Connect Out of these three rhythms of life—praise (continual rejoicing), prayer (indiscriminate thanksgiving), and practice (praiseworthy thinking)—which of these do you need to develop the most?

Warm-Up

1. Have you ever had an amazing friend or colleague you loved collaborating and working with?
   What made it special and a joy? 
2. Have you ever had that experience with other Christians? What did it look like?

Read Philippians 4:10-13

3. Why was Paul rejoicing in the Lord that the Philippians renewed their concern about him? Who has arrived from Philippi and what did he bring? (Hint: read Phil 2:25) 
4. Before the Philippians help arrived, how was Paul going? What has he learnt?
5. How do you define “content”? How is it similar and different from Paul’s idea of contentment?
6. What type of circumstances did Paul face? How are they similar or different to what you’ve faced?
7. Who enabled Paul to endure these things? Have you ever experienced God’s strength in any situation? What difference did it make?
8. Are you ever tempted to find contentment aside from Christ? What helps you to draw back to Christ, and be dependent on him? 

Read Philippians 4:14-23

9. How is the partnership between Paul and the Philippians personal? What is the difference between knowing about and sharing in troubles and trials?
10. How do you make an effort to personally know other Chrisitians? How much of a priority is it to you? How could you grow in your understanding of what others are facing?
11. How did the Philippians practically support Paul (both now and in the early day)? Why might that have been impressive?
12. Has there been a time you’ve received practical support? What made it helpful?
13. Jumping back to Philippians 1:3-11, how does Paul support the Philippians in prayer? How does prayer express our partnership in the gospel? 
14. What type of things do you regularly pray for others? Where can you grow in prayer for others?
15. What part of the letter to the Philippians stood out to you this entire series? How has it helped you to grow as a disciple of Jesus?

Apply Continue (or begin) by praying for your partners in the gospel. You might like to begin by praying daily for each person in your Small Group. 

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On Your Front Line this Week

How do you think about your pressures at work and home? How might God be using you in these pressures?

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen: “Incarnation” by Tim Keller:
  https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/incarnation/ 
• Listen: “Gospel Mindset” by Pete Wilkinson:
  https://stebbes.org/sermons/gospel-mindset/ 
• Listen: “Gospel Thinking” by William Taylor:
  https://www.st-helens.org.uk/resources/talk/56121/ 

Series Resources

• Book: “Reading Philippians: A Theological Introduction” by Nijah Kupta
  (Available in the Church Library)
• Commentary: “Philippians (New Combridge Bible Commentary Series)”: by Mike Bird and Nijay Gupta. (Available in the Church Library)
• Video: “Joy” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/chara-joy/  
• Video: “Book of Philippians Overview” by The Bible Project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE9qqW1-BkU  
• Audio: “The Joy of Jesus” from St Bart’s series on the Fruit of the Spirit: https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermons/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-the-joy-of-jesus  

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