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Leader Book
Intentional
Choices:
discovering contentment
in stressful times
Bible Study That Builds C hristian C ommunity
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© Copyright 2001, 2003 Serendipity House
All rights reserved
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by
any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted
in writing by the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing
to Serendipity House; 117 10th Avenue, North; Nashville, TN 37234.
ISBN: 1-5749-4074-0
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible,
New International Version, copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984
by International Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scripture quotations marked as such are taken from the Holy Bible,
New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of
Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.,
Wheaton, IL 60189 USA. All rights reserved.
To order additional copies of this resource:
ORDER ONLINE at www.serendipityhouse.com;
VISIT the LifeWay Christian Store serving you;
WRITE Serendipity House
117 10th Avenue, North
Nashville, TN 37234
FAX (615) 277-8181
PHONE (800) 525-9563
Printed in the United States of America
117 10th Avenue, North
Nashville, Tennessee 37234
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Contents
SESSION 1
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The Stress of Anxious Anticipation
Philippians 4:4–7
8
SESSION 2
The Stress of Making Mistakes
Matthew 26:31–35,69–75
18
Joshua 22:15–18,21–27,32–34
28
Job 1:6–15,18–22
40
Exodus 5:1–2,10–23
52
Exodus 18:13–26
66
Luke 13:1–5
78
Ephesians 4:25–32
88
1 Corinthians 4:1–5
98
SESSION 3
The Stress of Relationships
SESSION 4
The Stress of Loss
SESSION 5
The Stress of Labor
SESSION 6
The Stress of Excess Demands
SESSION 7
The Stress of Crisis
SESSION 8
The Stress of Anger
SESSION 9
The Stress of Negative Evaluation
SESSION 10
The Stress of Change
Genesis 12:1–5
110
Philippians 4:10–13
122
Psalm 23:1–4
134
Exodus 16:35; Numbers 11:4–9
144
SESSION 11
The Stress of Unfulfilled Expectations
SESSION 12
The Stress of Decision Making
SESSION 13
The Stress of Monotony
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Core Values
Community: The purpose of this curriculum is to build
community within the body of believers
around Jesus Christ.
Group Process: To build community, the curriculum must be
designed to take a group through a step-by-step
process of sharing your story with one another.
Interactive Bible Study: To share your “story,” the approach to Scripture
in the curriculum needs to be open-ended and
right-brained—to “level the playing field” and
encourage everyone to share.
Developmental Stages: To provide a healthy program in the life cycle
of a group, the curriculum needs to offer
courses on three levels of commitment:
(1) Beginner Level—low-level entry, high
structure, to level the playing field;
(2) Growth Level—deeper Bible study,
flexible structure, to encourage
group accountability;
(3) Discipleship Level—in-depth Bible
study, open structure, to move the
group into high gear.
Target Audiences: To build community throughout the culture of
the church, the curriculum needs to be flexible,
adaptable, and transferable into the structure
of the average church.
Mission: To expand the kingdom of God one person at
a time by filling the “empty chair.” (We add an
extra chair to each group session to remind us
of our mission.)
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Group Covenant
It is important that your group covenant together, agreeing to live out
important group values. Once these values are agreed upon, your group
will be on its way to experiencing Christian community. It’s very important
that your group discuss these values—preferably as you begin this study.
The first session would be most appropriate. (Check the rules to which
each member of your group agrees.)
Priority: While you are in this course of study, you give the group
meetings priority.
Participation: Everyone is encouraged to participate and no one
dominates.
Respect: Everyone is given the right to his or her own opinion, and
all questions are encouraged and respected.
Confidentiality: Anything that is said in the meeting is never
repeated outside the meeting.
Life Change: We will regularly assess our own life-change goals and
encourage one another in our pursuit of Christlikeness.
Empty Chair: The group stays open to reaching new people at every
meeting.
Care and Support: Permission is given to call upon each other at any
time, especially in times of crisis. The group will provide care for
every member.
