This summer, we are focusing on liturgies.
Not in a formal way, but in the everyday patterns already shaping us. Because liturgy is simply what we practice, and over time, those practices reveal what we love and who we are becoming.
As we walk through Philippians in our series, You Are What You Love, we’re choosing to be intentional about what is forming us. The patterns, rhythms and habits that shape us.
At the beginning of Philippians, Paul prays that we would be filled with the fruit of righteousness (Philippians 1:9–11). It’s the same word Paul uses for the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23.
And fruit is the evidence of a life being formed by Jesus.
Each week we will focus on one of these fruits and include four simple rhythms designed to help the fruit of the Spirit take root in everyday life.
If you have…
1 MINUTE
Breath Prayer
5 MINUTES
Short Liturgy
10 MINUTES
Walk & Reflection Questions
30 MINUTES OR MORE
Read the series resource, “You Are What You Love.”
These practices are not meant to add more to your plate, but to help you notice God in the rhythms you’re already living, and to welcome Him into them.
Week One: Love
Sermon: A Father’s Joy
Primary Text: Philippians 1:1–11
Supporting Verses: Philippians 1:9–10
Love is not just something we feel. It is something that shapes the direction of our lives. In Philippians, Paul prays that our love would grow in depth and discernment, forming how we see and respond to the world around us. This week, these practices invite us to notice what we are loving most, and to realign our lives around the love of Christ.
Breath Prayer Instructions:
Choose a comfortable place to sit and be still.
Slow your breathing.
Pray the first part as you inhale.
Pray the second part as you exhale.
Repeat for a few moments.
Let your body settle.
Let your mind grow quiet.
Simply be present with God.
Inhale: Let my love abound,
Exhale: More and more in You.
(Philippians 1:9)
Good and gracious God,
We love because you first loved us.
Help me remember that Your love is patient, it is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
It does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Help me remember that Your love never fails.
Even though my love falters,
Yours does not.
Your love went to the cross,
entered the grave,
and rose in victory.
It defeated sin.
Overcame death.
Your love never fails.
Because I have been loved like this,
I cannot stay the same.
Let Your love move through me –
in how I see, speak, and serve others.
Let my love be sincere, discerning, patient and compassionate.
Help me remember to meet others in their story of heartache, hurt, and healing.
Help me extend small mercies, sharing your grace with all.
Use my love to draw their hearts near to You.
And because Your love is better than life,
Use my mouth, hands and heart to glorify You.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in Your name I will lift up my hands.
(Inspired by Psalm 62, 1 Corinthians 13, and Serving Others from Every Holy Moment Vol I)
Practice presence with God on a 10 minute walk.
Notice His creation.
Talk with Him about what you see and feel.
As you walk, think about love in three ways: with God, in you, and through you.
- How we love God,
- how we receive His love,
- and how that love flows out to others.
With God
Where in my life is my love for God growing… and where has it grown distant or distracted?
In me
Do I truly believe I am loved by God—right now, as I am—or am I still trying to earn it?
Through me
Who is God inviting me to love more intentionally—and what would it look like to take one step toward them this week?
A Question/Questions for the Family:
How can we creatively show God’s love to each other in our family this week (outside of physical affection)? How can we show God’s love to one person outside of our family this week? A neighbor, friend from school or church?
Have 30 minutes or more? Spend some time reading one chapter of You Are What You Love then reflect on the following questions:
- What did this reveal about what I’m currently loving or prioritizing?
- Where do I see a gap between what I say I value and how I’m actually living?
- What habits or rhythms are shaping me right now?
- What is one area of my life that feels out of alignment?
- What might God be inviting me to notice or change?
- What is one habit that is forming me in a way I don’t want?
Week Two: Joy
Sermon: Chains Can’t Stop Faith
Primary Text: Philippians 1:12–26
Supporting Verses: Philippians 1:18; 2:17–18; 4:4
Joy can feel fragile. Easily disrupted by what is hard, uncertain, or disappointing. But in Philippians, Paul shows us a joy that is not dependent on circumstances. A joy that remains, even in difficulty, because it is rooted in Christ. This week, these practices invite us to notice what is shaping our joy, and to find a deeper, steadier joy in Him.
