SOAR DISCUSSION GUIDE

Finding Joy When Life Is In The Trenches
Ps Chee

Scripture
Read Philippians 1:12-30

Observation
Choose one or more of the following questions:
– Describe the difficulty and hardship Paul was facing. How would you respond if you were in his situation?
– How did Paul respond to his situation? How did he find his joy?
– Paul’s ‘mantra’ for life is described in verse 21, “for to me to live is Christ and to die is gain”. If that was your mantra – how would you live your life? How would that change your outlook on life and your hardships?
– What does it mean to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ (vs 27)? What would that look like for your everyday life?
– What does it mean to ‘suffer for Christ’s sake’ (vs 30)? Is sickness suffering for Christ’s sake?

Application
Ps Chee shared that we can find joy in our trenches when we experience three freedoms that can be observed in Paul:
1. The Freedom to See – the joy of seeing Jesus in hardship
2. The Freedom to Celebrate – the joy of making it all about Jesus
3. The Freedom to Be Used By God – the joy of being used by God in suffering

– Describe a time when you found your life in the trenches.
– How did you deal with it? How did that impact your joy?
– How would the three principles above help you find joy in your trench?

Response
God is able to bring purpose to our pain (vs 12-13). Pray and ask the Lord to show you how He can bring purpose to your pain. Share with one another and pray for one another.

Next Week – please read Philippians 2 in preparation for this Sunday