we just try to convince ourselves to think happy thoughts. Christians are called to center their lives in Christ, fill their mind with the things of God, and continually go to Him in prayer. The result is far different: a cause to rejoice. The Passage Philippians 4:4-9 The Setting If anyone had reasons to worry, it was Paul. He was chained to a Roman guard and awaiting trial before Caesar. False teachers and opponents hounded his every step. Young churches abounded with problems. In chapter 3 He wrote of forgetting what was behind and pressing on in faith to the future. Here he shared that focusing our lives and affections on Christ is the key to doing that with joy. 138 Session 5

2 Philippians 4:4-5 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Live a life of joy and graciousness. The phrases if only and what if are perhaps the saddest phrases in the human language. They are certainly the mostused joy-stealing tools in Satan s arsenal. The first chains us to regret and the second magnifies worry. Regret and worry combine to form a potent toxicity that manifests itself in our attitudes. Our thought life is a powerful thing, either digging a deep chasm of despair, or paving the way to joy and peace. However, the secret to a fulfilled life, the life of abundance Jesus came to give (John 10:10), is not merely hyping ourselves up with positive thinking. A fulfilled life, one that abounds with joy and grace, is found in making Christ our central focus. In a culture that attaches satisfaction to material attainment this is a much needed lesson to be learned and periodically revisited. Verse 4. As a child I learned a powerful truth through song titled It s Amazing What Praising Can Do. Poor attitudes can be transformed when we focus on being thankful and worshipful instead of being critical and envious. Our first step away from God is when we become unthankful. A worthy exercise when feeling down is to get in a quiet place and list all the good things God has given us. His blessings will always far exceed any list of woes. 1 Paul followed up his earlier admonition (Phil. 3:1) by again exhorting the Philippian believers to rejoice, adding repetition in the same sentence for added emphasis. Rejoicing carries the tone of celebration. Sports enthusiasts commonly rejoice over their teams successes. They are cheerful, exuberant, and celebratory. While it is not wrong to celebrate successes in sports, business, academia, family, or other pursuits, believers have much more to celebrate. Our rejoicing may not necessarily be characterized with shouting and boisterous displays of exuberance, but we should still outwardly display our joy in the Lord. Although it is not wrong to rejoice over other positive things, our principal impetus for rejoicing is in the Lord. This phrase is highly significant because it directly links the act of our rejoicing and its cause. Our rejoicing is directly STUDY THE BIBLE Philippians 4: minutes READ: Read or ask a volunteer to read Philippians 4:4-5. SAY: Sports enthusiasts commonly rejoice over their teams successes. As believers, we have much more to celebrate. Commentary 1 to encourage group members to rejoice always, in good times and bad times. to PSG page 140. Call attention to the fact that Paul wasn t writing this letter from a sweet beach house he was in prison. Summarize his first experience in Philippi (Acts 16:11-12;22-25). The message to rejoice always comes from one who experienced pain, hardships and difficulties. We do not rejoice in our circumstances; we rejoice in the Lord. SUGGESTED USE WEEK OF FEBRUARY

3 THE POINT When I focus on Christ, joy and peace flood my life. to PSG page 141, to the section that deals with the statement, The Lord is near. This phrase has two possible interpretations, and both are true: The Lord s return The Lord s presence in the moment Commentary 2 to provide more information about the two possible interpretations of the phrase, The Lord is near. DISCUSS: Question #2 (PSG, p. 141): What is your initial reaction to the command to rejoice? (Alternate: How can we rejoice even when things aren t going well?) TRANSITION: Paul s encouraging words about rejoicing always are followed by his admonition to pray instead of worry. linked to the Lord (owner, ruler, supreme in authority). The Lord Jesus, and our relation of being in Him, is foundational in our rejoicing. Because of this, our rejoicing is to be in Him always. No other subject of rejoicing can produce such peace and joy; no person or group of people, no other things, no passing circumstance. We should rejoice always that there is a God whose character, law, and promises are unchanging, and that our relationship with Him is secure (John 10:28 29). When everything else changes, the Lord does not change (Ps. 102:12; Mal. 3:6; Jas. 1:16-17; Heb. 13:8). When other sources of joy dry up, Christ remains (see Jas. 1:2 5). Verse 5. As we move through life rejoicing in the only continual source of peace and joy, graciousness (gentleness, mildness, moderation) will be a by-product. The word bears a sense of selflessness and a sweet reasonableness of character. Christ exhibited graciousness in His dealing with all people (see Isa. 42:3; 2 Cor. 10:1; compare Jas. 3:17). Paul used the word elsewhere to describe Christian leaders (1 Tim. 3:3; Titus 3:2). This sweet reasonableness of temperament and attitude is to be made known to everyone. This does not mean we are to flaunt it like the Pharisees, but it should so characterize our lives that others can t help but see it. Indeed, this graciousness is nothing more than the fruit of the Spirit on display (Gal. 5:22 23). As we focus on Christ, and His Spirit performs His work of continuing transformation in us, the evidence (fruit) of this will be outwardly obvious. 2 As an additional encouragement, Paul warned that the Lord is near. This word suggests both Jesus constant proximity to His followers and the imminence of His return. Both interpretations are applicable. We should keep our constant focus on the Lord Jesus because He is always with us; and we should always be ready for His bodily return at any moment. It is likely Paul had Jesus return in view here. The Lord s speedy and imminent return is the outstanding and compelling motive for every believer (see Jas. 5:8 9). Harshness in our treatment of others, the direct opposite of graciousness, would be assuming the prerogatives of judging, which belongs to Christ alone (see 1 Cor. 4:5). Instead, as we focus on who and whose we are in Christ, constantly rejoicing and showing forbearance to others, life becomes much lighter. 140 Session 5

4 Philippians 4:6-7 6 Don t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Live a life of prayer. 3 Corrie ten Boom, the lone survivor of her family from a Nazi concentration camp in World War II, wrote: Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength. 1 Worry short-circuits our motivation and cuts our lifeline to joy. Our English word worry comes from the German word würgen, which means to strangle or choke. Worrying can affect the body in ways that may surprise you, creating feelings of high anxiety and even causing physical illness. Worry is anything that drains your tank of joy. It is something you cannot change, you are not responsible for, you are unable to control something or someone that frightens you, torments you, agitates you, and keeps you awake at night. 4 Verse 6. It is small wonder that Paul commanded us not to worry, but rather to pray. Worry accomplishes nothing good, but prayer does (Jas. 5:16). Jesus warned against worry (see Matt. 6:25 34). The primary causes for undue anxiety then are the same as they are now: our physical attributes or appearance (v. 27); our clothing (v. 28); basic sustenance (v. 31); and the future (v. 34). In light of the uselessness of worry, we should turn our worry lists into prayer lists. Prayerful people are peaceful people. Paul used three words that give fuller meaning to the differing aspects of prayer. Prayer (earnest, worshipful devotion) speaks to a worshipful attitude of the heart. It is a continual sense of awareness of being in God s presence, and therefore, being in constant communication and interaction with Him. Petition refers to the sharing of needs and requests for their fulfillment (Eph. 6:18). Requests (a thing asked or required) is more like the specifics of what is being asked, to fulfill expressed needs. Each word increases in specificity. Flowing through these differing facets of prayer is an attitude of thanksgiving. STUDY THE BIBLE Philippians 4:6-7 READ: Ask a volunteer to read Philippians 4:6-7. Commentary 3 to define worry and what it does to the one who worries. to PSG page 142, to the statement: Anxiety, at its core, is functional atheism. Ask group members to respond. Commentary 4 to encourage group members that the antidote to worry is prayer. Four distinctive words are used in this verse: Prayer Petition Requests 10 minutes Thanksgiving DISCUSS: Question #3 (PSG, p. 143): How does prayer help us move from worry to trust? 141

