Week 1 The Ancient Path
Day 2

Readings:
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. Philippians 4:11-12

A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Mark 4:35-41

Question: 
What are you still worried about or afraid of that is preventing you from finding the contentment God intends for you to have?

 Cambridge Dictionary, s.v. “Contentment,” accessed August 18, 2024, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/contentment

Gallup, “Satisfaction with Personal Life,”Accessed August 18, 2024, https://news.gallup.com/poll/1672/satisfaction-personal-life.aspx

WEEK 1. THE ANCIENT PATH
Reading for the Week:
 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were 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 all this through him who gives me strength.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.  Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.  I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen

Philippians 4:10-20

Daily Reading:
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. Philippians 4:12

After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:2-4

Question:
What has come up for you as you consider your own journey into contentment; where have you been, and where do you want to go?

INTRODUCTION
Contentment—we know what it feels like—the joy and nostalgia that fills our bodies as a familiar smell wafts over us or the deep feeling of joy and belonging when we are with people who profoundly love and understand who we really are. Yet, it can come and go out of our lives as quickly as the weather, feeling hard to predict, pin down, or cultivate...

My goal is that [you] may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that [you] may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that [you] may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2-3

The Journey Ahead:
WEEK 1.   THE ANCIENT PATH

WEEK 2   PRAY WITH JOY

WEEK 3    PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL

WEEK 4    BECOME PURE

WEEK 5    PARTICIPATE  WITH CHRIST

WEEK 6      PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL

WEEK 7      PEACE THAT TRANSCENDS UNDERSTANDING

WEEK 8      PONDER SUCH THINGS

HEART TUNE

My heart is prone to clamber and clang

Discordant, discontent, empty of praise

Then your wind blows over, stirring new song

But from disuse, strums a dissonant throng

All Love becomes lost in my tone-deaf pride

My ego booms large, and my chest puffs wide

Then bitterness whines sharp, like an untuned horn

Hurt clatters and clanks, like cymbals of scorn

Lord come! TUNE my soul to trust in your TRUTH

My joys and struggles are all for your USE

Tenderly twist the tendons in my heart

Teach me your NATURE and show me my part

You pluck, and You prod, You touch and You test

Sweet pain that guides me to learn your rest

Oh Jesus, ELEVATE my heart with Yours

That I will sing your mercies, forevermore
poem by Lindsay Hausch

© Lindsay Hausch www.lindsayhausch.com

Produced for:

 St Matthew Lutheran Church www.stmatthewrocklin.com

All Scriptures in this podcast are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

Week 1 will be released on September 23rd, with new episodes released every Sunday for our eight-week study. Subscribe for updates!

Hello! This is Lindsay Hausch and I want to welcome you to a journey on learning The Secret of Being Content. I wrote this study based on Paul’s letters to the Philippians which is jam-packed with so many applicable truths for our lives today, but the words that grabbed my attention are when Paul says  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 all this through him who gives me strength.

Often we can over-spiritualize these words and lose sight of the promise and practical application in our lives today. Or we can think that this isn’t for us, but that Paul was a spiritual giant that lived a life that we cannot aspire to.

I believe Paul’s words are an invitation to an divine adventure to life with Jesus, where we too can learn the secret to being content, even when are circumstances are impossibly hard.

You can join us for this eight week study by listening in. You can do the questions on your own, but I recommend you find a group or at least another friend to take this journey with.

You’ll start next with the introduction.

There will be 5 daily readings each week. On the first day of the week I’ll introduce the focus for the next five days, and read the reading from Philippians that we will be studying that week. Each day has a couple smaller Bible readings, a prayer, and a question for reflection.

On the last day of each week, I’ll end with reading the week’s discussion questions

Just a couple other things!

This content is subject to copyright. (© Lindsay Hausch www.lindsayhausch.com) But please feel free to share with friends.

This podcast will be available for free to listeners for a limited time and has been originally produced for my church at St. Matthew Lutheran for our Fall Lifegroup Campaign. (www.stmatthewrocklin.com)

As an author I never just write a book to write a book. This has been something God has put on my heart as a study that He wants to use to prepare the bride of Christ for the coming seasons. I pray that God would use His Word woven within it to be fresh manna as He guides you to grow in contentment and to be more like Him. I pray that God uses each day to challenge you and invite you more deeply into life connected to His heart.

Special thanks to my husband Nathan Hausch for bearing with me when I can be intolerable when writing a book, and special thanks to Pastor Brad Cusson, my pastor, who met with me weekly as I wrote this. He challenged me to be more truthful, and always connect everything I wrote to God’s Grace and desire for relationship.