Accountability: We agree to let the members of the group hold us
accountable to the commitments we make in whatever loving ways
we decide upon.
Mission: We will do everything in our power to start a new group.
Ministry: The group will encourage one another to volunteer and
serve in a ministry and to support missions by giving financially
and/or personally serving.
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For the Leader
Each group meeting consists of a three-part agenda:
Icebreaker – Fun questions designed to warm the group and build
understanding about other group members. These questions prepare the
group for meaningful discussion throughout the session.
Bible Study – The heart of each session is the Bible study time. The Life
Connections series involves six easy-to-understand segments.
1. Scripture Reading – Each Bible study begins with the reading of the
focal passage.
2. About Today’s Session – This section of the Bible Study time is
designed to peak the interest of attendees and introduce the theme
for the session. In most instances there will be a reminder of what was
studied the previous week, a captivating illustration or analogy related
to everyday life, and a statement describing what life-changing topic
will be given attention.
3. Identifying with the Story – During this segment of the Bible Study,
subgroups learn more about each other by answering questions that
will help them share their story. These questions directly relate to the
topic for the day.
4. Today’s Session – This short teaching time will be led by the Master
Teacher. These scripted teachings include a depth of biblical understanding, fascinating illustrations, analogies, statistics, and stories that
will spark questions and conviction.
5. Learning from the Story – Subgroups will gather to answer a series of
questions that anticipate commitment to applying the truths taught.
6. Life Change Lessons – The Master Teacher gives practical suggestions
that will aid attendees in carrying out the commitments they make.
Caring Time – All study should point us to action. Each session ends with
prayer and direction in caring for the needs of group members. Time is
also provided to pray for the "empty chair." The empty chair is a visible
symbol of the need for each group to lead an unbeliever to a relationship
with Jesus Christ.
The cross icon and boxed text represents portions of the student book that
have been reprinted in this book.
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Every Life Connections group must fill three important roles. Each responsibility is vital to the success of the class.
Teacher – The teacher is the key leader of any Life Connections group.
It is the responsibility of the teacher to:
1. enlist facilitators and apprentices.
2. make facilitators and apprentices aware of their roles and be certain
these responsibilities are carried out.
3. meet periodically with facilitators to train, encourage, and inspire them.
4. cast vision for and keep the group focused on the goals of the group.
5. guide group members to understand and commit to the group covenant.
6. be sure the group utilizes, fills, and evangelizes through use of the
empty chair concept.
7. act as the Master Teacher for the group.
8. keep the group on task throughout each session.
Facilitator – Each subgroup will have a facilitator.
It is the responsibility of the facilitators to:
1. lead each individual in their subgroup to participate in Icebreaker activities.
2. involve all members in their subgroup in the Identifying with the Story
section of the study.
3. guide those in their subgroup to commit to apply the lessons learned in
the Learning from the Story section of the weekly session.
4. with sensitivity and wisdom lead their subgroup to minister to one
another during the Caring Time and involve their subgroup in ministry
and evangelism.
5. minister to the needs of their subgroup members and lead them to
minister to the needs of one another both during and between meetings.
Apprentice – Every subgroup must have an apprentice. When the group
consistently has eight or more in attendance, the group should divide into
two groups. The apprentice will become the facilitator of the new group
and choose an apprentice who will someday be the facilitator of a group.
It is the role of the apprentice to:
1. learn from the facilitator of their group.
2. make welcome all new subgroup members.
3. be certain student books and pens or pencils are available for all
participants.
4. turn in prayer requests.
5. encourage participation by actively participating themselves.
6. lead the group when the facilitator is unavailable.
For more information and frequently asked questions about Life
Connections, visit our Web site at www.serendipityhouse.com.
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Session
1
The Stress of
Anxious Anticipation
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Prepare for the Session
READINGS
REFLECTIVE QUESTIONS
Monday
Philippians
4:4
What can keep you from rejoicing
in the Lord at all times?
