Bible Study Phil. 4

Philippians 4:10-

Philippians 4:10–14 ESV

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

Philippians 4:8–9 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:

Philippians 4:6–7 ESV

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

New Living Translation Chapter 4

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:

What did we talk about in regard to these verses?

What do we learn about people in these verses? We get anxious, we worry.

What do we learn about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit in these verses? We can take all our “stuff” everything to God

Is there a particular sin to avoid, command to obey, example to follow and/or promise to celebrate in these verses? What is the example to follow and promise to celebrate? And is it based on a condition? With thanksgiving, remembering all that God has done, He will give us His peace, and it will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

New Living Translation Chapter 4

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:8-9

Philippians 4:8–9 ESV

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

What do we learn about people in these verses? We have to be reminded to “focus” our minds and we have to be reminded or told what to focus our minds on. We also have to be told/reminded to practice what we’ve seen or learned from Paul and other Godly examples.

What do we learn about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit in these verses? Jesus is the embodiment of these characteristics, so in essence, Paul is telling us to focus on Jesus.

Is there a particular sin to avoid, command to obey, example to follow and/or promise to celebrate in these verses? If we want the peace of God, peace that transcends our understanding, that makes no sense situationally, then we need to fix our minds on Jesus and think about Him, focus on God and He gets bigger and our problems get smaller, focus on our problems and they get bigger and God gets smaller. Paul is saying that a condition is we have to practice what we say we believe, not just say it.

New Living Translation Chapter 4

Paul’s Thanks for Their Gifts

10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

Philippians 4:10-14

Philippians 4:10–14 ESV

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.

What do we learn about people/us in these verses? People can be good and kind and helpful. We can learn to be content, but our natural inclination is to be unsatisfied, this content life is a secret to most and must be learned.

What do we learn about people/us in these verses?

What do we learn about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit in these verses? Christ is the one who strengthens us in our situations and can help us be content.

Is there a particular sin to avoid, command to obey, example to follow and/or promise to celebrate? If we rely on Jesus’ strength, focus our minds on Him, take all our cares and worries to Him, He can strengthen us to endure, with rejoicing (v4), and all of this allows us to be content. To not want/desire/covet for more, to not be bitter/angry/jealous/ when we have less and are in difficult situations. Jesus was in the most difficult of all situations, let’s look back at

New Living Translation Chapter 2

Have the Attitude of Christ

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

6 Though he was God,

he did not think of equality with God

as something to cling to.

7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

8 he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor

and gave him the name above all other names,

10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

What do we learn about God/Jesus/Holy Spirit in these verses?

What do we learn about people/us in these verses?

Is there a sin to avoid, a command to obey, example to follow, and/or promise to celebrate?