Breath Prayer Instructions:
Choose a comfortable place to sit and be still.
Slow your breathing.
Pray the first part as you inhale.
Pray the second part as you exhale.
Repeat for a few moments.
Let your body settle.
Let your mind grow quiet.
Simply be present with God.
Inhale: In whatever circumstance
Exhale: My joy remains in Christ
(Philippians 1:18)
Jesus, who rejoices over us,
Joy is a gift from You.
Not something I can create,
but something I receive.
Teach me to hold both:
the weight of what is hard,
the reality of sadness and suffering,
and still, somehow, joy.
Not denying what is broken,
but trusting that You are still good within it.
Form in me a resilient joy –
one that trusts You when I don’t understand.
Let me see joy in all that is good and beautiful,
knowing they are glimpses of Your kingdom breaking through.
Remind me that Your joy is not distant.
You delight in Your people.
You rejoice over Your creation.
And for the joy set before You,
You endured the cross.
So let that same joy take root in me.
In You, my joy expands and abounds.
In You, my soul is nurtured.
In You, I am held steady.
Turn my joy to gratitude.
And when joy feels far away,
Or when the feeling fades,
help me hold onto it with grace and trust,
anchored not in emotion, not in circumstance,
but in the assurance of who You are.
Use my joy for good.
Let it overflow in abundance,
bringing light, bringing hope,
pointing others back to You.
Let my soul rejoice.
In You,
my joy remains.
Amen.
(Inspired by Zephaniah 3, Hebrews 12, Genesis 1, and Happy in Feel: A Collection of Liturgies Offering Hope for Every Complication Emotion by Anjuli Paschall)
Practice presence with God on a 10 minute walk.
Notice His creation.
Talk with Him about what you see and feel.
As you walk, think about God’s joy, your joy, and the joy of others.
With God
Where do I struggle to believe that God delights in me, and what might He want to say to me there?
In me
What is stealing or numbing my joy right now?
Through me
How could God use my joy—even in difficulty—to bring hope to someone else?
A Question/Questions for the Family:
How can we celebrate each other’s joy as a family? How can we celebrate daily joys and bigger milestone joys?
Have 30 minutes or more? Spend some time reading one chapter of You Are What You Love then reflect on the following questions:
- What did this reveal about what I’m currently loving or prioritizing?
- Where do I see a gap between what I say I value and how I’m actually living?
- What habits or rhythms are shaping me right now?
- What is one area of my life that feels out of alignment?
- What might God be inviting me to notice or change?
- What is one habit that is forming me in a way I don’t want?
Week Three: Faithfulness
Sermon: A Life Worth Imitating
Primary Text: Philippians 1:27–30
Supporting Verses: Philippians 1:27
Faithfulness is not something we build overnight. It is formed slowly, through the choices we make again and again. In Philippians, Paul calls us to live lives that reflect the gospel. Not just in big moments, but in the steady, everyday ones. This week, these practices invite us to stay present, stay consistent, and take one faithful step forward.
Breath Prayer Instructions:
Choose a comfortable place to sit and be still.
Slow your breathing.
Pray the first part as you inhale.
Pray the second part as you exhale.
Repeat for a few moments.
Let your body settle.
Let your mind grow quiet.
Simply be present with God.
Inhale: I will stand firm
Exhale: And be faithful to the gospel
(Phillipians 1:27)
Faithful Father,
You call us to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Not just in what is seen,
but in the quiet, unseen places of our lives.
Form in us a faith that is steady,
that stands firm in Your Spirit,
unshaken by fear.
Let love and faithfulness never leave us.
Bind them around our necks,
write them on the tablet of our hearts –
that they would shape who we are,
and how we live.
Teach us that this life with You
is not built on the big moments,
but in the faithful, everyday ones.
In the choices no one else sees.
In the words we speak.
In the way we love, serve, and remain.
Let our devotion to You
reflect Your devotion to us.
You promise to be steadfast,
With love and mercies that are never ending,
New every morning.