Tuesday
Psalm
118:24
What are some good things about
today? Thank God for them. What
are some worries? Pray about them.
Wednesday
Philippians
4:5
Who could you surprise with
gentleness today?
Thursday
Matthew
6:25–34
Underline one verse from this
passage that speaks to you today.
Why did you select it?
Friday
Mark
14:32–34
When have you, like Jesus, dreaded
the events of the coming day? How
did Jesus cope with this situation?
1 Peter
5:7
What worry or anxiety have you
“cast” to Jesus, only to reel it back
in? Pray about that worry and reflect
on how much Jesus loves you.
Philippians
4:6–7
Where in your life do you need
“the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding”? How would it
change your current thoughts
and actions?
Saturday
Sunday
notes
:
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OUR GOALS FOR
THIS SESSION ARE:
BIBLE STUDY
prescription for diffusing anxiety
. to recognize the importance of hearing God
In groups of 6–8,
gather people in
a horseshoe
configuration.
Make sure everyone
has a name tag.
speak in the midst of our anxiety
. to realize where the prayer burden must be
placed to cast off worry and anxiety
LIFE CHANGE
After the Icebreaker,
say something like,
“A lot of what causes
us to worry comes
from conversations
we have with others.
Ultimately, however,
it is the silent, internal self-talk that
creates much of our
anxiety. How do we
change that internal
script and edit our
worries? That is our
focus today.”
Hand out the
Prayer/Praise Report.
A sample copy is
on pages 158-159.
Have people write
down prayer requests
and praises. Then
have the prayer
coordinator collect
the report and make
copies for use during
the Caring Time.
1
. to identify our surface and root worries
and acknowledge them to God
. to read the Bible and select two of the
Take time to share
information on class
parties that are coming
up as well as any
relevant church events.
INTRODUCE THE
ICEBREAKER ACTIVITY:
The students have
been told in their
books to choose
one answer.
. to understand that prayer is God’s
promises of God to memorize
. to prepare a plan of action and prayer,
then leave the rest to God
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Icebreaker
(10-15 minutes)
Worry Barometer. Which of the following statements would cause
you the greatest worry and stress?
Your dentist saying, “I think we’re looking at a root canal.”
Your daughter saying, “Before you see the car, let me explain.”
Your in-laws saying, “We’ll just be staying for a week or so.”
Your wife saying, “Let’s re-do the bathroom ourselves.”
Your husband saying, “I’m thinking of getting a motorcycle.”
Your boss saying, “Come in and close the door.”
Your best friend saying, “What would you think about me
going out with your ex-fiance?”
Your mother saying, “He seemed so nice I gave him your
phone number.”
Your father saying, “We’re looking at that house for sale on
your street.”
Your hairdresser saying, “I’m moving to Baltimore.”
Your son saying, “I think I’d like to be a hairdresser.”
Your wife saying, “The construction crew cut the cable lines.
We won’t have TV for a week.”
notes
:
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Bible Study
LEARNING FROM
THE BIBLE
(30-45 minutes)
The Scripture for this week:
PHILIPPIANS
4:4–7
Have a member of
the class, selected
ahead of time, read
aloud the passage
from Philippians.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your
gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your
minds in Christ Jesus.
4
notes
:
Summarize these
introductory remarks.
Be sure to include
the underlined
information, which
gives the answers
to the student book
questions (provided
in the margin).
What is developing
in our society along
with rapid technological advancement?
What gives Paul
exceptional credibility
as he advises us on
confronting worry?
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…about today’s session (5 minutes)
AN ANTIDOTE FOR ANXIETY
The author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff tapped into the national
panic regarding the seemingly all-consuming stress of everyday life.
With all our technological advances, we are discovering that the evil
twin of rapid development may be rampant anxiety. Therapists are
not only treating thousands of adults with anxiety disorders but they
are also treating anxiety in young children, most from financially
secure homes who are demonstrating symptoms not even seen in
children from war-torn nations!
