October 5th - Small Group Guide
Small Group Guide
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
- Share about a time when you admired someone in your life (a family member, teacher, coach, or friend).
- What quality stood out to you the most?
- Our thoughts are like soil: what we plant grows.
- The world feeds us what is scandalous, ugly, or shameful, but Paul redirects our attention to what is admirable.
- When you buy a new car, suddenly you see that model everywhere. It was always there, but your attention became tuned to it. The same is true when we focus on admirable things — we begin to notice them all around us.
Discussion: What kinds of things tend to dominate your thoughts? How do you see that shaping your outlook and actions?
- Greek: euphēmos → “of good reputation, commendable, worth talking about.”
- Admirable things aren’t about outward impressiveness, but inward character and godly deeds.
- Biblical Example: Barnabas, “Son of Encouragement” (Acts 4:36), admired not for power, but for encouragement and generosity.
Discussion: Who in your life (past or present) has shown admirable qualities of character that made an impression on you?
- Because what we admire, we imitate (Hebrews 12:1 — surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses).
- Because admiration pushes out negativity (complaining shrinks the soul, admiration expands it).
- Corrie Ten Boom gave thanks for fleas in a Nazi barracks, later discovering the fleas kept guards away so Bible studies could happen. Her ability to see the admirable in suffering gave her strength.
Discussion: How can focusing on what is admirable help guard your mind against negativity or discouragement?
- Faithful perseverance: A single mom praying with her children nightly.
- Quiet integrity: A worker refusing to cut corners when no one is watching.
- A man said of his grandmother, “She never preached a sermon, but her life was the best sermon I ever heard.”
Discussion: Which of these examples resonates with you most — and why?
- Notice it — train your eyes to see what God is doing.
- Speak it — tell others when you see admirable qualities (encouragement multiplies it).
- Nurture it — pursue admirable qualities in your own life.
Discussion: What’s one practical way you could “notice, name, or nurture” something admirable this week?
- Jesus embodied everything “admirable” — compassion, truthfulness, courage, sacrificial love.
- Philippians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus…”
- We think on the admirable not just to imitate people, but to become more like Christ.
Discussion: What is one admirable quality of Jesus you want to reflect more fully in your life?
- The world trains us to dwell on the scandalous.
- God calls us to notice and celebrate the admirable.
Challenge: Each day this week, write down one admirable thing you notice and thank God for it.