Wk 4 // March 29 & 30
Wk 4 // IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD
March 29 & 30, 2025
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
Tap here to view the sermon notes.
INTRODUCTION
In Philippians 4:10-13, Paul described a specific area of his life in which he had learned to trust the Lord completely, resulting in his contentment, or satisfaction, in Christ.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PHILIPPIANS 4:10.
Paul showed his gratitude for the Philippian Christians’ generosity by expressing joy and praise to God over their gifts, which Epaphroditus had delivered to him (Phil. 2:25), gifts which continued the pattern of the Philippian church’s support of Paul. He expressed joy at his renewed relationship with the Philippian church and their renewed expression of care for him and his ministry.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13.
Paul makes it clear that his gratitude was not a backhanded request for another gift. He has solved his economic problems. How? Not with new resources but with a new attitude of contentment.
Paul stated that he was content no matter what his circumstances. The word “contentment” Paul used in this passage is a term that describes an inner spirit of freedom and discipline, the ability to conquer circumstances and situations rather than be conquered by them. Such an attitude is the exact opposite of worry and anxiety, which was the focus of Philippians 4:2-9. Through the trials and testing he endured, Paul learned that contentment is achievable in spite of poverty or prosperity. Because of his faith and trust in Christ, Paul was able to live triumphantly above changing circumstances. In order to find contentment in Christ, we must learn to trust God to meet our needs in the way He knows is best for us.
Paul gave additional teaching on contentment in his first letter to Timothy. Paul knew that godliness goes hand in hand with contentment, and he wanted Timothy to understand this. When we’re focused on living God-honoring lives, our contentment is measured by what God is doing in us rather than what we have. In order to understand true contentment, we have to reject the notion that it has anything to do with accumulating material possessions or earthly success.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-8.
The word godliness suggests an attitude focused on God and doing what pleases Him. It depicts a reverence that recognizes that we live each moment before God. In other words, our attitude toward God results in actions that please Him. We could say that godliness is God-likeness. The more we are like God in our attitudes, actions, and ambitions the more godly we become. And the more godly we become the more contented we will be. Contentment isn’t based on what we have, it’s based on whose we are. Without a desire to be more and more like the One who created us, we won’t experience contentment.
APPLICATION
PRAYER
During today’s prayer time, give group members the opportunity to verbalize personal prayers for contentment. Pray that as the work of Christ overwhelms all lesser concerns, joy and abundant life would be obvious in the people at our church.
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ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY
[for further reading on this passage]
PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13
Verses 10-13 indicate that the church at Philippi had sent Paul a financial contribution to support him. His comment about their having renewed their care for him referred to this contribution. Philippians 4:10 (as do vv. 15-16) indicates the Philippian church sent Paul monetary gifts on other occasions to support his work. Here Paul mentioned that they had sent him a gift once again. The Philippians sent this gift by the hand of Epaphroditus, one of their members (2:25,30; 4:18). Now Paul acknowledged the joy he felt because of the Philippians’ concern for him.
Paul said he did not make any of these statements because of financial need on his part. He had come to such spiritual maturity that he could be content in whatever financial circumstances he found himself. The Greek word translated content means “self-sufficient.” Paul drew his sufficiency from within himself. We will soon see, however, that Paul had a source of sufficiency that was different from that of unbelievers and that source was Christ in him. Paul learned how to live with a scarcity of money as well as with an abundance of money. He was content both when well-fed and when hungry. He knew how to thrive both when affluent and when poverty-stricken. To know how to suffer poverty is a sign of true greatness. Similarly, many experience affluence, but to know how to be affluent without being ruined by it is knowledge few possess.
Paul climaxed his statement by saying, I can do all things. The all things Paul referred to were not ambitions or personal goals. Paul referred to living in contentment with either affluence or poverty. Paul’s secret of joy lay in developing the attitude of contentment. Paul learned to be content with what he had. As he wrote these words, Paul was under arrest, guarded by Roman soldiers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He was awaiting trial before one of the most insane, ruthless, and cruel tyrants who ever ruled. Though imprisoned and awaiting trial for his life, Paul was content. He was content having received the gift from his friends at Philippi, but he was content before he received the gift. His personal sense of well-being did not depend on any financial or comfort considerations.
How could Paul live with such contentment? In verse 13, we see the source of Paul’s joy and contentment. He said through him who strengthens me. Paul drew his sufficiency from within, but his inner source was Jesus Christ who dwelt within him. Paul did not depend on outer circumstances but on the inner reality of the indwelling Christ who filled him with strength.
March 29 & 30, 2025
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
Tap here to view the sermon notes.
- What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
- Were there any stories, ideas, or points that stuck out?
- Was there anything that challenged you?
INTRODUCTION
- How do you define contentment? In your own experiences, what have you discovered to be the key to contentment?
- In what circumstances do you most typically struggle to be content? Why? Are there any recurring themes for you?
In Philippians 4:10-13, Paul described a specific area of his life in which he had learned to trust the Lord completely, resulting in his contentment, or satisfaction, in Christ.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PHILIPPIANS 4:10.
- According to Philippians 4:10, who did Paul praise for the gift of support? What does this tell us about Paul and about his perspective on life?
- What is one provision you’ve received lately that was unexpected? Did you think about the gift as a provision from God? Why or why not?