Great is Your faithfulness.
So, when our hearts wander,
as they are prone to do,
gently guide us back to Your truth.
Refocus us again on what matters most.
Not perfection.
Not performance.
But progress.
And faithfulness.
Help us to take our next step toward You – just one.
And then the next,
and the next.
Help us help others take their next steps toward you.
Help us be devoted, committed, loyal, and loving in our relationships.
Form in us a life
that reflects the beauty of the gospel –
steady, faithful, and full of grace.
We stand firm in You.
Amen.
(Inspired by Phillipians 1, Proverbs 3, Lamentations 3, and God’s Love is Steadfast from Breath as Prayer by Jennifer Tucker)
Practice presence with God on a 10 minute walk.
Notice His creation.
Talk with Him about what you see and feel.
As you walk, think about God’s faithfulness, your faithfulness, and the faithfulness of others.
With God
Where have I seen God’s faithfulness in my life, and where am I struggling to trust that He will remain faithful?
In me
Where is God inviting me to be steady and consistent—not in big moments, but in the small, everyday choices I often overlook?
Through me
Who is God calling me to show up for with faithful presence, and what would one next step of consistency look like this week?
A Question/Questions for the Family:
Where have we seen God show up for our family before, and how can remembering that help us trust Him more this week?
Have 30 minutes or more? Spend some time reading one chapter of You Are What You Love then reflect on the following questions:
- What did this reveal about what I’m currently loving or prioritizing?
- Where do I see a gap between what I say I value and how I’m actually living?
- What habits or rhythms are shaping me right now?
- What is one area of my life that feels out of alignment?
- What might God be inviting me to notice or change?
- What is one habit that is forming me in a way I don’t want?
Week Four: Gentleness
Sermon: The Way Down
Primary Text: Philippians 2:1–11
Supporting Verses: Philippians 2:3–5; 4:5
Gentleness can be easy to overlook. It doesn’t draw attention to itself. It often feels quiet and unseen. But in Philippians, we see Jesus choose humility and selflessness. A strength that is not forceful, but steady and surrendered. This week, these practices invite us to slow down, release harshness, and reflect the gentle heart of Christ.
Breath Prayer Instructions:
Choose a comfortable place to sit and be still.
Slow your breathing.
Pray the first part as you inhale.
Pray the second part as you exhale.
Repeat for a few moments.
Let your body settle.
Let your mind grow quiet.
Simply be present with God.
Inhale: Slow my heart, O Lord,
Exhale: Let gentleness lead my steps.
Humble King,
You laid aside all of heaven –
To pursue Your people.
To fulfill prophecies of old.
To deliver redemption.
To establish a Kingdom that will never fade away.
Taking on a mantle of humility,
Your posture was always servitude.
In tenderness, You sought us out.
Running to lost sheep, You are the Good Shepherd.
Display Your meekness in us.
Steward our strength to protect not to harm.
Calm our hearts in times of conflict.
Make us steady when chaos echoes around us.
Remove all harshness that misrepresents You.
Help us to abstain from conforming to the ways of the world.
You are the Prince of Peace.
May we be ambassadors of that peace.
Bringing life with our words and my actions
Pride is destructive.
Keep us far from it.
Remind us of our identity in You.
Let it lead us to interact with gentleness
as we have nothing to prove.
Slow down our response
that we might foster reconciliation,
rather than retaliation.
As we consider those around us,
we pray that You would cultivate gentleness in us.
Amen.
Practice presence with God on a 10 minute walk.
Notice His creation.
Talk with Him about what you see and feel.
As you walk, think about God’s gentleness, your gentleness, and the gentleness of others.
With God
Where do I need to trust that God’s way of growing me is steady and caring, not rushed or harsh?
In me
Where do I notice myself becoming frustrated, reactive, or easily irritated?
Through me
Where could listening more carefully help someone feel understood?
A Question/Questions for the Family:
What would it look like for our family to make home feel like a safe place to try, fail, learn, and grow?
Have 30 minutes or more? Spend some time reading one chapter of You Are What You Love then reflect on the following questions:
- What did this reveal about what I’m currently loving or prioritizing?
