The Search Begins
Pastor Kirk,
September 30, 2018
Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11
Summary: The search for joy begins with knowing who you are. When your identity is rooted in Christ you can see the good around you, your current circumstance will not determine the level of your joy and you will find joy in rooting for others.
Main Thought: When your identity is rooted in Christ you can experience true joy.
Getting to Know Each Other:
Pastor Kirk shared a story about a person who epitomized joy to him. Who epitomizes joy to you?
Going Deeper:
- In Phil 1:1-2 Paul identifies himself as being “of Christ.” We often define our identity by our profession, accomplishments, or a relationship. Does a relationship with Christ change this for you? If so, how?
- In Phil 1:3-6, Paul thinks about his friends in Philippi and says he is filled with joy whenever he thinks about them. Paul’s time in Philippi was difficult and yet he is filled with joy when he remembers it. We all go through difficult times and struggles, and sometimes we can find ourselves focusing on the bad more than the good. Is that true for you? How could Paul be filled with joy when he thinks about his time in Philippi? What does Rom 8:28 say about going through difficult times?
- How much influence do your current circumstances have on your joy? Consider Matthew 7:24-27. How does this relate to your current circumstances and finding joy?
- In Phil 1:9-11 Paul writes a wonderful prayer which, in essence, is him cheering on the Philippians while he sits in jail. Do you find it easy or difficult to root for others and cheer on their success? Do think it is possible to find joy in cheering others on as Paul did?
- Read Acts 16:16-40 which is the account of Paul and Silas in a difficult situation in Philippi. Do you think Paul and Silas were able to find joy in this situation? Why or why not? How do you think they found joy in this situation?
Apply it:
- This week pay attention to the way you talk to yourself and phrases you repeatedly say.Pay attention to the frustrations you experience. Often our self-talk and frustrations can reveal something about what our identity is rooted in.
- Ask God who or what your identity is rooted in. Spend some time listening to what He has to say to you.
Pray without ceasing:
- Ask God to help you and the people in your group become people who epitomize joy for others.
- Pray for our Seamless Link partners, Bob & Amanda Eldred serving in Mexico City, as they continue in language study. Ask God to help them to quickly grasp the language.
