Bright Lights Set 3 Meeting 1 - Contentment
Definitions:-adj
1. Mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are
2. Assenting to or willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action, etc.
-noun
Peace of mind, ease of mind, comfort, happiness
-inter
(Brit) (in the House of Lords) a formal expression of assent, as opposed to the expression ‘not content’
From Old French, from Latin contentus contented, that is, having restrained desires, from continere to restrain
Synonyms: complacent, ease, fulfillment, gladness, gratification, peace, pleasure, serenity, satisfaction
Antonyms: discomfort, discontent, displeasure, dissatisfaction, misery, sadness, unhappiness
Scripture References:1 Timothy 6:6-10
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Philippians 4:11-12I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
John 3:27To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.
Matthew 6:24-3
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Do Not Worry
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Main Concepts:
- Our own wants, desires, and love for temporal things will prevent us from living a godly life and will cause our light to become dim.
- The Lord sees the whole picture of our lives and will provide according to His timing what He knows is best. Those who are willing to trust Him by faith will experience the secret of contentment in their lives…godliness with contentment is great gain.
Activities:
Make a list of the areas of life with which people are often discontent (possessions, looks, reputation, friends, circumstances).
What is one trial you are grateful for…and why?
Think of one area of suffering (or anything difficult being grateful for) in your life. Write at least 10 reasons why God may have allowed this particular “problem” to happen.
Divide into groups…come up with a 1 minute commercial advertising some unnecessary or silly item. Give the audience the impression that they need this item in order to be happy. How does the enemy use the same tactics to “advertise” his products to us?
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