- Where do I see a gap between what I say I value and how I’m actually living?
- What habits or rhythms are shaping me right now?
- What is one area of my life that feels out of alignment?
- What might God be inviting me to notice or change?
- What is one habit that is forming me in a way I don’t want?
Week Five: Self-Control
Sermon: Training the Heart
Primary Text: Philippians 2:12–18
Supporting Verses: Philippians 2:12–14
Self-control is not about restriction. It is about being shaped by what matters most. Left on our own, we tend to follow whatever feels easiest in the moment. But in Philippians, we are reminded that God is at work in us, forming new desires and new patterns. This week, these practices invite us to notice what is shaping our habits, and to begin aligning our choices with the life God is leading us into.
Breath Prayer Instructions:
Choose a comfortable place to sit and be still.
Slow your breathing.
Pray the first part as you inhale.
Pray the second part as you exhale.
Repeat for a few moments.
Let your body settle.
Let your mind grow quiet.
Simply be present with God.
Inhale: Align my desires with Yours
Exhale: Help me choose what is right.
Refiner of My Soul,
You embrace me with Your presence.
Always before me.
Always behind me.
Always with me.
When my heart wanders, You call me back.
When my fear questions, You reassure me You are good.
When my desires stray, You realign my soul.
When the temptations of the world entice me,
You remind me that You satisfy.
Direct my longings for You and Your kingdom.
May my convictions outweigh my craving.
For superficial power.
For frivolous freedom.
For instant gratification.
Reshape what my heart pursues
You formed and are forming me.
A process of refining.
Enable me to surrender to the work that You are doing in me.
May I exercise dominion over my sinful impulses.
Keep me from short-sighted negativity.
With gratitude on my lips, mold my mind to recognize beauty.
Let my eyes look with grace, rather than contempt.
Forgive my idolatry of control.
Focused on the criticizing the actions of others,
I forget to seek my own sanctification.
This is a work of perseverance.
Give me patience, as I work out this salvation with fear and trembling.
Instill in me a holy control of self, that I might direct myself to Your glory, rather than my own.
Amen.
Practice presence with God on a 10 minute walk.
Notice His creation.
Talk with Him about what you see and feel.
As you walk, think about God’s self-control, your self-control, and the self-control of others.
With God
Where might God be inviting me to trust His timing instead of trying to control outcomes myself?
In me
Where do I feel pulled to react quickly instead of responding wisely?
Through me
Where could my restraint help protect a relationship?
A Question/Questions for the Family:
Where is it hardest for us to practice self-control right now — screens, words, attitudes, schedules, or reactions?
Have 30 minutes or more? Spend some time reading one chapter of You Are What You Love then reflect on the following questions:
- What did this reveal about what I’m currently loving or prioritizing?
- Where do I see a gap between what I say I value and how I’m actually living?
- What habits or rhythms are shaping me right now?
- What is one area of my life that feels out of alignment?
- What might God be inviting me to notice or change?
- What is one habit that is forming me in a way I don’t want?
Week Six: Kindness
July 4th Weekend Prayer and Communion
Kindness is more than being polite or thoughtful. In Scripture, kindness moves toward restoration, generosity, repentance, and the good of others.
This week, these practices invite us to lift our eyes beyond what is temporary and become people who build with compassion, invest in what is eternal, and live with future generations in mind.
Breath Prayer Instructions:
Choose a comfortable place to sit and be still.
Slow your breathing.
Pray the first part as you inhale.
Pray the second part as you exhale.
Repeat for a few moments.
Let your body settle.
Let your mind grow quiet.
Simply be present with God.
Inhale: Fill my heart with mercy
Exhale: Let kindness flow through me.
God of Mercy,
Your kindness has been evident since the dawn of humanity.
Provision for our first parents.
Deliverance for exiles in captivity.
Rescue in a world ravaged by sin.
Care for the marginalized and outcasts.
Favor lavished on the ordinary among us.
Promises embodied in the Messiah.
It is Your abundant kindness that draws our hearts back to You.
