Practicing GODliness - Message 5 - CONTENTMENT and THANKFULNESS

Study Questions:

I.        The New Testament word that is rendered as “contentment” in our English Bibles has the meaning of sufficiency. Paul uses the same Greek root in 1 Timothy 6:6,8 to express contentment as he does in 2 Corinthians 9:8 and 12:9 to express sufficiency. Considering these passages, how would you define biblical contentment?

II.      Meditate on the following passages of Scripture. Then write down your thoughts about the Bible’s teaching on contentment with one’s possessions. Psalm 119:36-37; Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; Hebrews 13:5

III.    What principles in the following passages can help you practice contentment?

Psalm 19:9-10; Proverbs 3:13-15; Mark 8:36-37

1 Chronicles 29:12-14

Matthew 20:1-16

Luke 12:48; 1 Timothy 6:17-18

IV.    Contentment with one’s position in life, either in society or in the body of Christ, is as important as contentment with possessions. What light do the following passages of Scripture shed on how you should think about your position in the body of Christ?

Romans 12:3-6; 1 Corinthians 12:11-16; Ephesians 3:8

V.      The “providence of God” refers to God’s care of and control over the universe for His own glory and the good of His people. Study the following passages of Scripture and describe their teaching regarding the providence of God.

Genesis 20:6; 50:20; Exodus 3:21; Proverbs 21:1; Isaiah 55:8-9; Daniel 4:34-35; Romans 8:28

What basic element of the Christian faith can you call on to gain contentment in difficult circumstances?

VI.    In Philippians 4:11-12, Paul says he has learned the secret of being content in any circumstance. Review your answer to question 1 and look again at 2 Corinthians 12:9. What do you think was the secret Paul had learned?

VII.  Read the account of Jesus’ healing of ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. According to the passage, what attitude does God desire of you?

VIII. Daniel gave thanks three times a day (see Daniel 6:10). What circumstances made Daniel’s giving of thanks seem unusual?

What can we learn from Daniel’s example?

How does Daniel 6:10 reinforce the teaching of Philippians 4:6?

IX.    First Chronicles 29:10-18 is an excellent example of someone giving thanks to God. In his thanksgiving, what did David recognize?

X.      According to Psalm 92:1-2, Ephesians 5:20, and Colossians 4:2, what role should thanksgiving to God play in our lives?

XI.    Now read chapters 7 and 8 of The Practice of Godliness. Review your answers to questions 1–10 to see if you want to revise any of them. List the most important truths you observe as you read chapters 7 and 8.

XII.   What specific point in either chapter 7 on contentment or in chapter 8 on thankfulness spoke to you most meaningfully? What do you think God wants you to do about this point? Pray about this matter and write down some basic step or action you can take to help you obey God’s prompting.

Source: Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges