Group Guides | Sharing the gospel, sharing our lives (1 Thessalonians 2:8)

By way of introduction: Take some time to reflect upon and describe the experience of being discontent.

Read Philippians 4:10-13

1. We know what it is to be discontent, by experience, and the apostle Paul writes here that he has learned to be content in what situations?

2. Paul writes that he has ‘learned the secret’ of contentment. Discuss:

   • Why is contentment a ‘secret’?

   • How is contentment ‘learned’?

3. Verse 13 is often pulled out of its context as a pretext to do whatever we want and get whatever we want out of life. Yet, what does it mean for us from the context of this passage?

4. Why doesn’t contentment come instantly and easily to us?

5. How does the gospel meet our discontentment?

6. Read Psalm 16, how does this help us learn the secret of being content?

7. The word ‘disciple’ means ‘learner’. So since the ministry of the church is one of making disciple-makers, how can we learn the secret of contentment together?

Pray that we as a church would be a joyful community, content in Christ.

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