As adults, we face issues regarding career, finances, marriage, children,
aging parents, health, and schedule overload—just to name a few. Into
that chaos we hear the apostle Paul say, “Do not be anxious about
anything” (Phil. 4:6), and something inside us wants to retort, “Get
real, buddy!” The subtitle of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff is And It’s All
Small Stuff. But when your 80-year-old mother who lives 300 miles
away has fallen and broken her hip, it’s not small stuff. When your
husband is laid off, it’s not small stuff. When your daughter is separating from her husband, it’s not small stuff. And when all that is
happening simultaneously, it’s definitely not small stuff!
Paul’s therapeutic counsel for anxiety would hardly be credible if not
for the fact that he models the treatment plan and demonstrates its
success. Remember, Paul is in prison facing possible execution.
When a man is inching his way toward death row and says, “You don’t
have to be a prisoner of worry,” it makes you want to hear him out.
In today’s session, we’ll study the words of our incarcerated counselor.
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notes
:
1
Remain in groups
of 6–8 people, in
a horseshoe
configuration.
In this small-group
session, students will
be responding to the
following questions
that will help them
share their stories in
terms of Paul’s words
about worry in
Philippians 4:4–7.
Have the students
explore these
questions together.
R
Identifying with the Story
(5-7 minutes)
1. Life is often a three-ring circus of major concerns. From the
following areas, rank your top three concerns according to what
is provoking the most worry in your life at this time.
___
___
___
___
___
finances
career
spouse
parent(s)
health
___
___
___
___
___
children
ex-spouse
family member
a difficult decision
other: ____________
2. Finish this sentence with one of the choices that follow: “My
approach to worry is to ...”
lie awake at night and imagine the worst
attack it with busyness
smother the worry with chocolate
force myself to think rationally about the issue
pray, pray, pray
distract myself with entertainment
upgrade to a panic attack
talk it out and get feedback
other: ________________________________________
3. Which of the following is the best metaphor for your experience
of prayer?
fast food
junk food
leftover lasagna
all-you-can-eat buffet
Lean Cuisine
gourmet meal
Slim-Fast
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Share with your
class the following
information which
you may modify
according to your
own perspectives
and teaching needs.
The answers to the
student book
questions (provided
in the margin) are
underlined.
Paul’s words in
Philippians 4:6
are not so much a
condemnation of
worry as a _________
for dealing with
worry.
The English translation of the Greek
word merimnao is :
__________. The
English word taken
from phroneo is:
___________.
(Note to leader: You
may want to write
these two Greek
words and their
meanings on the
board or on two
large pieces of
paper to refer to
them easily during
the session.)
The phrase translated
into English from
Philippians 2:20,
“takes a genuine
interest” and the word
translated concern in
2 Corinthians 11:28
are both found to
contain the Greek
word for __________.
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today’s session (15-20 minutes)
Someone once quipped, “Life is like living in a room full of dynamite with a monkey running around with a blowtorch. It’s not a
matter of if but just when.” That’s a rather fatalistic view of the future,
but the imagery does illustrate Jesus’ declaration that “In this world
you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Even when life’s seas are calm,
experience tells us the storms are coming. The anticipation of
future trouble or the fear of present trouble’s consequences
provokes us to worry. Indeed, the dictionary defines worry as the
“mental distress or agitation resulting from concern, usually from
something pending or anticipated.”
Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6 are not condemning of worry as
a prescription for dealing with worry. There are two Greek words
contained in these verses that we will be studying: merimnao = anxiety
and phroneo = concern.
In Philippians 4:6 we read: “Do not be anxious [merimnao] about
anything.” Next, listen to Philippians 4:10: “I rejoice greatly in the
Lord that at last you have renewed your concern [phroneo] for me.”
Paul seems to be saying that it’s good to be concerned, but it’s bad
to be anxious.
