Being Content - Sunday School Lesson

Paul used to be high up in the religious world of the Pharisees. But after Jesus chose him to do his work, Paul gave up all his wealth and power to be persecuted for the glory of God. Before his imprisonment in Rome, he was tortured, flogged, insulted, misrepresented, was in a storm at sea, and spent 2 years under house arrest. But he still rejoiced and he was still content. How could this be possible?


I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I 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. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Phil 4:10-13


Sometimes we all get that lightbulb moment when we're in our lows. When we just turn back to the God and realise He is all we ever need and more, that's when we can let go of the things that we think we deserve.

The Race (this week's Sunday School Lesson :P)

It's easy to get tired of running the race. There's a lot of training and preparation that we don't want to do. There are obstacles that we don't want to go over. And sometimes the goal seems impossible to reach. But God offers strength, perseverance and endurance. He gives us everything that we need for us to do what He wants us to do. Although nothing I do can ever be enough to repay Him, I pray that when I see Him in heaven, He'll call me faithful.

Philippians 3:12-16
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

One of the best things about teaching in Sunday School is that you learn so much yourself.

Philippians 2
Imitating Christ's Humility
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.


As Bui likes to say, I couldn't have said it better myself.