Week of August 26^th, 2006

Purpose of study: Learn to pray with a joyful and thanksgiving heart.

Intro Q.: Name three things that worry you most.

Read Bible verses: 1 Philippians 4:4-7

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

There are so many things we can and do worry about, but there are also many reasons to rejoice and give thanks.

Q: Read 2 Corinthians 11:24-27. What was it with Paul that he could suffer so much and still urged us to rejoice always as he did? (v.4)

Q: How do you distinguish between gentleness out of joy, peace, and contentment, and timidity or courteous behavior? (v.5)

Q: Recall the answer you gave in the Intro Q., and share if worry helped or worsened your problem.

Q: Share a time you prayed to God in a difficult situation in life. What were you asking? (to remove the difficulty, to be strong to handle it, to have peace,..) What happened to the prayer?

Q: Have you ever given or received a heart-felt “thank you” to or from someone? What difference did that make to the relationship between you two?

Q: God’s peace protects our emotions and thoughts in a way beyond our comprehension. Share how you have experienced God’s peace. (v.7)