Paul showed his gratitude for the Philippian Christians’ generosity by expressing joy and praise to God over their gifts, which Epaphroditus had delivered to him (Phil. 2:25), gifts which continued the pattern of the Philippian church’s support of Paul. He expressed joy at his renewed relationship with the Philippian church and their renewed expression of care for him and his ministry.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ PHILIPPIANS 4:11-13.
Paul makes it clear that his gratitude was not a backhanded request for another gift. He has solved his economic problems. How? Not with new resources but with a new attitude of contentment.
- How does Paul’s view of contentment compare with the modern world’s view of contentment?
- Why does God want His children to be content? What is He trying to teach us?
- When we struggle to be content, what are we saying about our view of God and our relationship with Him?
Paul stated that he was content no matter what his circumstances. The word “contentment” Paul used in this passage is a term that describes an inner spirit of freedom and discipline, the ability to conquer circumstances and situations rather than be conquered by them. Such an attitude is the exact opposite of worry and anxiety, which was the focus of Philippians 4:2-9. Through the trials and testing he endured, Paul learned that contentment is achievable in spite of poverty or prosperity. Because of his faith and trust in Christ, Paul was able to live triumphantly above changing circumstances. In order to find contentment in Christ, we must learn to trust God to meet our needs in the way He knows is best for us.
- Read verse 13 again. What made Paul’s contentment possible? What do you think that contentment looks like in real life?
- What is the closest you’ve come to experiencing the type of contentment Paul describes here?
Paul gave additional teaching on contentment in his first letter to Timothy. Paul knew that godliness goes hand in hand with contentment, and he wanted Timothy to understand this. When we’re focused on living God-honoring lives, our contentment is measured by what God is doing in us rather than what we have. In order to understand true contentment, we have to reject the notion that it has anything to do with accumulating material possessions or earthly success.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-8.
- How does godliness relate to contentment? What are some ways we can strive for godliness?
- How would you describe someone who has a Christlike attitude? What distinguishes that person from other people?
The word godliness suggests an attitude focused on God and doing what pleases Him. It depicts a reverence that recognizes that we live each moment before God. In other words, our attitude toward God results in actions that please Him. We could say that godliness is God-likeness. The more we are like God in our attitudes, actions, and ambitions the more godly we become. And the more godly we become the more contented we will be. Contentment isn’t based on what we have, it’s based on whose we are. Without a desire to be more and more like the One who created us, we won’t experience contentment.
- What do you think is the “great gain in godliness with contentment” (v. 6)?
APPLICATION
- To trust God to meet our needs, what do we have to give up? What choices do we have to make? Why is this so difficult?
- What outside force is most likely to upset your contentment? What can you ask God to change in you so that contentment is possible, even in the face of those forces?
- Think about Jesus’ time on earth. How did He model contentment for us? What can we learn from Him?
- What’s the logical outcome of discontentment? What attitudes does it create over time?
- Why do you think it is necessary to be intentional about being content? How can you do that this week?
PRAYER
During today’s prayer time, give group members the opportunity to verbalize personal prayers for contentment. Pray that as the work of Christ overwhelms all lesser concerns, joy and abundant life would be obvious in the people at our church.
—----------------------------------
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY
[for further reading on this passage]
PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13
Verses 10-13 indicate that the church at Philippi had sent Paul a financial contribution to support him. His comment about their having renewed their care for him referred to this contribution. Philippians 4:10 (as do vv. 15-16) indicates the Philippian church sent Paul monetary gifts on other occasions to support his work. Here Paul mentioned that they had sent him a gift once again. The Philippians sent this gift by the hand of Epaphroditus, one of their members (2:25,30; 4:18). Now Paul acknowledged the joy he felt because of the Philippians’ concern for him.
Paul said he did not make any of these statements because of financial need on his part. He had come to such spiritual maturity that he could be content in whatever financial circumstances he found himself. The Greek word translated content means “self-sufficient.” Paul drew his sufficiency from within himself. We will soon see, however, that Paul had a source of sufficiency that was different from that of unbelievers and that source was Christ in him. Paul learned how to live with a scarcity of money as well as with an abundance of money. He was content both when well-fed and when hungry. He knew how to thrive both when affluent and when poverty-stricken. To know how to suffer poverty is a sign of true greatness. Similarly, many experience affluence, but to know how to be affluent without being ruined by it is knowledge few possess.
Paul climaxed his statement by saying, I can do all things. The all things Paul referred to were not ambitions or personal goals. Paul referred to living in contentment with either affluence or poverty. Paul’s secret of joy lay in developing the attitude of contentment. Paul learned to be content with what he had. As he wrote these words, Paul was under arrest, guarded by Roman soldiers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He was awaiting trial before one of the most insane, ruthless, and cruel tyrants who ever ruled. Though imprisoned and awaiting trial for his life, Paul was content. He was content having received the gift from his friends at Philippi, but he was content before he received the gift. His personal sense of well-being did not depend on any financial or comfort considerations.
How could Paul live with such contentment? In verse 13, we see the source of Paul’s joy and contentment. He said through him who strengthens me. Paul drew his sufficiency from within, but his inner source was Jesus Christ who dwelt within him. Paul did not depend on outer circumstances but on the inner reality of the indwelling Christ who filled him with strength.