THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS Week 4 - May 2, 2021 Philippians 1:12-20 GETTING TO KNOW YOU 1. What is the most difficult thing you have had to endure? How did you respond? 2. What is the most significant thing that has ever happened to you? 3. Denzel Washington said, “Beware of destination addiction: The idea that happiness is in the next place, the next job, or even with the next partner. Until you give up the idea that happiness is somewhere else, it will never be where you are”. Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? 4. Rick Warren said, “No matter what arrows are thrown at you, no matter what you suffer in this life because of your faith, God wants you to remain faithful to him and keep on doing good to others”. Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? 5. Steven Furtick said, “Faith doesn’t always mean that God changes your situation. Sometimes it means He changes you”. Thoughts? Agree? Disagree? 6. Looking back at your notes from this week’s sermon, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you? DIGGING DEEPER 1. What are some of the things that Paul/Saul had experienced? How has it shaped and defined his life? What has he endured for the gospel? How did he view the circumstances and situations of life? • If you were in Paul, would you have thought about throwing in the towel? How many people can you think of that have thrown in the towel over the years? What was different about Paul? What should be different about us? What was Paul’s motivation? Is it any different for you? Explain. 2. How did Paul leverage the circumstances he faced for the gospel? Did he look at the circumstances and situations he faced and was facing as barriers and roadblocks or opportunities? Explain. How was God’s sovereignty on display? How did Paul trust in the sovereignty of God? How did it shape how he viewed the circumstances of life? • Do you leverage the circumstances and situations of your life to advance the gospel? When you experience the issues and circumstances of life do you view them as obstacles and barriers or opportunities? What are circumstances that you are currently going through that God has sovereignly placed you in? 3. How were others emboldened by Paul’s circumstances? Did prison increase or decrease his confidence? Why was there a boldness to proclaim the gospel? Did everyone do it from sincere motives? Why was this rivalry going on? How did Paul view it? What was most important? At the end of the day, what was happening as a result? • When it comes to sharing the gospel for you, does it produce fear or courage? Explain. Can you share the gospel to the wrong person? Even if our motives aren’t always pure or in the right place, can God still use Christ being proclaimed to reach people? Explain. 4. How was Paul being encouraged? What role did the Holy Spirit have? What role did the prayer and encouragement of others have? Did Paul feel isolated and alone? Did he view the gospel being proclaimed as only his responsibility and effort? How do we all play a part in the proclamation of the gospel? • How does the Holy Spirit encourage, embolden, equip, and edify you? How do others? Is this an expectation that you have? How are you doing this for others? 5. How can Cross Church have a greater impact on the lost? How can we have a greater impact in our community? How can we impact each other? • What can you do to have a greater impact on the lost? Cross Church? Others? Explain. GROWING CLOSER 1. Who is someone you shared the gospel with this week? 2. What have you been reading in your quiet times? 3. What has God been teaching you?
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