BRENTWOOD BAPTIST CHURCH PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 JUNE 1, 2014 TEACHING PLAN PREPARATION > Spend the week reading through and studying Philippians 4:4-7. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation. > Determine which discussion points and questions will work best with your group. > Pray for the upcoming group meeting, your teaching, your group members, and their receptivity to the lesson. HIGHLIGHTS BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: Philippians 4 begins with advice to the pastor of the church of Philippi to help two of the women in the church resolve their differences. Next, Paul encourages the people to rejoice in the Lord in all circumstances and to stop worrying. Finally, he encourages the people to dwell on only the things that honor God and focus on the Lord. TEACHING AIM: Paul says that the life of the believer should be marked by joy, but most people see modern Christians as stressed-out, guilt-ridden killjoys instead. We must learn to develop the discipline of margin and fight now for tomorrow s opportunities to join God at work. As a result of today s study, you will learn to 1) tap into the joy of the Spirit (vv. 4-7) and 2) dwell on the things of God (vv. 8-9). 1 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
INTRODUCTION As your group time begins, use this section to help get the conversation going. 1 How would you define authentic joy? What are some of the ways joy manifests itself in a person s life? 2 How is joy different than happiness? 3 What are some of the things in life that steal our joy? Which of these do you fight against most often? Joy is the second fruit of the Spirit Paul listed in Galatians 5:22-23, and a characteristic of the Christian life that he mentioned frequently in his New Testament letters. Paul repeatedly stressed the divine origin of joy, encouraging believers to rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 3:1; 4:4), rejoice in God (Rom. 5:11), and to realize that the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom.14:17).The Greek root for joy is the same as that for grace charis. Obviously, there is a close connection between the two concepts. Joy is also closely related to hope, a word Paul did not list in his catalog of the Spirit s fruit. Hope is that element of Christian joy that differentiates it from secular happiness. Christian joy is marked by celebration and expectation of God s ultimate victory over the powers of sin and darkness, a victory actualized already in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The ability to have joy in the Lord despite circumstances is one of the unique traits of the Christian life. Joy is not a natural response to suffering, which is how we know it s something we are unable to have apart from the Holy Spirit. 2 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says or means about a particular topic. In Philippians 4, Paul gives us practical advice on how to tap into the joy of the Lord that he learned through his many trials. Paul s life should have been anything but joyful he was beaten, stoned, flogged, shipwrecked, and so on. Despite all this, he learned to trust in God s protection and to rejoice in the Lord always. > Have a volunteer read Philippians 4:4-7. What disciplines does Paul challenge the Philippian Christians to pursue in this set of verses? Paul called on his friends to rejoice continually and to be gracious (4:4-5). Rather than be anxious, they were to express gratitude and make their requests to God, who would grant them His peace (4:6-7). Let s look briefly at each of these worthwhile pursuits. Using the commentary, give background information about Paul s circumstances as he wrote this letter. How do Paul s circumstances encourage you to pursue joy even in difficult circumstances? What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord (v. 4)? What is the distinction between joy and happiness? Paul s Letter to the Philippians emphasizes joy; it contains various forms of the Greek word for joy in this brief letter. Beyond that, the entire letter overflows with a sense of joy. We might think Paul wrote this letter when everything was going wonderfully for him. Such a supposition, though, is mistaken. Paul s admonitions to joy did not represent advice sent out from safety, luxury, and comfort. Paul wrote of joy while under arrest in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier day and night (see Acts 28:17-20,30; Phil. 1:13-14). Furthermore, he was awaiting trial before the viciously cruel, insane Nero. How do you rejoice in the Lord always? Paul s exhortation that his friends rejoice in the Lord always emphasized that in all their circumstances, they were to celebrate being held securely in God s grace. Their union with Christ would enable them to rejoice even in difficult and threatening situations. 3 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
What does it mean to be gracious to others (v. 5)? How do you express graciousness to others? At home? At work? Why is it important to be reminded that the Lord is near? Believers were to extend their graciousness to everyone. The word graciousness conveys a reluctance to insist on one s full rights, even at personal cost. Such consistent kindness would demonstrate the true Christian spirit and offer a positive witness concerning the gospel s transforming power. Paul strengthened his admonition with a warning: The Lord is near. He may have meant Christ was present with the believers and observed their behavior. More likely, he referred to Christ s imminent return, when the Lord would expect to find the quality of forbearance in them. Where is the focus when grumbling or anxieties are allowed? What does Paul say to do to relieve worry or stress? How can praising God and choosing to be thankful help with worry? Worry is a major part of every person s life. Whether a problem is big or small, it s easy to dwell on it until it begins to control us. Paul urges us to stop worrying. We should not worry about anything, but instead pray to the Lord with thankful hearts. We are to give Him our worry and allow the powerful peace of Christ to guard our hearts and minds. 4 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
