Adaptable Meeting Guide #4: Philippians 4

OBSTACLE COURSE

15 minutes

Split your group into two teams, and create a relatively simple obstacle course for each of them. Then blindfold both teams, except one person on one team who becomes the ‘eyes’ for their team and is allowed to verbally guide them through their obstacles. You will be left with one team who are negotiating the obstacle course blindfolded with no help, and one team who are receiving instructions. Ensure in your setting up of the course that no one is going to get hurt whilst doing it blindfolded. The winning team is the one who most successfully and quickly makes its way through the obstacle course.

Afterwards, discuss how fair (or unfair) the challenge was, the wisdom of listening to and following the instructions given and how much easier it made things for that team.

READ THE INSTRUCTIONS

10 minutes

At the end of his letter to the Philippians, Paul offers them some good advice. Read Philippians 4:4-7 together. You could have it printed out on large sheets of paper so the young people can write on and around the passage. Discuss the following questions together:

• How many different specific instructions or pieces of advice can you find?
• Paul says we are to “rejoice…always!” Does that mean Christians should always be walking round with big silly grins on our face? What are we to rejoice in? How and why then should we rejoice?
• What promises are offered in these verses?

WE’RE A BIT SPONGY

10 minutes

Fill one of your bowls with clear, clean water, and the other with whatever yucky stuff you want to (beans, custard, cola, muddy water or a mixture of all of the above!). Dip and absorb the water with one sponge and then squeeze it back out into the bowl. Do the same with the second sponge in the yucky concoction. Explain that we can be like the sponges. The things that we see, read, watch and listen to will very likely influence the things that we say, do and think, and the way we talk to and about others. Like the sponges, the things we absorb are likely to be the things that come back out of us. Discuss together some of the things around us that might negatively affect the things that we say, do and think. Read Philippians 4:8 together and discuss:

• What are some of the things you think Paul is talking about (lovely, praiseworthy, noble)?
• Thinking about the sponges, why do you think he says this?
• How can you as a group help each other to think about the kinds of things Paul is talking about? How can you help each other avoid some of the things that might negatively affect us?

TRUE CONTENTMENT

10 minutes

Discuss as a group:

• What does the world say true contentment looks like?
• What do we think contentment means?

Say: Paul is in prison in Rome as he writes this letter to the Philippians. He has been beaten, falsely accused and shipwrecked. His circumstances are not what we would consider comfortable or easy. And yet… read Philippians 4:10-13 and discuss together:

• Where does Paul find his peace? His joy? His contentment? His strength (v.13)?
• How can we know that same contentment?

RESPONSE

10 minutes

Download and print a copy of the ‘doodle page’ for each member of the group. Have some music playing and offer them time and space on their own to write down words or prayers on the sheet. Encourage them to bring the things they are anxious about to God. Close in prayer to finish.

Sas Cutting is a former youth worker and now a full time mum.

Andy Mcconville is youth development coordinator at St Michaels, Chester.