September 28th - Small Group Guide
Small Group Guide – Whatever Is Lovely
Text: Philippians 4:8
Opening (5–10 minutes)
- Welcome & prayer.
- Icebreaker: What’s one “lovely” thing you noticed this week—something that brought joy, peace, or gratitude?
Scripture Reading
- Read Philippians 4:8–9 together.
1. The Call to Loveliness
- Why do you think Paul included “whatever is lovely” in his list of what to think about?
- The Greek word prosphilē means “toward love” or “that which calls forth love.” How does this deepen your understanding of what’s truly “lovely”?
2. Defining “Lovely”
- How is biblical loveliness different from the world’s idea of beauty?
- Read Psalm 27:4. How does gazing on the “beauty of the Lord” shape our perspective?
3. The Power of Lovely Thoughts
- Read Luke 6:45. How do our thoughts influence our words and actions?
- Share a time when choosing to focus on something lovely changed your attitude or the atmosphere around you.
4. Seeing Loveliness in Hardship
- Discuss the story of Corrie Ten Boom and the fleas at Ravensbrück. What does it mean to find loveliness even in suffering?
- Where have you seen God bring beauty out of ashes in your life (Isaiah 61:3)?
5. Practicing the Lovely
- What “inputs” (media, conversations, habits) might be crowding out loveliness in your mind?
- Fred Rogers said, “Look for the helpers.” How can we develop the habit of spotting loveliness in the middle of brokenness?
- How might God be calling you to become a source of loveliness for others this week?
Application & Challenge
- Action Step: Intentionally do one act of loveliness for another person—through words, encouragement, or presence.
Closing Scripture & Prayer
Read Isaiah 52:7 aloud together:
“How lovely on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news…”
Pray: Lord, help us to see Your beauty, dwell on what is lovely, and reflect Your loveliness to the world around us.