Good & Plenty Discussion Guides

Part 1: The Secret of Contentment

Discussion following the sermon from 11/7/21

Our sermon series for the month of November is Good N Plenty. In this series we will look at what it takes to experience true happiness. Today’s message is The Secret of Contentment, and in this message Beau uses the letters of Paul to explain why contentment is a prerequisite for a joyous and contented life. The Scripture for today’s sermon is Philippians 4:11-12: "…I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little."

Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians from a Roman prison. From the world’s perspective he has very little reason to be content. But Paul has learned that contentment is not determined by whether his circumstances are good or bad. He has learned the “secret” of living contentedly in every situation. So what is this secret, and how can all of us be content? Pastor Beau answers these questions with four biblical truths (one is something we shouldn’t do, and three are things we should do) that will help us discover the secret of contentment.

1. RESIST COMPARING MYSELF TO OTHERS.

   Galatians 6:14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.

   2 Corinthians 10:12 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

   Comparison is a contentment killer, and it is definitely something we are to avoid. Nothing good comes from comparing ourselves to others. If we compare favorably, we risk the danger of becoming prideful. If we compare poorly, it is likely that we will become discouraged or even depressed. Paul says that it is not wise to compare ourselves with others. And he also says that none of the things in the world by which we compare ourselves should be important to Christians anyway. Discuss within the group what it is within ourselves that causes us to compare ourselves with others. Ask the group if anyone would share an experience when comparing themselves to someone else caused a problem.
   
   

2. REJOICE IN WHAT I DO HAVE.

   Philippians 3:1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.

   Philippians 1:12 And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.

   Philippians 3:8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

   Joy produces contentment. Paul tells us to always “rejoice in the Lord.” He explains that it is our relationship with Christ and not worldly accomplishments that make us content. A great job, a desired relationship, or even the world’s accolades brings only temporary contentment. Only God can fill the longing of the soul. Paul found contentment even in suffering, because his joy came from his relationship with Jesus. Discuss what it means to have joy in the Lord, and how this joy makes us content.
   
   

3. RELEASE WHAT I HAVE TO HELP OTHERS.

   1 Timothy 6:17–19 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

   Generosity is another thing that leads to contentment. Paul says, we are to use our money for good, and we can be generous with more than just our money. We can invest our time, energy, and abilities to promote God’s goodness. It is hard to explain, but there is something satisfying about being generous. Generosity helps others and it brings contentment to our soul. Have the members of the group talk about ways that generosity has produced contentment in their lives.
   
   

4. REFOCUS ON WHAT’S GOING TO LAST.

   II Cor. 4:18 We fix our attention, not on the things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.

   Nothing can give us more contentment than knowing that we have eternal life through faith in Christ. There is also great contentment in knowing that our service to God has eternal rewards. Paul tells us that contentment comes by fixing our attention on things that can’t be seen. Discuss why the promise of a secure future in heaven overshadows all the trials and heartaches we experience on this earth.
   
   

Close the group by taking prayer requests and spending time in prayer.

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Part 2: Plenty of Confidence

Discussion following the sermon from 11/14/21

Last week’s sermon addressed how contentment was required if one is going to live the life God desires for us. Today’s sermon is about the importance of being confident. Pastor Beau explains the relation between contentment and confidence. He suggests that we need confidence in the Lord if we want to be content, and he uses the letters of Paul to show us that we can be confident. The central verse for this message is Philippians 1:6: "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

Did you notice that it is God who does the work? Our confidence is not in our abilities, but in what God can do in us. Did you also see that Paul is saying that God’s not done yet? None of us, not even Paul, are perfected yet. But we can be confident that God will complete the work before Christ comes back. Beau pointed out that our sanctification (God’s transformation to make us like Him) is done by God. All we can do is obey God and trust Him to complete the work. Beau gives us four biblical truths to build our confidence. Each one tells us to stop doing something that will destroy our confidence and gives us something to do that will give us confidence.

1. STOP BELIEVING YOU’RE A MISTAKE AND START BELIEVING YOU’RE A MASTERPIECE.

   Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."
   
   
   The world will tell you that you’re not good enough—that you are a mistake or a failure. Last week Beau talked about how all the world’s voices (especially those on social media) try to get us to compare ourselves to someone else. Believing these voices takes away our confidence, but believing what God says about us builds our confidence. Have the group share an experience about something that someone said or did that hurt their confidence. Have the group share how it makes them feel to know that God sees us as His masterpiece.



2. STOP FOCUSING ON YOUR FAILURES AND START FOCUSING ON GOD’S GRACE.
   2 Corinthians 12:9 "Each time he said, 'My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.' So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."
   
   
   God does not call us to be a success in respect to the world’s opinion. In fact, God knows full well our failures. 2 Corinthians 12:9 explains that Paul saw his weakness (he had a physical disability) as a way for God’s grace to be displayed in him. Beau explained that Paul had garnered great honor in the world, and yet he counted all the world’s accolades as nothing. Paul did not focus on his successes or his failures. His only desire was to be an instrument of God’s grace. Ask the group to talk about how focusing on God’s grace gives them confidence in their life.



3. STOP WORRYING ABOUT YOUR WEAKNESSES AND START RELYING ON HIS STRENGTH.
   1 Corinthians 1:27–28 "Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important."
   
   
   Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
   
   
   Another reason why comparison is destructive is because it causes us to focus on our own weaknesses. God is able to use us just as we are. God will give us all we need to do what He wants us to do. 1 Corinthians 1:27 says that God uses the things the world sees as foolish to shame the wise. God does not need brilliant people, He needs willing people—people that will trust Him and allow Him to work in and through them. The Christian who is obedient to God is capable of doing whatever God asks him to do. Have the group share an area of their life where they need God’s strength.
   
   


4. STOP FEARING THE FUTURE AND START DECLARING THE VICTORY.
   Romans 8:37 "No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us."
   
   
   1 Corinthians 2:9 … “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
   
   
   The world emphasizes the kinds of things that cause us to be afraid. God tells us there is no reason to fear because we already have the victory in Him. The verses that come before Romans 8:37 relate some very fearful things (hardship, persecution, famine, and even death). But Romans 8:37 says that we do not have to fear these things because the believer has an overwhelming victory in Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:9 tells us that we can’t even imagine the glorious future we will have in Christ. Declaring victory is simply agreeing with God. It is choosing to believe that God controls our future. Have the group talk about the things that cause them to fear. Ask them to share what declaring victory would look like for them.