Our repentance is the outgrowth of Your posture toward us.
Open our eyes to those who go unnoticed.
The downtrodden and disparaged.
Burden us with awareness of those who need a glimpse of Your kindness.
May we reject the indifference of the world, affirming that every human reflects the glory of our Creator.
In our day to day, let us live with the intention to care for others more than ourselves.
Consistently finding opportunities to demonstrate the kindness that we have been afforded.
Counting the cost, may we sacrifice generously to care well.
Shape our voices to be encouraging and uplifting.
Reminding those around us that good is ahead despite our circumstances.
Our interactions have eternal implications.
May we steward them well – displaying a visible and active faith that is concerned for the wellbeing of others.
Recognized by our kindness, establish Your church as a light in the darkness.
Amen.
Practice presence with God on a 10 minute walk.
Notice His creation.
Talk with Him about what you see and feel.
As you walk, think about God’s kindness, your kindness, and the kindness of others.
With God
Where have I experienced God’s kindness in ways I didn’t expect?
In me
Where might kindness begin with the way I speak to myself?
Through me
Where could the generosity of words change the direction of someone’s day?
A Question/Questions for the Family:
Who could our family show kindness to this week — someone at school, work, church, or in our neighborhood?
Have 30 minutes or more? Spend some time reading one chapter of You Are What You Love then reflect on the following questions:
- What did this reveal about what I’m currently loving or prioritizing?
- Where do I see a gap between what I say I value and how I’m actually living?
- What habits or rhythms are shaping me right now?
- What is one area of my life that feels out of alignment?
- What might God be inviting me to notice or change?
- What is one habit that is forming me in a way I don’t want?
Week Seven: Goodness
Sermon: Letting Go
Primary Text: Philippians 3:1–11
Supporting Verses: Philippians 3:7–9
True goodness is not something we achieve. It grows in us as we trust Jesus more than we trust ourselves. In Philippians, Paul shows us that what he once trusted in no longer holds weight compared to knowing Christ. This week, these practices invite us to loosen our grip and learn to trust Jesus more deeply, because He is the true source of goodness.
Breath Prayer Instructions:
Choose a comfortable place to sit and be still.
Slow your breathing.
Pray the first part as you inhale.
Pray the second part as you exhale.
Repeat for a few moments.
Let your body settle.
Let your mind grow quiet.
Simply be present with God.
Inhale: Jesus, You are enough.
Exhale: I let go and trust You.
Jesus,
I open my heart to You.
I often believe goodness comes from what I do.
From getting it right.
From proving myself.
But You gently point me somewhere better.
What I once counted as gain,
what I have trusted in,
what I have built my identity on,
does not compare to knowing You.
You are better.
And still, I quickly drift back to striving,
to self-sufficiency,
to relying on myself.
I find myself trusting
in a goodness of my own.
But I don’t need
a goodness I can manufacture.
I don’t need
a righteousness of my own.
In You, I am already received.
In You, I am already secure.
So teach me to stay close.
I pause and notice
what I’ve been holding onto.
The pressure.
The expectations.
The things I’ve quietly trusted in.
I bring those to You now.
To be found in You,
not in what I do.
To trust what You have done,
more than what I can do.
Grow in me a true goodness
that comes from You alone.
A goodness that isn’t achieved,
but formed.
A goodness that grows
as I know You more.
You have set me free
from having to prove myself.
So I receive that freedom.
I choose to live in that freedom.
I remember who I am in You.
Known.
Loved.
Secure.
Jesus,
You are better than anything I could gain.
May I be found in You.
Amen.
Practice presence with God on a 10 minute walk.
Notice His creation.
Talk with Him about what you see and feel.
As you walk, think about God’s goodness, your goodness, and the goodness of others.
With God
Where might God be inviting me to believe that He is still working for good, even when things feel uncertain?
In me
Where do I sense a quiet nudge to do the right thing, even if no one else notices?
Through me
How could choosing what is good influence the environment around me?
A Question/Questions for the Family:
How can we encourage each other to do what is good when it would be easier to take a shortcut?
