“Joy’s Protection” (Philippians 4:1-9) by Dave Bechtel

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Here are the sermon questions for small group discussion. There are too many to cover so pick and choose the questions that will work best for your group. Please continue to pray for Easter services - for God to transform lives, to pour out His Spirit, to anoint Pastor Dave, for us to be sincerely welcoming to others, for us to truly worship the Living God, etc.

1. For fun, dream up other compound words like Pastor Dave shared for Volkswagen owners (e.g., windshieldwiper/das drizzleflippen). This was a man’s idea of a fun mixer….go with it or not but it is just for fun!
2. Read Philippians 4:1-9 and review the following:
   1. What are the commands in this passage? stand firm (v. 1), agree with each other and help each other (v. 2), rejoice in the Lord (v. 3), let your gentleness be evident to all (v. 4), do not be anxious but pray (v. 6-7), think about good things listed (v. 8), follow Paul’s example (v. 9)
   2. How does Paul advise the Philippians to handle strife? stop it and agree with one another in the Lord - like He has forgiven us, we forgive each other; Paul also asks the Philippians to step in and help them get along
   3. What are some other words for “anxious” (v. 6)? stress, worry, concerned, afraid, overwhelmed
   4. What is the difference between prayer and petition (v. 6)? prayer is a general word for talking with God; petition is our specific requests
   5. How would you describe the “peace of God” (v. 7)? is not understandable, guards my heart and my mind, is not fearful or worried or stressed, it is both from God and in us
3. Review the progression Pastor Dave taught on joy’s protection: God’s grace – faith – righteousness - peace – joy. How is each dependent on the one before it? basically these things when in us protect our joy; we can not have faith if we have not heard of God’s grace provided in Jesus Christ for us; we can not have positional righteousness without faith; we can not have peace if our practical righteousness is missing; we can not have joy if peace is missing
4. Review the difference between positional and practical righteousness. positional righteousness is when God declares us righteous/sinless before Him when we receive the gift of salvation and nothing can disrupt or change what God has declared for who believe in His Son - they are positionally right with God. Practical righteousness depends on how we are living and can steal our peace and joy when we are not living for the Lord.
5. How can strife steal our joy? Which antidote (outline Ib) particularly helps you avoid strife? the anger, bitterness, unforgiveness and other feelings associated with strife wreck our practical righteousness which then steals our peace and joy. The antidotes are 1) In the Lord, 2) Reasonableness, 3) Intervention by trusted believers and 4) The Lord is near. “In the Lord” refers to us being connected in the Lord as His children who have all experienced His forgiveness and generously forgive each other. “Reasonableness refers to gentleness….the humble manner in which we approach strife. “Intervention by trusted brothers” refers to other people helping those who are in the disagreement like counselors and especially our small group. “The Lord is near” refers to a perspective adjustment that realizes Jesus is in us and with us which may stop many disputes.
6. What commonly causes you to stress out? What are we telling others about God when we as Christians are habitually stressed or worried? What are we telling others when we practice Phil 4:6-7? answers may vary on stressors; we are telling others that God is not to be trusted, He is not powerful enough, He is not good, He is not in control, etc. When we experience the peace of God after praying with thanksgiving we are telling others the exact the opposite.
7. What type of “sludge” do you commonly think about? What things from the list in verse 8 could help you eliminate this “sludge?” answers will vary; this might be a good gender specific question
8. Do you think it was appropriate or egotistical for Paul to tell the Philippian’s to follow his example in verse 9? Explain. Who in your life could you imitate? opinions will vary but we would argue that it is not egotistical because it was for the Philippians best, not to promote himself. It was for the Philippians best because Paul was living out his commands while in prison being fruitful - living without strife, without stress, and without sludge.
9. What types of things usually kill your joy? What have you learned from this sermon series that will help you maintain joy? answers will vary