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3WHENHAVE YOUWANTEDSOMETHINGSOMEONEELSE HAD?The Key to ContentmentThePOINTTrue contentment comesthrough Christ alone.PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again yourenewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concernedabout me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’tsay this out of need, for I have learned to be content inwhatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know bothhow to make do with little, and I know how to make dowith a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learnedthe secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry,whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do allthings through him who strengthens me. 14 Still, you didwell by partnering with me in my hardship.10with me in the matter of giving and receiving exceptyou alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent giftsfor my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift,but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.18But I have received everything in full, and I have anabundance. I am fully supplied, having received fromEpaphroditus what you provided—a fragrant offering,an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my Godwill supply all your needs according to his riches inglory in Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father beglory forever and ever. Amen.And you Philippians know that in the early days ofthe gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared15Bible Studies for Life 21

THE BIBLE MEETS LIFEFACT:If you ever strugglewith a “season” of life,be thankful change iscoming. In the ArcticCircle, there are onlytwo seasons—summerand winter—and thesun only rises and setsonce per year.1In high school, there are a handful of people who have it all:T hey’re the star athletes.T hey’re the most handsome or beautiful.T hey date the cutest guys or gals.T hey have great clothes and drive nice cars.It may appear as if some people have the perfect life—everybody hastheir own problems and what we see on Instagram is not real life—and wesometimes dream of experiencing what these select few live out every day.If we’re not careful, our longings can turn into a heart of discontentment, andthis is a big problem when it comes to our relationship with God.It’s okay to have goals, to desire growth, and to pursue bigger and betterpossibilities. But ultimately, we’re called to trust God and to be content withwhat He provides. The apostle Paul knew what it was to live a life of highsand lows—to have a lot and to be in need. As situations in his life changed,his contentment did not. In Philippians 4, Paul gave us the “secret” to beingcontent no matter the situation.PHILIPPIANS 4:10-141 What keeps us from experiencing contentment?LEVELS OFBIBLICALLEARNING //CHURCHThe church is acommunity of believerswho are called to meettogether regularly tostudy Scripture, pray,worship, serve andencourage one another,and proclaim the gospelto the world.22 Session 32 Why is God’s strength a necessary ingredient for contentment?THE POINT // TRUE CONTENTMENT COMES THROUGH CHRIST ALONE.

PHILIPPIANS 4:15-183What’s the connection betweencontentment and generosity?4PHILIPPIANS 4:19-206How do you demonstrate trust that Godwill meet your needs?7Describe a time when someone’s generosityoverwhelmed you.What’s the relationship between giving andGod’s glory?58 What truths about God encourage you toHow do you decide when, where, andhow to give?be generous?The secretto Paul’scontentment wasa wholehearteddependenceon God.#BSFLsimplicityBible Studies for Life 23

LIVE IT OUTLEVELS OF BIBLICAL LEARNING // CHURCHThe church is a community of believers who are called to meet togetherregularly to study Scripture, pray, worship, serve and encourage one another,and proclaim the gospel to the world.Many people see church as the place they go to have their needs met—spiritual,emotional, relational, physical, and otherwise. However, it’s much better to seethe church as a family bound together in love, and among whom we’re blessedto use our spiritual gifts in serving others. Contentment comes not in thereceiving, but in using what God gives for His purposes, particularly among ourbrothers and sisters in the church.CHRISTContentment is an expression of our faith. Without faith, we’ll lack contentment—nomatter how much we have. But with real faith, we’ll be content no matter how littlewe have.9 Evaluate your heart for signs of discontentment. Ask yourself:GODJESUSHOLY SPIRITBIBLEAm I trustingin money morethan in Jesus?Do money andpossessions bringme more joythan Jesus?SALVATIONCREATIONCHURCHPEOPLEFAMILY10 What did you discover?11 How does the way you live support your answer?COMMUNITY& WORLD24 Session 3THE POINT // TRUE CONTENTMENT COMES THROUGH CHRIST ALONE.Can I reallysay, “Christ isall I need”?