However, let’s turn back to Philippians 2:19–20: “I hope in the Lord
Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when
I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who takes a
genuine interest in your welfare” (italics added). The phrase that is
translated into the English, “takes a genuine interest” is actually the
Greek word for anxiety (merimnao). Therefore, the verse could be
translated, “I have no one else like him who worries about you.” A
commendable worry, perhaps?
Now look at 2 Corinthians 11:24–28 (have someone read the
passage aloud and then point out the last verse again): “Besides
everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the
churches” (italics added). The NIV may have translated it “concern,”
but in the Greek New Testament you will not find the word for
concern (phroneo) but the word for anxiety (merimnao). Is it okay,
then, to worry about the welfare of others but not about yourself?
How could that be? Paul said not to be anxious about anything.
We have a dilemma. Is Paul contradicting himself? Is Scripture
contradicting itself?
It is not a contradiction when we understand that Paul is not
making a wholesale condemnation of worry but is offering a solution
for dealing with this common problem. First of all, the verb tense for
merimnao in 4:6 suggests ongoing worry without interruption.
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Actually, the verse could be translated: “Don’t just worry.” In other
words, don’t obsess and become fixated in worry. Paul understands
human nature, and his own experiences tell him that life in a fallen
world produces anxious moments. However, being absolutely
immobilized by worry is counterproductive and does not resemble
Christlikeness.
Paul insists that prayer diffuses anxiety. Don’t just worry—let anxiety
be the warning light on your dashboard that tells you to pull over,
get out, and go into your prayer closet. Don’t just worry—let your
anxiety be a burglar alarm that warns you something’s trying to steal
your peace and joy. Paul’s counsel is to fight the thief on your knees.
The advice is not trite. Rather, it is an encouragement to meaningful
connection with God.
What is the best thing
we can do when
we’re anxious?
What role does
hearing God play in
reducing worry?
Why does this work? How does prayer replace worry with peace?
First of all, one of the smartest things we can do when we’re anxious
is to get around someone who is really calm and a good listener, as
opposed to someone who mirrors our anxiety (“Oh, my gosh, you’re
doomed! What are you going to do?”), or someone who hijacks our
anxiety (“That’s nothing. Let me tell you about the time I was fired
right before Christmas.”). We all need a friend who is genuinely a
good and calm listener. We find that friend when we pray and come
into the presence of Jehovah-Shalom, the Lord our Peace. God
Himself is peace and in His presence there is peace. The most often
repeated negative command in Scripture is “fear not” (365 times—
one for each day of the year!), which is most often followed by “for
I am with you.” God wants us to understand that factoring in His
presence always changes the equation—for the better.
Second, in prayer we regain perspective and truth. Remember that
genuine prayer is a dialogue. Prayer that attacks worry doesn’t work
because of catharsis—just pour your heart out and now you feel better. Prayer isn’t just about talking; it’s also about listening.
Look at the before and after picture in Mark 14:32–42. Jesus goes
into the Garden of Gethsemane (an olive grove at the foot of the
Mount of Olives where Jesus sometimes went to pray) deeply
distressed and troubled and later comes out boldly, ready to face His
betrayer and the cross. How do you explain the change? The question
to ask about Jesus’ prayer in the garden is not so much about what
Jesus said. What we really need to know is what did He hear? What
did His Father say that so reassured Jesus that He arose resolutely
from the prayer time? We don’t know what the Father said, but it
seems that it was more important than what the Son said in terms
of bringing peace of mind. In the Life Change Lessons portion of
today’s study, we’ll make some practical applications of this point.
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today’s session (cont’d)
According to this
passage, if my worry
is to be restrained,
who must do
the praying?
Before we close, let’s return to Paul’s prescription for worry. It
requires that the one who is anxious is to pray. Certainly, one is
encouraged to enlist others to pray for him or her, but the verse
implies that the “peace of God, which transcends all understanding”
is a result or a by-product of prayer by the one in need. Often you
may hear someone pray for a friend, “Lord, give Jim the peace that
transcends all understanding.” While God is certainly able to answer
prayers voiced on behalf of someone else, based at least on
Philippians 4:6–7, the responsibility is placed squarely on the anxious
person to pray. This remarkable peace is not the prayer request, but
the prayer result.
notes
:
Remain in groups
of 6–8 people, in
a horseshoe
configuration.
