• Paul says to “fix your thoughts” on certain things. Let’s take a moment to do that today. Give two to three examples of each:

  • What is true:

  • What is honorable:

  • What is right:

  • What is pure:

  • What is lovely:

  • What is admirable:

  • What is excellent:

  • What is worthy of praise:

• Paul ends verse 9 the same way he ends verse 7, with the peace of God.  How are verse 9 and 7 related?  How are they different?

  • In verse 9 Paul challenges us to practice the things we have learned, heard, and seen in him.  Who in your life do you look to for the things true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise?  As we have said before, no one is perfect.  But, if you have someone like this, it is a tremendous gift.  Dwell on what you have learned from them or from Paul, and spend some time thanking God for them and praying for yourself to follow their example.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.