COMMUNITYWe are called to do good to all people, especially fellow brothers andsisters in Christ (Gal. 6:10). When we’re constantly looking to fill ourlives with more and more stuff, others miss out on what God wouldhave us pass on, because we’re keeping it for ourselves.12When has God used you to practically bless someonethrough your contentment in Christ?13 How will you generously bless someone this week?CULTUREThe world tempts us to continually seek more and more to fill ourlives. However, this is an empty pursuit. When we are content inJesus, our lives stand out against the world’s norm.14 In terms of where you find satisfaction, how does your lifelook different from the world?15 How will you use this difference to pointsomeone to Jesus?Bible Studies for Life 25

DAILYDEVOTIONSThe 7 Arrows ofBible ReadingWhat does thispassage say?What did thispassage mean to itsoriginal audience?2 CORINTHIANS 12:6People can often be prideful, and teens cansometimes be the worst. We think we knoweverything, and at times, we refuse to listen toanyone. But life has a way of humbling us, andyears down the road, most of us will realize momand dad knew what they were talking about.Paul, several years before writing this letter, hadan incredible experience in which he receiveda vision from the Lord. Whereas we oftenboast with no real reason to back it up, Paul’sexperience was a reason to boast, if anyone everhad one. However, Paul refused to flaunt theseexperiences. He knew this may tempt him towardpride. Further, he didn’t want the Corinthianchurch to judge him based on his visions.Instead, Paul wanted them to observe Christ inhim through the ways he lived. When we boastfor no reason, we act as fools. But when we livein humility and obedience to Christ, others—through what they see and hear from us—havethe opportunity to see and hear Jesus. Describe a time you were tempted to boast.What does thispassage tell usabout God?What does thispassage Tell usabout man?What doesthis passagedemand of me?How does thispassage change theway I relate to people?How does thispassage promptme to pray?26 Session 3Day One Why is it better to live well before othersthan to brag about yourself?

Day TwoDay Three2 CORINTHIANS 12:72 CORINTHIANS 12:8Throughout his life and ministry, Paul hadsome incredible experiences, including theserevelations and visions. Because he may havebeen tempted to exalt himself, God gave Paul athorn to protect him from pride. Sometimes, wesee protection only as God’s keeping us fromphysical harm. However, ultimately God desires tokeep us from spiritual harm. Pride is very harmfuland keeps us from living a life that pleases God.Therefore, even a difficult situation was a gift thathelped Paul remain humble. When we experiencedifficulties in life, instead of becoming angry orbitter, it’s important that we ask what it is Godmay desire to teach us through hardships? Describe a difficulty you recentlyexperienced. How did you respond? When has God used hardship in your life tohelp you mature spiritually?When Jesus modeled for us how we’re topray, He taught us to praise God, to seek afterkingdom realities, and to ask for forgiveness(Matt. 6:9-13). He also taught us to expressour dependence upon God for provision andprotection, so when Paul asked God to bedelivered from this thorn, He was followingexactly what Jesus had modeled. When wepray and get what we’ve asked for, we oftenthink God has answered. However, when wedon’t receive what we’ve requested, we maybe tempted to think God isn’t listening orthat our prayers are meaningless. However,this simply isn’t the case. When Paul askedfor his suffering to end, though it was wellwithin God’s power to provide exactly whatPaul asked for, God knew it wasn’t in Paul’sbest interest. God has promised good thingsfor His children, and even though it may notbe exactly what we want in the moment, Hispurposes are always best. When have you felt like God wasn’tlistening to your prayers? How can we know that God is workingeverything for our good?Bible Studies for Life 27

Day Four2 CORINTHIANS 12:9God’s response to Paul’s request may havebeen difficult to hear. However, because Paulwas committed to God’s purposes above allelse, He gladly accepted God’s answer. If Paulhad received what he wanted, he may havebeen able to live by his own power. Then,Paul would have received the glory. But if Paulwas weak and afflicted and powerful thingshappened through him anyway, no one wouldmistakenly attribute the differences made toPaul. This gave him the perfect opportunityto point people to Jesus. As Paul came tounderstand this, he wasn’t disappointed orupset, angry or bitter. Instead, though it costhim a certain amount of peace and comfort(at least, in an earthly sense), he gladly paidthis price that God would be glorified throughhim. Following Christ means surrendering ourlives to Him to be used for His purposes, andit’s an honor to be used by Him, even when weface difficult things. When has God used a weakness in yourlife to bring glory to Himself? How will you point someone to thestrength of Jesus this week?28 Session 3Day Five2 CORINTHIANS 12:10We don’t naturally associate suffering withboasting or pleasure. However, this is exactlyPaul’s reaction to the weaknesses, insults,hardships, persecutions, and difficulties heexperienced. Because he understood clearlythat God would use these experiences to bringhonor to Christ, Paul was perfectly content to gothrough these things. In our culture, we want tohave the best and be the best. We often desire alife of comfort. However, following Christ meansloving God and valuing His purposes above allelse. When we do, we’ll find we’re fully content,no matter our circumstances. In all honestly, what does it take to makeyou happy? How will you choose to cultivatecontentment in your life, no matterthe circumstances?

honor to Christ, Paul was perfectly content to go through these things. In our culture, we want to have the best and be the best. We often desire a life of comfort. However, following Christ means loving God and valuing His purposes above all else. When we do, we’