Bible Study: January 28, 2026

Prayer

Since last week, has God answered any of our prayers? Let us know! Or, share something great that's happened in the last week. Then, let’s focus on our present prayer requests: What's on your mind or heart that we can pray for concerning you or someone you love?

Praise

Rejoice in the Lord Always

Rejoice in the Lord always;

And again I say, rejoice.

Rejoice in the Lord always;

And again I say, rejoice.

Rejoice, rejoice,

And again I say, rejoice.

Rejoice, rejoice,

And again I say, rejoice.

Poem

Be Anxious for Nothing by Lucy Wall (c.2020, Pandemic)

Be anxious for nothing and do not despair,

Counter your fear with the power of prayer

Come to His Throne for there you will find

His wonderful peace that will guard heart and mind.

Enter His Courts and humbly recall,

You now stand in front of the Maker of all

Boldly approach Him and come with the view

To give Him the honour and praise He is due

Reflect on His glory and all He has done,

Extol and exalt Him as God’s only Son

The One who defeated the strength of the grave

Your risen Redeemer is mighty to save

Acknowledge your weakness and need for His strength

And know that His power can go any length

Bring your requests and present them with reverence,

Commune with your God and rest in His presence.

Although it is easy to fret over things,

Better to rest in the King of all kings

His peace is a gift that will never depart

For true peace of mind comes from peace in the heart.

So lift your head high, sing praise and applaud,

Stand strong in His Truth and the Armour of God

Give all your thanks to the King you adore,

For how He has faithfully helped you before

He’s proved Himself worthy so trust Him again

Our precious Redeemer, your Saviour and Friend.

Be anxious for nothing, take rest in your soul.

Be anxious for nothing! Your God’s in control

Passage: Philippians 4:1-9

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

² I plead with Eu-o-dia and I plead with Syn-ty-he to be of the same mind in the Lord. ³ Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Final Exhortations

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Ponder

1.      What line from the song or verse from the passage warmly resonates with you—and why do you think it does?

2.      Paul calls the Philippians to "stand firm in the Lord." What do you think it means to “stand firm” in your faith today, and how can a person do that in a practical, inviting way?  

3.      Paul writes to the Philippians and calls them a "joy and crown"? But Paul is also writing this. So with that in mind, is there a more modern book you’ve read (outside of the Bible, please) that has helped you personally to stand firm in your faith (or that makes you feel like “a joy and crown” as well) when you need to hear that the most? What was the book, and how did it help you?

3.      Paul is clearly looking for his reader to rejoice. Hard. So here's the question: how does a ‘rejoicing mindset’ change your priorities or views of challenges?

4.      As citizens of heaven (per last week) Paul also encourages us to "Let your gentleness be evident to all." What does that mean for you in practice, and how can such a resolve provide direction for us daily?

5.      Paul acknowledges anxiety’s reality here, but he also guides against staying in anxiety, urging prayer (v.6). What do you think prayer in an anxious time looks like? And/or how do you think that prayer can help?

6.       Paul says in verse 6, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Easy to say, but hard to do at times. How have you personally moved your mindset in hard times from anxiety to the things above? What’s worked for you that you can share that may help others here in the room?

Purposeful Prayer: Let's close by turning our reflections into prayer.

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