Have 30 minutes or more? Spend some time reading one chapter of You Are What You Love then reflect on the following questions:
- What did this reveal about what I’m currently loving or prioritizing?
- Where do I see a gap between what I say I value and how I’m actually living?
- What habits or rhythms are shaping me right now?
- What is one area of my life that feels out of alignment?
- What might God be inviting me to notice or change?
- What is one habit that is forming me in a way I don’t want?
Week Eight: Patience
Sermon: Pressing On
Primary Text: Philippians 3:12–21
Supporting Verses: Philippians 3:13–14
Patience doesn’t come naturally to us. We want quick progress, clear results, and a sense that we’re getting it right. But in Philippians, Paul reminds us that following Jesus is a process. God is still at work in us, even when growth feels slow or unseen. This week, these practices invite us to keep going, trusting that God is still at work in us.
Breath Prayer Instructions:
Choose a comfortable place to sit and be still.
Slow your breathing.
Pray the first part as you inhale.
Pray the second part as you exhale.
Repeat for a few moments.
Let your body settle.
Let your mind grow quiet.
Simply be present with God.
Inhale: God, you are still working.
Exhale: Help me keep going.
Faithful God,
I come to You as I am.
Still learning.
Still growing.
Still unfinished.
I want progress to be faster than it is.
I want clarity sooner than it comes.
I want to feel like I’ve arrived.
But You remind me
that I have not arrived yet.
And that’s not failure.
It’s an invitation to keep going.
Still, I feel the tension.
The places where I feel stuck.
The habits that are slow to change.
The parts of my life
that don’t look the way I hoped they would.
I can grow discouraged.
I can lose focus.
I can be tempted to give up
or settle where I am.
But You call me forward.
Not to perfection, but to pursuit.
So today, I take the next step.
Even if it feels small.
Even if it feels slow.
I trust that You are at work
in ways I cannot always see.
Give me patience to keep going.
Give me endurance to stay with You.
Give me focus to fix my eyes on You.
Form in me a steady faith
that doesn’t rush ahead
or fall behind,
but walks with You.
Step by step.
Day by day.
Until I am fully formed in You.
Amen.
Practice presence with God on a 10 minute walk.
Notice His creation.
Talk with Him about what you see and feel.
As you walk, think about God’s patience, your patience, and the patience of others.
With God
How has God given me time to mature instead of expecting instant change?
In me
What situations most test my willingness to wait?
Through me
What relationship might grow stronger if I chose understanding over urgency?
A Question/Questions for the Family:
What is one situation this week where we can practice slowing down and giving each other grace?
Have 30 minutes or more? Spend some time reading one chapter of You Are What You Love then reflect on the following questions:
- What did this reveal about what I’m currently loving or prioritizing?
- Where do I see a gap between what I say I value and how I’m actually living?
- What habits or rhythms are shaping me right now?
- What is one area of my life that feels out of alignment?
- What might God be inviting me to notice or change?
- What is one habit that is forming me in a way I don’t want?
Week Nine: Peace
Sermon: A Steady Soul
Primary Text: Philippians 4:1–9
Supporting Verses: Philippians 4:6–7
Peace can feel distant. Especially when life feels uncertain, overwhelming, or out of control. But in Philippians, Paul points us to a peace that is not found in circumstances, but in bringing everything to God. This week, these practices invite us to release what we are carrying and receive the steadying peace that God offers.
Breath Prayer Instructions:
Choose a comfortable place to sit and be still.
Slow your breathing.
Pray the first part as you inhale.
Pray the second part as you exhale.
Repeat for a few moments.
Let your body settle.
Let your mind grow quiet.
Simply be present with God.
Inhale: You are my peace.
Exhale: I rest in You.
God of peace,
I come to You with what is on my mind
and what is heavy in my heart.
You tell me not to be anxious about anything.
But to bring everything to You.
So I bring it to You now.
The things I can control.
The things I cannot.
The things that feel uncertain.
The things that feel overwhelming.
I lay them before You
with prayer and with thanksgiving.
And I receive Your peace.
A peace that goes beyond what I understand.
A peace that guards my heart.
