WEEK 5: LETTING GO… OF SECURITY & FINDING A SOURCE OF JOY
Philippians 4:14-20
READ Each week as we read through the book of Philippians we will read a different translation. This week we will be reading The Message (MSG). You can find different translations through the YouVersion Bible App (www.bible.com). Consider listening to the scripture this week. Day 1 - Read Chapter 1 Day 2 - Read Chapter 2 Day 3 - Read Chapter 3 Day 4 - Read Chapter 4 Day 5 - Watch the video on this page about Joy: https://bibleproject.com/videos/chara-joy/ MEMORIZE This week we are memorizing Philippians 4:19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” As you work toward memorizing this week’s verse consider writing it on post-it notes and putting it in places where you will see it often – the bathroom mirror, your car, above your stove/on a kitchen cabinet, beside your favorite chair. Don’t forget to review the scriptures from the previous weeks.
REFLECT Are you familiar with the “pay it forward” concept? The idea is that when you experience kindness or generosity from someone you then pass that on to someone else, by being kind or generous to another person. This happens a lot in the Starbucks drive-thru – one person pays for the car behind them, then the next person does the same, and so on. That’s the idea Paul is getting at with the Philippians. In The Message version he says, “I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity” (verse 17). Think of a time when you have been generous. What was that experience like? Did you receive any blessing or joy as a result of your generosity?
Sometimes it is hard to be generous. We are afraid if we give too much we might struggle or have to go without. Have you ever held back from being generous because you were afraid of losing something?
Spend a few quiet minutes with God. Listen for what God might be speaking to you today. Is God asking you to be generous somewhere today? Is God asking you to get uncomfortable in your generosity?
SPIRITUAL HABIT As you reflect on that last question, prepare to practice our spiritual habit that was introduced in this week’s sermon. Use this video to guide you through the practice this week: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp6jZoqS99Q