CONNECT: How can you share one of God’s benefits with someone this week?

WARM-UP

1. What do you think it means to be joyful?
2. Where do people who don’t follow Jesus find their joy, or at least try to? What type of joy do they find?

READ Philippians 4:1-5

1. What is the source of a christian’s joy? How is it possible to have this joy always in all circumstances?
2. What is the difference between ‘having a positive spin on things’ or being optimistic and the type of joy that Paul is talking about?
3. In what areas in your life do you find yourself distracted from or lacking this joy?
4. How does rejoicing lead to gentleness? 
5. What would it look like for you to rejoice and be gentle on your frontlines? How could you spur these qualities on? (Note: ‘trying harder’ isn’t an answer!)

READ Philippians 4:5-9

1. How is it possible that we can not only rejoice always but also not be anxious?
2. What does Paul command us to do instead of being anxious? 
3. Why is it such great news that we can ‘make our requests known’ to God? Is there anything that we can’t bring to God in prayer? 
4. When worries or hard times have come in the past, what has been your reaction in the past? How could you encourage yourself or others to turn to God in prayer?
5. How is this different to secular calming techniques such as mindfulness or meditation?
6. What difference does being thankful make in our prayer life? What is a model or shape of prayer that may be helpful in encouraging this?
7. What is the peace of God? Can you recall a time in your life when you have experienced this peace?
8. Why do you think modern culture is interested in darker themes in TV shows, movies, or books?
9. How are we to be different to this? What are we to be interested in?
10. In your week, how could you shape your focus to be on such virtues as listed in V8? In who do we see all these modelled and perfectly lived out?

APPLY:  How could you show joy, gentleness, and peace on your frontline this week?

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On Your Frontline This Week: Have you ever asked your friends, colleagues or family what they think about Jesus? Whatever their position, they are welcome to join us on Alpha Online: stbarts.com.au/alpha 

For Families: Download some of the family resources to use at home

Listen and Watch:          

• Overcoming Anxiety (Tim Keller)
• The Only Thoughts Worth Thinking (William Taylor)
• Joy (Simon Manchester)
• Love, Joy, Peace (Alistair Begg)

Read:

• “Don’t Be Anxious About Anything! Is That All God’s Got To Say?”
• Devotional on Philippians 4 by Don Carson:
• Gratitude on the Gospel Coalition

Other

• Bishop Daniel on the Joy of the Lord

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