Philippians 4:8-9

1. Read Philippians 4:8–9. Out of the eight things Paul lists in verse 4:8, which are currently most absent from your thoughts? Explain.

2. What specific situations or thoughts have been causing you to feel anxious lately? Try to name them clearly—whether it’s about the future, work, relationships, finances, health, or something else.

3. In Philippians 4:6, Paul says, “... do not be anxious about anything.” Then he promises in Philippians 4:7 that the peace of God will guard your minds. In Philippians 4:8, Paul instructs us to turn from anxious thoughts and fill our minds with thoughts centering on eight graces of God. Then he promises in Philippians 4:9 that the God of peace will be with us. In light of whatever is making you feel anxious today, spend some time talking through and thinking deeply about each of the eight graces in Philippians 4:8.

• What are your current anxieties? What truths do you need to remember today in light of those anxieties?
• What are some things that reflect the weight and honor of King Jesus?
• Think about and discuss times when you’ve seen God’s justice or righteousness in action—maybe in a story from the Bible, someone standing up for what’s right, or even a moment from your own life.
• Purity shows up in what is clean, holy, and untainted by sin. What are some things you can think of that reflect the purity of God
• Where do you see or feel God’s beauty most clearly? Maybe it’s in nature, in art, or in simple, everyday beautiful things.
• What actions and virtues does God deem worthy of our imitation, and how have you seen those displayed? Talk about things that are commendable.‍
• Where do you see excellence woven into creation?
• What are some things that are rightly worthy of praise?

4. Spend some time in prayer together. Thank God for His many graces in our lives, and ask for daily help in replacing our anxious thoughts with prayerful trust.