5 THE POINT When I focus on Christ, joy and peace flood my life. to Digging Deeper on PSG page 144 to gain a greater understanding of the peace of God. Highlight Paul s three statements about this peace: 1. It is divine peace. 2. It surpasses every thought. 3. It will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Commentary 5 to share insights about the peace of God. to PSG page to these summary statements: Accept the truth that we shouldn t have a heart filled with negative anxiety. Cast all your care upon God who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). Pray with thanksgiving and intercession. Fight anxiety by praying with faith in God s promises. People in the Bible prayed in every situation, in all kinds of places, and shared with God all kinds of things. David prayed for forgiveness (Ps. 51). Solomon prayed for wisdom (1 Kings 3). Daniel prayed three times a day (Dan. 6). Paul and Silas prayed in prison (Acts 16). Jonah prayed from inside the belly of a great fish (Jonah 2). Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still and not set (Josh. 10). Jesus prayed while on the cross (Luke 23). In the first session of this study in Philippians (1:3 11) we examined the topic of joyful prayer. With candid words Paul expressed his love for the Philippians. His intercessory prayer for them follows the pattern he set forth here in chapter 4. In a thankful and worshipful state of mind he remembered them in prayer (vv. 3 4). He petitioned God for their needs, asking God to grant specific requests (vv. 9 11). The focus in this session is not on joyful intercession for others, but on focusing our attentions on Christ; however, an integral step in staying focused on Christ is praying for our needs as an antidote for undue, distracting worry. Importantly, a lifestyle of prayer is a primary component that leads to joy. 5 Verse 7. Honest and forthright sharing of our needs with God, and trusting Him for their provision, leads to the peace (quietness; rest; to set at one again) of God. This phrase occurs only here in the New Testament. This peace is a characteristic of God (see Gal. 5:22 23). It comes from God and rests in God (Isa. 26:3; John 14:27; 16:33; Col. 3:15). Anxious care is out of place in the presence of our heavenly Father. As we trust Him with our cares, He exchanges our worry with His peace. This kind of trust and rest surpasses every thought (holds above the intellect). It is beyond all human understanding (1 Cor. 2:9; Eph. 3:20). While knowledge can t explain, God s peace prevails. Paul used a military metaphor to emphasize how such peace will cancel worry. It will guard (to watch; to stand guard as a sentinel) our hearts and minds, the very seats of our consciousness and being. God s peace stands on duty to keep out anything that brings undue care and anxiety. Peter used the same verb in 1 Peter 1:5 to speak of God s power that protects us for the day of His coming. When we make our requests known to God, in view of all our trials and needs, our minds are preserved from the intrusion of anxious fears and alarms. This great promise is only found in Christ Jesus. Only in Him can our mind be preserved in peace. Sleep well friends, your Savior guards the walls tonight (Ps. 121:3 4)! 142 Session 5

6 Philippians 4:8-9 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 moral excellence and if there is any praise dwell on these things. 9 Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. KEY WORDS: Moral excellence (v. 8) Used only here in Paul s epistles, and elsewhere in the New Testament only in Peter (1 Pet. 2:9; 2 Pet. 1:3,5), for Christian virtue. Live a life of right thinking. The human mind is the greatest computer ever created. And just like man-made computers, it is affected by what enters its memory. Or, according to an old computer phrase, garbage in = garbage out. Therefore, we should rearrange life and thought through discipline so God can freely accomplish His work of transformation with its resulting peace and joy. The logic of the entire passage of this session is appears in reverse order. These two verses contain two lists, each with its own key verb. Taken together, they form the basic foundation upon which to build a prayerful focus on Christ (vv. 6-7) with its resulting attitudes of joy and grace (vv. 4-5). Verse 8. Paul said finally here, but he was not really finished. Indeed, he had used this word before (3:1). In both cases, the use of this Greek expression has the idea of something left over. In chapter 3, finally signaled a shift in focus from internal dissensions to outward dangers for the church. Here, it indicates a grand summary of all his exhortations as to our relationships and what it means to stand firm in the Lord (4:1). Thus, he introduced eight adjectives picturing Christian ideals that may seem old-fashioned to some. Yet, they are pertinent now more than ever when so much filth is flaunted before the world in books, magazines, movies, and social media under the name of normalcy. DISCUSS: Question #4 (PSG, p. 144): When have you experienced the peace that passes understanding? (Alternate: What tends to cause anxiety in our lives?) TRANSITION: Paul assured Philippians and us that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds. Then the apostle gave us a grand list of ideals to focus on instead of remaining worried about worldly matters. STUDY THE BIBLE Philippians 4: minutes READ: Ask a volunteer to read Philippians 4:8-9. to KEY WORDS on PSG page 145 to gain a greater understanding of the virtue of moral excellence. 143