A peace that steadies my mind.
Teach me what to dwell on.
Whatever is true.
Whatever is honorable.
Whatever is right.
Whatever is pure.
Whatever is lovely.
Whatever is admirable.
Help me think about these things.
Shape my thoughts.
Steady my heart.
Slow my reactions.
Let Your peace lead me
in how I respond to others.
Make me gentle.
Make me kind.
Make me steady.
And in all things,
remind me that You are near.
Amen.
Practice presence with God on a 10 minute walk.
Notice His creation.
Talk with Him about what you see and feel.
As you walk, think about God’s peace, your peace, and the peace of others.
With God
What helps me remember that God is near, even when life feels unsettled?
In me
Where do I notice tension, worry, or pressure building inside me?
Through me
Who in my life might need a steady and reassuring presence right now?
A Question/Questions for the Family:
What is one simple way we can help create a more peaceful environment in our home this week?
Have 30 minutes or more? Spend some time reading one chapter of You Are What You Love then reflect on the following questions:
- What did this reveal about what I’m currently loving or prioritizing?
- Where do I see a gap between what I say I value and how I’m actually living?
- What habits or rhythms are shaping me right now?
- What is one area of my life that feels out of alignment?
- What might God be inviting me to notice or change?
- What is one habit that is forming me in a way I don’t want?
Week Ten: Contentment
Sermon: The Secret of Contentment
Primary Text: Philippians 4:10–23
Supporting Verses: Philippians 4:11–13; 4:19
Contentment doesn’t come from having everything we want. It is something we learn over time. In Philippians, Paul shares that he has learned to be content in every situation. Not because life is easy, but because his life is anchored in Christ. This week, these practices invite us to notice what we are relying on, and to rediscover the quiet strength of a life rooted in Him.
Breath Prayer Instructions:
Choose a comfortable place to sit and be still.
Slow your breathing.
Pray the first part as you inhale.
Pray the second part as you exhale.
Repeat for a few moments.
Let your body settle.
Let your mind grow quiet.
Simply be present with God.
Inhale: You are enough,
Exhale: I have all I need in You.
Giver of every good thing,
You are near.
You see my life as it is.
The places that feel full
and the places that feel lacking.
You know how easily my heart drifts.
How quickly I begin to believe
that contentment is somewhere else.
Somewhere ahead.
Somewhere different.
But Your Word reminds me
that I can learn to be content
in any and every circumstance.
Not because everything is easy,
but because You are steady.
So I bring You what feels unsettled in me.
The striving.
The comparison.
The quiet discontent I carry.
And I choose, again, to turn toward You.
Teach me to be satisfied in what You have given.
To trust that every good and perfect gift comes from You.
That You will supply all I need
according to Your riches in Christ Jesus.
Where I am anxious, remind me to bring everything to You in prayer, and with thanksgiving.
Where my thoughts are restless,,
teach me to be still before You.
Remind me that You are my shepherd, therefore I lack nothing
Form in me a steady heart.
A heart that is not dependent on circumstances,
but anchored in You.
Because I can do all things
through Him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:13).
Even this.
Even here.
You are enough for me.
And in You,
I have all I need.
Amen.
Practice presence with God on a 10 minute walk.
Notice His creation.
Talk with Him about what you see and feel.
As you walk, think about God’s satisfaction, your contentment, and the contentment of others.
With God
Where might God be inviting me to trust that He knows what is enough for me?
In me
Where might contentment free me from unnecessary pressure?
Through me
Where could contentment help me celebrate someone else’s success?
A Question/Questions for the Family:
Where do we sometimes feel like we need more in order to be happy? What is something we already have that we can enjoy or be thankful for this week?
Have 30 minutes or more? Spend some time reading one chapter of You Are What You Love then reflect on the following questions:
- What did this reveal about what I’m currently loving or prioritizing?
- Where do I see a gap between what I say I value and how I’m actually living?
- What habits or rhythms are shaping me right now?
- What is one area of my life that feels out of alignment?
- What might God be inviting me to notice or change?
- What is one habit that is forming me in a way I don’t want?
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