OUTLINE
I. SINFUL DISCONTENTMENT IS A COMMON DISGRACE
II. CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT IS A RARE JEWEL (v.11c)
III. CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT IS A DIVINE ART TO BE LEARNED (v.11b-12)
IV. THE SECRET TO LEARNING AND PRACTICING CHRISTIAN CONTENTMENT: GET STRENGTH FROM CHRIST (v.13)
DISCUSSION
1. Read verse 10. Why did Paul “[rejoice] in the Lord greatly”? What exactly is he referring to?
2. In verse 11, what is Paul quick to clarify? What does it mean “to be content”? Are you content in whatever situation? How can you grow in Christian contentment?
3. Read verse 12. What does Paul know how to do? What do each of these mean? What is he getting at?
4. According to verse 13, what is “the secret of facing” all the things mentioned in verse 12? What exactly does Paul mean? What does he not mean?