Lesson Eleven: Think On These Things

For 2019, our theme is “Take it Home”. The last Wednesday of every month we cancel service and encourage every family to have a Family Bible Study night. Here’s the Bible study we provide for each family.

FOCUS VERSE

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

BEGINNING TOPIC

  • In the year 1952, Norman Vincent Peale published a book called “The Power of Positive Thinking”. This book would sit on the New York Times’ best-sellers list for 186 weeks, 48 of those in the number 1 spot. The premise of the book was to think positive in every situation, and by doing so, you could change the situation. Although unconventional, the many testimonials in the book seemed to support the thesis.

  • Although we may not support all the ideas put forth in his book, it does seem that Norman Vincent Peale had tapped into an idea that is Biblical. What you allow your mind to think about influences everything around you.

HISTORICAL SETTING

  • When the Philippians learned of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, they sent a monetary gift to him at the hands of Epaphroditus, a member of the church at Philippi (4:18). Epaphroditus was to remain in Rome to minister to Paul for an unspecified time. However, in his ministering to Paul, Epaphroditus became ill and almost died (2:26, 27). The Philippians were distressed when they heard of his sickness, and Epaphroditus in turn grieved over their distress for him. As you can imagine, this became quite a burden for Paul, who was still imprisoned by the Roman guard. Paul sent Epaphroditus home prematurely with Paul’s letter of thanks in hand.

  • It’s possible that Epaphroditus’ illness was exactly Paul’s reason for writing Philippians 4:6-8. “Be careful for nothing” means “don’t worry about anything.” This is not implying that you should dismiss legitimate concerns and ignore them. To the contrary! Paul explains that we should take those concerns to prayer. The answer to undue anxiety is prayer mixed with thanksgiving. Prayer can change the situation; thanksgiving can change us.

  • The peace of God, in verse 7, is that tranquility of mind freeing the believer from fear and worry. It passes all understanding, because it’s impossible to understand how someone can have peace in the middle of hardship. “Shall keep” means “shall guard”. In other words, the peace of God shall guard your hearts and minds from anxiety.

  • The word “finally” in verse 8 could be rendered “in this connection,” since verses 6-9 are related: verse 6 and 7 tell how to obtain God’s peace; verse 8 and 9 tell how to keep it. In order to retain the peace of God in our hearts and minds, we must “think on these things”. Here is the incomplete list that Paul gives of positive things to think about:

    • True: true (as not concealing):–true, truly, truth. Honest: venerable, honorable. Just: righteous, observing divine laws. In a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God. Pure: exciting reverence, venerable, sacred. Pure from carnality, chaste, modest. Clean. Lovely: Acceptable, pleasing. Friendly towards, acceptable. Good report: well spoken of, reputable – of good report. Virtue: moral goodness. Any particular moral excellence, as modesty, purity. Praise: laudation; concretely, a commendable thing.

VERSES TO CONSIDER

  • You’ve heard the term, “You are what you eat.” Well the Bible tells us that we are what we THINK. (Proverbs 23:7)

  • We must cast out every thought that exalts itself above God and His word. (2 Corinthians 10:5)

CONCLUSION

  • I’m not sure if positive thoughts are powerful, but I know that controlling our thoughts can have a powerful affect on how we perceive our hardships.

Aaron MeehanComment