When Christians live with the confidence that what God started, He will finish, unexplainable joy follows. We can be bold rather than tentative, grateful rather than uncertain, and rejoice rather than be afraid. ~Pastor Dave
Open: Have you ever completed a project that you saw through from beginning to end? Share your story. How did you feel when you were finished? What things would you consider were necessary in order to accomplish the project?
Read: Philippians 1; John 15:1-17; Romans 8; Hebrews 12:1-2
Discuss:
1. In what ways have we narrowed the Christian life to a checklist of requirements? How have you experienced this in your spiritual life? How does the gospel go against the productivity mentality? In what ways do we attempt to receive approval from God by productivity for God? Can you think of any Scripture references that run against this mentality?
2. Read Philippians 1:6. Share how your faith in Christ began. How does knowing that God finishes the work He started in you give you confidence and joy in life? Read Hebrews 12:1-2. How did knowing the end bring joy to Christ even when experiencing the cross? How can this type of joy allow you to endure suffering as well?
3. Paul prays for the believers in Philippi. What are some of things that he prays for? How is love deeper than a feeling? What makes love in our world so difficult? Describe how giving love causes you to experience joy? Share an illustration of this truth from your own life.
4. What does “approving what is excellent” look like? In what ways do we settle for good instead of best in our lives? How have you experienced this in your own life?
5. What makes purity so difficult? How is joy affected by our pursuit of purity? What impurities are exemplified in our current culture? How is this causing more unhappiness?
6. What does it look like to bear fruit in the Christian life? In what ways are you bearing fruit right now? How is fruit dependent upon Christ? What places in your life do you want to bear more fruit? How does bearing fruit increase our joy? Take a moment to take a spiritual inventory of your joy.
Pray: Pray that you would become more aware of the work that God is doing in your life right now. Ask God to help you love well, live purely, and bear fruit for His glory.
Memorize/Meditate: And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of J
