Learning Contentment
Contentment is one of those difficult to define qualities that’s even more challenging to put into practice and actually experience. Growing in this quality is a continual process that can’t be rushed. Whether you are very aware of your discontent or feel mostly contented right now, all of us have room to grow in this part of our character. How would you define contentment and how can we live a contented life?
How would you define contentment? On a scale of 1-10, how content are you right now? What obstacles prevent you from finding contentment?
Ask the Lord to help you grow in the area of contentment, then read Philippians 4:10-23.
- What does Paul say about contentment in these verses? Write your own one sentence summary of these verses.
- Are there any principles from this text or the sermon you want to practice in your life or that have been part of your life experience?
How could experiencing both scarcity and abundance help you learn contentment? How could resting on God’s provision (remember verses 13 and 19) help you grow in contentment?
Are there ways you think of poverty as a curse and material wealth as a blessing?
- How is your perspective confirmed or challenged by Scripture (see 4:12-13 and Proverbs 30:7-9).
- How do poverty and wealth present extreme tests of faith?
- How might growing in generosity help you grow in contentment?
What “things” are you tempted to love more than people (influence, pleasure, technology, experiences, food, experiences, possessions)? How could loving those things “depersonalize” people and twist your actions, thoughts, or values?
Like the Philippians and Paul exerted a positive influence on one another, who are some people that have been a powerful influence in your life and who is someone that you want to influence to find and follow (or keep following) Jesus?
Stand
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Finding Your Confidence
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Connecting and Reconnecting Others
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Your Lens for Seeing Life
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