7 THE POINT When I focus on Christ, joy and peace flood my life. Commentary 6 to give insight into the 8 adjectives found in this verse. to PSG page 145 to this summary of admirable things to think on. Think about that which is: true, not false. honorable, not dishonorable. just, not unfair. pure, not obscene. lovely, not unlovely. commendable, not wrong. morally excellent, not corrupt. praiseworthy, not shameful. 6 True (not concealing; sincere) carries the sense of honesty and dependability. It refers here to all that is the opposite of falsehood. We are to be true to our obligations, true to our promises, true in our words, and true in our relationships. Truth represents things as they are (John 8:14). Honorable (grave, dignified, honest, worthy of reverence) commonly means worthy of veneration or regard. In the New Testament it is rendered worthy of respect in 1 Timothy 3:8,11; and Titus 2:2; the only places where the word occurs in the New Testament except here. The word is not limited to honest, as confined to dealings or business transactions. Instead, it communicates that which is regarded as worthy of reputation or honor. Just (innocent, holy, righteous) carries the idea of things being right between individuals. It is upright integrity in one s dealings with others. Pure (clean, innocent, modest, chaste) means to be completely chaste and innocent within ourselves and in our relationships (2 Cor. 7:11; 11:2; Jas. 3:17; 1 Pet. 3:2; 1 John 3:3). Lovely (endearing, winsome, pleasing, amicable) means endearing and agreeable to others, and is only used here in the New Testament (see Luke 7:4 5 for an example). Commendable (well spoken-of; reputable); again, is only used here in the New Testament and refers to having a good reputation with others (see Phil. 1:27 for an example). Moral excellence (praise, virtue) is used only here in Paul s epistles, and elsewhere in the New Testament only in Peter (1 Pet. 2:9; 2 Pet. 1:3,5) for Christian virtue. Paul knew he could not list every virtue believers needed to cultivate. Therefore he added that if there is any thing else that had the nature of true virtue in it, we should be careful to cultivate that also. True believers should be a pattern and example of every virtue. Praise refers to anything worthy of praise or commendation. Having examined and understood these virtues we are to dwell on (take an inventory, think on) them. We are to carefully gather these things into our minds and chart our course of thinking by them. These are to be the stepping stones of thought that lead us to focus on Christ, His goodness to us, and our obligations to Him. In fact, we find in Him the perfect expression of all these qualities. Let them be the object of your careful attention and study, so as to practice them (Phil. 4:9). 144 Session 5

8 Verse 9. After ending his first list containing virtues with an exhorting verb dwell, Paul began the next list with an emphatic commanding verb. As we allow the above virtuous qualities to penetrate our minds, we are to do (perform repeatedly or habitually) them as well as imitate Paul s own example of them. He left no avenue of illustration unheeded as he exhorted believers to copy what they had learned (understand in any way), received, heard (to give audience to), and seen (to discern clearly or attend to). Paul boldly declared that what they had witnessed in him, learned from him, and heard from him, they were to practice themselves. He urged basically the same concept in 3:17. Godly models like Paul are to be learned from as they focus on Christ and follow Him. What a wonderful promise is connected to these activities! As we and others we associate with focus unwaveringly upon Christ and His virtues, and seek to emulate Him, the God of peace will be with us. The peace of God that defies human explanations (4:7) is brought to us by the very God who Himself defines and resides in peace. Paul, by following the lifestyle he had led, and which he taught others to follow, had found that his challenges had been overshadowed with the blessing of peace. He offered his readers full assurance that they would find the same blessing if they would follow his example (see 1 Thess. 5:23). Practicing joy is a matter of focus. Focus determines the reality we experience. Does your current reality exhibit peace and joy because of Christ? Or do you constantly fret and lose sleep over the matters of this life? We must center our thinking on the virtues and blessings of Christ, and be encouraged in our Christian walk by the example of other mature believers like the apostle Paul (Phil. 4:8 9). As we center our lives on Christ, it is only natural that we continually and confidently communicate with Him about every need and occurrence of life (vv. 6 7). As a result, grace and joy flow through us from His presence and provision (vv. 4 5). True lasting joy is not found in possessions, human relationships, or worldly attainments. It is found only in the Lord (v. 4), the God of peace (v. 9), our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. When I focus on Him, joy and peace flood my life. DISCUSS: Question #5 (PSG, p. 146): Who or what comes to mind when you read the attributes in verse 8? (Alternate: How can we practice the things Paul taught in the passage?) DO: Complete the activity on PSG page 146, Don t Worry, Be Joyful. Call on volunteers to share responses. 1. Corrie Ten Boom, quoted in Max Anders, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, vol. 8 in Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999)

