Rejoice in the Lord!

Small Groups

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer the question, “What is the most peaceful place you have ever been to?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). You may not get through all the questions in your time together. Consider inviting group members to work through any remaining questions on their own throughout the week.

• Read Philippians 4:1-9 aloud. Invite participants to have the scripture in front of them, either in a Bible, on a phone app, or printed on paper. Encourage participants to highlight or write down the word or phrase which stands out to them. Pay attention to themes of peace, praise, and prayer. Share these with the group.
• In Philippians 4:2, Paul names two women, Euodia and Syntyche. It is implied there is a disagreement between them and Paul encourages unity. How do you resolve disagreements in your church community? What would it look like to resolve conflicts with gentleness and the mind of Christ?
• Paul encourages the church to not be anxious about anything but instead turn to prayer. (Philippians 4:6) How do you use prayer when you feel worried or fearful? Do you feel as though you can bring every concern or worry to God in prayer?
• In the midst of conflict and worry, how do you still rejoice and give thanks to God?
• Reread Philippians 4:8. Paul says to praise the things which are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, and commendable. Create a list of things which are true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, and commendable. How can you praise and rejoice in these items this week?

Taking Action

• This week, focus on peace, prayer, and praise.
  • Peace Spend time centering yourself to be at peace. If there are conflicts or disagreements in your life, work to resolve them. Remember to work for unity and be gentle with others.
  • Prayer When you feel as though you are worried or unsure about the world, pray to God. Remember nothing is too great for God.
  • Praise Be sure to give thanks to God each and every day. Create a gratitude list of the items you are grateful for. Turn on your favorite worship songs and remember to give thanks to God.

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests. After each prayer respond: Hear our Prayer.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer.

Peaceful God, we praise you! We rejoice knowing you are present with each of us in the ups and downs of life. You are with us in our disagreements and worries. You are there in our celebrations and elation. You encourage us to press on and continue to be of the same mind of Christ. May we continue to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, and commendable knowing your peace will surrounds us. We praise you and together we pray. Amen.

Rev. Maddi Baugous is an ordained elder in the Great Plains Annual Conference where she serves as University Minister at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska. Maddi is passionate about encouraging young adults in their faith through justice and education.