In this small-group
session, students will
be applying the lessons
of the text to their
own lives through the
following questions.
The students were
asked (in the student
book) to choose an
answer for each
question and
explain why.
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Learning from the Story
(5-7 minutes)
1. What is the difference between anxiety and concern? How do the
Greek words merimnao and phroneo illustrate this in Scripture?
2. What was the most beneficial insight about prayer that you
gained today?
Worry is a signal to start praying.
Genuine prayer isn’t just about talking; it’s also about listening.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, what Jesus heard was perhaps
more important than what He said.
I must pray for myself in order to diffuse my worry.
Peace is the result of genuine prayer.
Other: __________________________________________
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Share with the
class the following
thoughts on how the
lessons of this text
might be applied
today. The answers
to the student book
questions (provided
in the margin) are
underlined unless
the question requires
a personal answer.
What are the two
types of worry you
should identify and
acknowledge to God?
R
life change lessons (5-7 minutes)
You will never be able to eliminate worry from your life, but you can
tame it, not allowing it to run wild throughout your mind. Jesus had
a moment of absolute torment in the Garden of Gethsemane, and
Paul undoubtedly had many sleepless nights thinking about his
infant and wobbling churches. A certain degree of worry is normal
and not necessarily harmful. In fact, a certain amount of worry is
probably necessary to stir us from apathy to action, but worry
must be restrained lest it defeat us. The “enemy” within is far more
dangerous than enemies from without. Here are some specific
actions to restrain worry.
1. IDENTIFY YOUR SURFACE AND ROOT WORRIES AND ACKNOWLEDGE THEM TO GOD. Most worries are caused by a perceived
threat to one or both of two vital needs: significance and security.
Significance is about feeling important, valued, and approved,
while security seeks to avoid danger, aloneness, and poverty.
Identify your surface worry (“I’m worried my position or even that
my entire department may be eliminated.”) and the root worry
(“I’m worried I won’t be able to pay my bills and I could lose the
house …). The root worry perceives that security is threatened.
After identifying both the surface and the root worry, acknowledge
these to God. As author Jim Cymbala wrote, “Unbelief talks to
itself instead of talking to God.”
Say something like, “God, I’m worried sick about the turnout for
this event. I guess if it flops I’ll feel that I failed. I’m thinking that
people won’t follow my leadership, so I should just quit. I want to
feel significant and successful, but right now I’m just feeling like
a loser. God, help me with the event, but even more help me
think rightly about myself regardless of how the event goes.”
In order to attack
worry, what must
you hear and
rehearse?
(Note to leader: Have
a copy of one or more
of these books to hold
up or pass around.
Class members’
interest will be
greater if they can
see an example.)
2. READ THE BIBLE AND SELECT TWO OF THE PROMISES FOUND
THERE. As we stated earlier in the session, Jesus’ transformation
in the Garden of Gethsemane was influenced more by what He
heard from the Father than by what Jesus said to Him. Jesus said,
“You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John
8:32). Hearing and embracing God’s reassuring truth has the
power to set you free from the prison of debilitating worry.
Allowing God to speak the truth to you from His authoritative
Word, the Bible, will help you understand where your significance
and security lies. Many books, available in Christian bookstores,
list some of God’s promises from Scripture in response to specific
problems or needs.
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student book, p. 12
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life change lessons (cont’d)
What does worry
empty today of?
