Philippians 4:13 (NIV) I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
- Look at the context of this verse. What does “all this” refer to?
- In context, Paul is talking about contentment. This verse could be paraphrased, “I can live contentedly through Christ who gives me strength.” What progress have you made in living contentedly?
- How important is contentment? Is it nice-to-have, or must-have?
- What do you know about Paul’s circumstances as he wrote? How does this inform our understanding of this verse?
- What other things can we do through Christ who gives us strength?
- What bad things happen if we forget that it is through Christ who gives us strength? What bad things happen if we imagine we can do Christian living in our own strength?
- What about the opposite error—what bad things happen if we don’t have the confidence that we can live the abundant Christian life (John 10.10) —even with Christ strengthening us?
- Which do you think is the bigger problem… trying to do Christian living on my own? Or, is it lacking the confidence that abundant Christian living is possible?
- How might our lives be different if we really deeply believed that we can do all this through Him who gives us strength?
- William Carey famously said, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God.” Do you think this is a biblical attitude?
- What would you attempt for God—in the power of the Holy Spirit—if you knew you couldn’t fail?
- How can we grow in faith that we can do all this through Christ who strengthens us?
- How can we pray for each other?
