Deep Dive Philippians 4:6-7


1. How do you respond when things don’t go your way?

2. What did Paul exhort the Philippian believers to do? (4:1)

3. How did Paul feel toward the Philippian congregation? (4:1)

4. What did Paul say about anxiety? (4:6–7)

5. In Philippians 4:7, the Greek word for “guard” is phroureō (φρουρέω). The noun form phrouros (φρουρός) can describe a sentinel in the military—someone who watches in advance. The verb phroureō appears three other times in the New Testament: 2 Corinthians 11:32; Galatians 3:23; and 1 Peter 1:5. How do these passages shape your understanding of Philippians 4:7?

6. How does the context of Philippians enhance your understanding of these verses about anxiety and peace?

7. How good are you at not being anxious about things? What sorts of things cause you the most worry? Can you recall a time when you were able to rejoice in a difficult time? What allowed you to be joyful?

8. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).