9 THE POINT LIVE IT OUT 5 minutes When I focus on Christ, joy and peace flood my life. LIVE IT OUT How will you let the truths in the passage transform your life this week? GUIDE: Emphasize The Point: When I focus on Christ, joy and peace flood my life. REVIEW: Live it Out (PSG, p. 147); see text to the right). Encourage each member to follow through this week with at least one of the applications. WRAP IT UP GUIDE: Emphasize that these are all truths you have heard before and are words to live by. Apply these basic truths to your life and it will make a difference in your life. > > Pray. What are currently your biggest challenges? Is your tendency to try to fix them before praying about them? Pray about each of these burdens. As you pray, ask the Lord to grant you His peace and graciousness as you deal with them. > > Memorize. Commit to memory Philippians 4:6-7. I don t know of a better way to get a proper perspective on the challenges of life and the need to give our burdens to God than to saturate our minds with this passage. > > Think. What are some things in your thought life that you need to address? Is there something you need to stop viewing? Is there some way you can replace dark thoughts with noble thoughts? Consider some changes you can make, and perhaps seek some accountability from a trusted friend. SAY: Rejoice always. The Lord is near. Don t worry. Pray with thanksgiving. Experience the peace of God, who guards your hearts and minds. Focus your mind on admirable things. May the peace of God be with you. PRAY: Father, help us today to put these truths into practice, help us apply Your Word to our lives. 146 Session 5

10 ILLUSTRATOR PHOTO OF KRISTIN HILLER (52/53/33) Women praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. To the right of the ladies are Tzetels, small slips of paper with prayer requests on them. Visitors often leave these in the cracks between the stones. Mention of Paul s prayer life opens questions. How did Paul pray? What did he teach about prayer? We learn much from studying Paul s words about prayer. Suggestions toward a theology of prayer include the following. 1. Usually Paul directed prayer to God (1 Cor. 1:4; Col. 1:3). At times he prayed through Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:8) but only rarely addressed prayer directly to Jesus (1 Cor. 1:2; 16:22; 2 Cor. 12:8-9; 1 Tim. 1:12). Never did he pray to the Spirit. 2. Paul considered prayer integral to the believer s relationship to God (Eph. 6:18; Col. 4:2; 1 Thess. 5:17). 3. Effective service depended on prayer. Paul asked believers to pray that God would give him the opportunities to preach the gospel and the boldness and freedom to preach it (Eph. 6:19-20; Col. 4:3.4). 4. Paul knew God grants many prayers but denies others (2 Cor. 12:7-10). 5. Paul affirmed that God reveals His will through prayer (Rom. 1:10; 15:32). 6. Paul said the Spirit helps believers pray (8:26-27). 7. He called for believers to pray for government officials (1 Tim. 2:2). 8. He reflected the practice of table grace (Rom. 14:6; 1 Cor. 10:30; 11:24; 1 Tim. 4:4-5). The excerpt above is from the article Prayer: Paul s Practice and Instructions (Fall 2011), which relates to this session. More Biblical Illustrator articles are available that relate to this session. See page 7 about Biblical Illustrator. SHARING THE GOOD NEWS The theme of rejoicing in the book of Philippians reminds us that there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). Each week, make yourself available either before or after the session to speak privately with anyone in your group who wants to know more about becoming a Christian. See the article, Leading Someone to the Greatest Decision of All, on page 2 for guidance in leading a person to Christ. Remind group members that page 2 in the PSG offers guidance in how to become a Christian. Encourage believers to consider using this article as they have opportunities to lead others to Christ. Grow with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog. LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry 147