What is it like to be around a person who lives out these verses? How do each of these characteristics help us maintain healthy relationships? > Have a volunteer read Philippians 4:8-9. In this final set of verses, Paul listed eight virtues that were to characterize believers lives. Then, he again urged them to be faithful to what he had taught them and to follow the example he had set. The result is the presence of God s peace in their lives. Why does it matter what we think about? How does what you think about affect how you feel? How does it affect your relationship with God? According to verse 8, what kinds of things are we supposed to dwell on or think about? How do you react to reading the eight virtues Paul urges us to practice? Which virtue(s) do you need to dwell on in order to experience more fully the presence of God? Verse 8 describes the kind of thoughts a believer in Christ should have. As Christians, we should be filling our minds with what is pleasing to the Lord. The world bombards us with ungodly messages. We must be willing and able to filter these messages and keep them from our thoughts. To dwell means to meditate or chew on something. It s important to keep the broken ideas of the world from becoming what we dwell on. The things we think most about easily translate into our words and actions. 5 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
What is the assurance Paul provides for the Philippian believers when they do what they have learned (v. 9)? As the believers at Philippi lifted their needs to God in thanksgiving, dwelt on everything that was noble and good, and acted on what they had received from Paul and seen in his example, the God of peace would be with them. Earlier Paul said God s peace would guard them (v. 7). Now he said the God of peace Himself would be with them. APPLICATION Help your group identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives. God is our only hope to navigate the trials and delights of this life. In good times or bad, we must rely on Him and the power of the Holy Spirit. Doing so ensures He not we gets the glory for our lives. Until we come to terms with our utter dependence on God, we can t fully commit to being used by Him for His glory and renown. Only through surrender to Him and His ways can we experience true joy, which we know to be deeper than happiness and not dependent on circumstances. 1 What are specific reasons God is a source of joy for you? 2 Which of these challenges do you find it most difficult to actually live out: living at peace with others, rejoicing in the Lord always, not worrying, or thinking most about what honors God? Why is that one the most difficult for you? 3 From this study, what is one area of spiritual growth in which you want to see significant progress? 6 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
4 How can you adjust your focus this week so that God can work on your heart and help you become better in this area? P R A Y Use Philippians 4:6 as a guide to close with prayer. Lead a time of reflective, silent prayer, divided up into the categories of prayer Paul mentions praise, petition, and thanksgiving. 7 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up email to your group with some or all of the following information: > Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: How have you seen the Spirit produce joy in you this week despite your circumstances? What has surprised you the most? If you told your spouse, your child, or a friend to live by following your example, would they be drawn closer to Christ or led away from Him? What can you do differently today to live more like Christ? One of our application questions this week was: From this study, what is one area of spiritual growth in which you want to see significant progress? How have you lived differently this week as a result of your answer to that question? Have you taken time to rejoice in the Lord with thanksgiving today? > A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your group gathering. > The challenge to memorize Philippians 4:4. > The text for next week s study, so group members can read it in anticipation of next weekend: 2 Peter 2:17-22. 8 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY JUNE 1, 2014 1. TAP INTO THE JOY OF THE SPIRIT (VV. 4-7) 4:4. Rejoice in the Lord, Paul wrote. Paul s Letter to the Philippians emphasizes joy; it contains various forms of the Greek word for joy in this brief letter. Beyond that, the entire letter overflows with a sense of joy. We might think Paul wrote this letter when everything was going wonderfully for him. Such a supposition, though, is mistaken. Paul s admonitions to joy did not represent advice sent out from safety, luxury, and comfort. Paul wrote of joy while under arrest in Rome, chained to a Roman soldier day and night (see Acts 28:17-20,30; Phil. 1:13-14). Furthermore, he was awaiting trial before the viciously cruel, insane Nero. Notes: How could Paul write of joy when his own life stood in such mortal peril? Notice that Paul did not command his readers to be happy. The word happy comes from the Middle English word happe, meaning luck or good fortune. The word happen comes from the same word. People are happy when they consider the things that happen to them to be lucky or fortunate. Happiness, in other words, depends on outer circumstances. Instead of calling the Philippians to happiness, though, Paul called them to joy in the Lord. Whereas happiness flows from outer circumstances, joy comes from an inner conviction that God is working in our