I Just Want To Be Happy: Happiness in Disguise

Announcement: Summer Break

Thanks for being so faithful as a disciple and leader to others in our church. The scripture we cover this week reminds me that you are described as a Paul, Timothy and Epaphroditus – consistently serving God and genuinely caring about others.

As summer approaches, we (church leadership) would like to offer you to take a break from your regular weekly rGroup meetings. Attendance can be very inconsistent during the summer, and we would like to offer you some valuable time to be re-energized as a leader.

This is not mandatory. You are welcome to continue your regular schedule throughout the summer if you wish. In fact, you may grow in numbers if you continue since other groups may not be available for others.

If you do decide to take a summer break, I highly encourage you to do 2 or 3 social activities as a community in order to stay in touch and use the time to build relationships. Don't limit these to only a few people in the group, but make sure everyone in your rGroup is invited.

The summer break will be consistent with the Forsyth County Schools summer break – beginning the week of June 11, and starting up again on the week of August 27.

If you have any questions, please email me at stephenlockwood123@gmail.com. Thanks!

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Intro:

Here are some quotes you may have heard before:

"Teamwork makes the dream work."

"Teamwork is the beauty of our sport, where you have five acting as one. You become selfless." - Coach K (Duke Basketball)

"If selfishness is the key to being miserable, then selflessness must be the key to being happy." - Joyce Meyer

"I think a role model is a mentor – someone you see on a daily basis, and you learn from them." - Denzel Washington

Why are these statements so true?


In the New Testament, there is a constant emphasis on imitating other Godly Christians (1 Cor. 11:1; Titus 2:2–4). In Philippians 2:19–30, we are instructed to emulate those who are interested in the well-being of others, and those who have proved themselves faithful through hardship.

Read Philippians 2:19–30


Bible Discussion:

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1 "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." Do you have a model or mentor in the Christian life that is showing you what it looks like to follow Christ in everyday life?

Who in your life has been there for you through thick and thin – like Timothy was there for Paul?

Who have you been able to mentor and invest in like Paul did with Timothy?

Who has invested in you? How does that affect how you see your responsibility as a follower of Jesus?

Paul is pretty blunt (throws some shade) in verse 21. What does Paul mean in verse 21, and why is this so unfortunately true?

Timothy is concerned with the well-being of the Philippians (2:19–24). What are ways in which you show concern for others in the church?

Who has been a co-worker to you in ministry? How have you served together?

What qualities make Epaphroditus so special to Paul?

Epaphroditus is characterized by deep empathy and compassion (2:25–30). What does it mean to have empathy and compassion? How do these characteristics build up community?


Move Forward:

If you depend on your own strength to grow and transform, confess this to God. Ask him to show you the right balance between opening yourself to his work and depending on him to do the work.

Thank God for the people who have invested in you over the years. Ask God to show you who you can invest in.

Keep a journal of blessings and things you're grateful for. At the end of each day, thank God for working in your life to allow these blessings. Give God the credit.