3. PREPARE A PLAN OF ACTION AND PRAYER, THEN LEAVE THE REST
TO GOD. Think of it: worry, which negatively anticipates the future,
and guilt, which negatively reviews the past, are both worthless
unless they motivate you to do something differently in the present. As the saying goes, “Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its
troubles; it only empties today of its strength.” Long ago, Jesus
made the same assertion when he said, “ ‘Who of you by worrying
can add a single hour to his life?’ ” (Matt. 6:27). Worry is useless
unless it propels us to action, the first action being prayer, followed
by thoughtful action. Start today by preparing a plan of action for a
situation you are worried about and prayerfully leave the rest to
God. Remember, a problem should provoke a response of prayer,
action, and more prayer.
notes
:
CARING TIME
Remain in groups
of 6–8 people, in
a horseshoe
configuration.
Hand out the Prayer/
Praise Report to the
entire group. Ask each
subgroup to pray for
the empty chair. Pray
specifically for God to
guide you to someone
to bring next week to
fill that chair.
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Caring Time
(15-20 minutes)
This is the time for developing and expressing your caring for
group members. Take turns praying for the concerns listed on the
Prayer/Praise Report, as well as other requests that have been
shared. In addition, pray that each group member will find peace
through prayer.
If you would like to pray silently, say “Amen” when you have
finished so the next person will know when to start.
notes
:
After a sufficient
time of prayer in
subgroups, close in a
corporate prayer. Say,
“Next week we will
talk about: ‘The Stress
of Making Mistakes.’ ”
Remind participants
of the daily Scripture
readings and reflective
questions found on
page 18.
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LC_Intentional Choices LDR.qxd
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Page 17
student book, pp. 12-13
BIBLE STUDY NOTES
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Reference Notes
Use these notes to gain further understanding
of the text as you study on your own.
PHILIPPIANS 4:4
joyfulness
Rejoice in the Lord always. Following an exhortation to the Philippians
to be unified, and citing a specific case of division that concerns him, Paul
proceeds to encourage the development of positive Christian behaviors.
First, believers are to rejoice—to be filled with and express joy. Note that
the exhortation is to rejoice in the Lord. It is faith in Christ and a focus on His
love, grace, and goodness that makes joyfulness realistic and possible. It is
this perspective that allows Paul to rejoice in the Lord, though imprisoned.
I will say it again: Rejoice! Paul repeats the admonition for emphasis.
An additional purpose of the repetition is likely a response to the skeptical reaction to his first exclamation. Facing great difficulty themselves and
with their leader in prison, the Philippians would likely greet his joyful
advice with disbelief or reluctance. The repetition is Paul’s way of saying,
“Yes, you heard me right; rejoice, I tell you!”
PHILIPPIANS 4:5
nonretaliation
gentleness. The Greek word, epiekes, describes a willingness to yield one’s
personal rights when the normal or expected response would be retaliation
(see Matt. 5:38–42).
The Lord is near. This is not referring to Christ’s continual presence but
to His second coming, at which time the righteous Judge will confront
all injustices.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6
worship
Do not be anxious. The Greek word, merimnao, implies excessive concern or anxiety. The verb tense suggests continual anxiety. In other words,
“Do not be constantly anxious about anything.” In context with the preceding verses, Paul is specifically admonishing the Philippians not to
worry about the problems of present or future persecution. However, since
Paul said that believers should not be anxious about anything, certainly
the application may be extended beyond the experiences of persecution.
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving. Prayer, proseuche, implies the
attitude of worship. Petition, deesei, is the expression of needs.
Thanksgiving, eucharistias, should accompany all prayer.
PHILIPPIANS 4:7
peace
the peace of God. This is the only time this phrase is used in the New
Testament. Note that the prayerful and obedient believer is promised the
peace of God (v. 7) and the God of peace (Phil. 4:9).
transcends all understanding. It is a supernatural peace that cannot be
explained by logic or attained by good psychology. It is a peace that operates
not in a denial of reality, but transcends circumstances.
guard your hearts and your minds. Drawing from a military analogy, to
guard, phroureo, recalls a military garrison stationed inside the city,
employed to protect its citizens. Thus, the peace of God residing within the
heart and mind of the praying believer acts as a guard against intruding
anxious thoughts.
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