Fruit of the Spirit: Peace (Philippians 4)
(Our Reforming Group Guides are designed to be inductive, using the COMA form of study: Context, Observation, Meaning, Application. For more on this method, check out this article.)
By way of introduction: What is it about ‘peace’ that makes it such an attractive prospect for us?
Read Philippians 4
As we read verses 2-3, we look into the personal lives of people in the church of Philippi, where two dear sisters in Christ are in conflict with one another. What is the solution to such conflict given here, and why would such a solution work?
Anxiousness is the opposite to internal peace, and it can come from external conflict or anything really. Paul writes into this with Philippians 4:6-7, as God speaks to our anxiety. Knowing that there can be a difference between medical anxiety and anxiousness, why is praying a solution to anxiousness?
It’s often said that prayer is “talking to God”, and it is! Yet from this passage, could you deepen the definition of prayer?
Recognising that the peace of God given to us surpasses all understanding, what do you think it could mean that your mind and heart are ‘guarded’ after praying about whatever makes you anxious?
In verses 8-9 we are given two imperatives; ‘think on these things’ and ‘practice these things’. How does that help us have peace?
In verses 10-13 (and following with some details to the end of the chapter), Paul writes about having peace when it’s so easy to be discontent. What is the ‘secret’ (verse 12) to this?
Philippians 4:9 gives us great assurance when we need peace, what is that and how does that happen?
Think about the things that have caused conflict, anxiousness and discontentedness in your life in 2021, how has, or would, turning these things to God in prayer change everything?
Pray for one another of Reforming, and for friends of Reforming - that we would know the presence of the God of peace who is with us.