lives even in the worst circumstances and from our relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul s point is that in every circumstance we can rejoice in the Lord. 4:5. The term translated graciousness is a strong word. The term conveys the idea of a patient individual who is able to submit to ill treatment by others without being overcome by a desire to strike back at the offending party. Such a person does not insist on his or her own rights. Only through a strong and vibrant trust in God when facing trouble could a person display such strength of character. The phrase translated the Lord is near could refer to the fact that the Lord is always with us spiritually as well as to the fact that the second coming of Christ is close at hand. Although either idea would fit the context, the idea that the second coming was close at hand may be nearer the meaning here. We should always remember that the Lord s return is always at hand and could occur at any time. 9 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY JUNE 1, 2014 4:6. Paul again gave a strong admonition when he wrote, Don t worry about anything. The form of the verb translated worry indicates an habitual, continuous action. Furthermore, by the construction of the phrase in the Greek language Paul indicated that the Philippians were to stop an action they were already doing, in other words, stop being anxious. The term translated worry means to be torn apart. Our Lord used this same word in the Sermon on the Mount to exhort His hearers not to be overly concerned about worldly goods such as food and clothing (Matt. 6:25). Paul s admonition in Philippians 4:6 was of a general nature. He instructed his readers to discard their worries and anxieties and encouraged them to make time for fervent prayer, which is the true antidote for anxiety and worry. Notes: Paul used four words relating to prayer in exhorting his readers. The first is a general word translated prayer. The term is a common word for worship and means to bow the knee in reverence. The second word is translated petition and identifies a specific request related to a particular need. The third term is thanksgiving. It has to do with the worshiper s gratitude to God for all the things He has done already in the believer s life. Such thanksgiving is a hallmark of faith. The fourth prayer word is translated by our English word requests. This term simply refers to all things asked for by the one praying. Worshipers are not to be reticent about praying for all of their needs to a loving Heavenly Father who hears our prayers and responds according to His marvelous grace. 4:7. We cannot fully comprehend the peace that God graciously bestows on all who seek Him through prayer in times of anxiety. Such peace is not the absence of trouble but a state of well-being that comes from a right relationship with God. The word translated guard is a military term. The idea conveyed by the word is that of a military garrison of soldiers protecting a city against an invading army. God s peace is constantly on duty guarding our hearts and minds. 10 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY JUNE 1, 2014 2. DWELL ON THE THINGS OF GOD (VV. 8-9). 4:8. Paul now challenged the Philippian believers to think about and put into practice the kinds of Christlike qualities they had heard about from him and had seen in him. He assured the believers that the God of peace would be with them. The church was to make an environment of peace its goal, and God would rule in them. Notes: The structure of verses 8-9 contains two lists. The first is in verse 8 and completes a clause with the command dwell on these things. The apostle listed seven virtues that should characterize Christians. The first moral quality is whatever is true, referring to what is consistent throughout, dependable, unmixed with error or falsehood. The believer is not to traffic in half-truths, diluted ethics, and hypocritical living. Closely akin to what is true is whatever is honorable, meaning noble, worthy of respect, reverent. The word honorable suggests something that is awe-inspiring, majestic, and used primarily in some of Paul s Letters regarding church leaders who were to be respectable. The next quality is whatever is just. Paul wanted the Philippians to give to others a justness that was worthy of them. Thinking justly does not allow cutting corners in one s daily responsibilities. Whatever is pure refers to what is unblemished by any moral impurity. A truly chaste person is one whose thoughts are clean and void of the moral filth that saturates the secular culture. Whatever is lovely refers to behavior that is lovable and attractive. Paul further said that Christlike qualities are whatever is commendable meaning praiseworthy, appealing, and thus not likely to offend. Christians are to dwell on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. The moral excellence Paul referred to is not the excellence of mere human potential but Christian virtues. The seven virtues bring unity to the church and give to the world a good testimony. 4:9. As readers considered the precepts of the gospel Paul passed on to them, Paul also challenged them to consider the practice of the gospel they observed in his life. The apostle modeled before them a selfless concern for others. He displayed how believers were to handle conflict and difficulties. He showed what a vibrant 11 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church
COMMENTARY JUNE 1, 2014 prayer life meant in his personal life. Finally, he promised them that by living such exemplary Christian lives, as he had, they could count on Paul s promise that the God of peace will be with you. This was not a vain promise, but the personal testimony of one who was experiencing the presence of the God of peace even as he was on trial for his life for the sake of the gospel. 12 Fight for Joy Brentwood Baptist Church