ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

WEEK BEGINNING 12 MARCH 2006

PHILIPPIANS 4:10-23: NEW GENEROSITY

For home groups that would like them, here are some questions based on the talk at Sunday's 6:30 pm service. There's no need to answer them all - just tackle the ones you have time for. You don't need to stick to the areas mentioned here - feel free to discuss any other issues that arise for you. (Incidentally, please note that we're now using Today's New International Version in Evening Worship and that some of the Bible quotations may be slightly different from other versions.)

1. Read Philippians 4:10-23.

2. On a scale of 1 to 10, how content are you? What would make things better?

3. Paul says that he has 'learned the secret of being content' (verse 12). What makes this all the more remarkable is verse 10: 'I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances'. How do you respond to this?

4. What clues does verse 13 give us to Paul's secret of being content?

5. In what ways do you face the pressure to be discontented with what you have at the moment? What practical steps might you be able to take to tackle this?

6. How does Paul's relationship with the Philippians contributed to his sense of contentment? What have they done for him? Why?

7. Why does Paul interpret what they have done as an act of worship (verse 18)?

8. In what specific ways are we at present those through whom God is able to meet the needs of others? What scope might there be for more of this in our lives?

9. Is there ever any danger of others having to go without because of our unwillingness to respond to God's call to be generous and share what we have?

10. How often do we take the time to stop and listen for his promptings about what we should be doing with what he has given us?

David Stone
12 March 2006