What symptoms of despair or hopelessness do you see in your daily life? Work? Commute? Family dinner conversations?

Read Philippians 4:1-9. What are the commands that Paul gives in this exhortation section of his letter to the Philippians?

Read Philippians 4:2-9. What does Paul mean when he says “the Lord is at hand” (v. 5)? How is that connected to the “peace of God” (v. 7)?

Read Philippians 4:6-7. What anxieties are you facing right now? As a group, practice praying for one another and giving these anxieties to God.

Houston spoke about spiritual numbness as the root of despair and hopelessness. Dream with your group about what life would be like if you were really engaged with God in a practical way. What excites you about the possibilities?

What are some of the obstacles you face to engaging with God daily? Are there any fears you face with making adjustments to these things?

Read Luke 24:25-32. How does Jesus meet the hopelessness of his disciples on the road to Emmaus? What impact does this have on them? What is a practical step you can take this week to encounter Jesus similarly?