For Sunday, April 17, 2011

Philippians 4 is one of my favorite chapters. During class time this last week, we didn't get past the first 9 verses. So, we are going to spend one extra week plunging into this great message from God. To prepare for class, use the previous blog posting for this chapter and/or read Philippians 4 at least once a day every day until class time. Hope to see you there!

For Sunday, April 10, 2011

Bible Study preparation for April 10, 2011.

1) Philippians 4:1-3 If Paul was writing verse 1 to you, how would it make you feel? What problem in the church does Paul reveal in verse 2? What does he remind them of in verse 3? How would remembering that help them? Philippians 4:4-7 When is it hard to rejoice? Why did Paul emphasize it so much? What does it mean to have a gentle or gracious spirit? What are you tempted to be anxious about? What does Paul suggest you substitute that response with? When in your life have you experienced the peace of God? How would you describe it to someone who hasn't experienced it?

2) Philippians 4:8-9 Make of a list the descriptor words Paul used for the kinds of things we should be thinking about. Which of the words stand out to you? Why? How does this list compare to the thoughts that usually fill your mind? Why does it matter? How are the instructions of verse 8 related to the instructions of verse 9? And how are both -- the thinking and the doing -- related to experiencing the peace of God?

3) Philippians 4:10-14 What was Paul's secret to contentedness? What does it mean to be content? How does it feel? What is the challenge of being content in humble circumstances? in prosperous circumstances? Where did Paul get his strength? In what area of your life is it difficult to feel content? What is God telling you about it in this passage? Matthew 6:19-21 How does the Jesus' lesson in this passage impact your approach to contentedness?

4) Philippians 4:15-23 What did Paul want them to know about their gift to him? Why was he reluctant to receive gifts from the churches? Re-read verse 19. How does this relate to Paul's teaching about contentedness? How many of your needs will God supply? What kinds of needs will He supply for? To what measure will He supply for your needs? Re-read and rest in this verse today. Pray the truth of verse 19 for someone else.

For Sunday, April 3, 2011

Bible Study preparation for April 3, 2011.

1) Philippians 3:1-6 Who were the opponents Paul was warning against in this passage? What was wrong with their teaching? In the category of human works, what was on Paul’s resume? What “human” things would you be tempted to rely on in your spiritual life instead of God?

2) Philippians 3:5-11 What did Pula think of his “human” resume? What did Paul focus on as #1 in value? What is the difference between righteousness from the Law and righteousness through faith in Christ? How have you experienced the power of Christ’s resurrection in your life? Have you experienced the fellowship of His suffering? How is this different from ordinary human suffering?

3) Philippians 3:12-16 What did Paul compare the Christian life to? How did Paul measure his Christian journey? What did he forget? What did he reach for? How well does your life compare to the standard of verse 16?

4) Philippians 3:17-21 How does Paul describe opponents to Christ in this passage? How did he feel about his opponents? How can you tell? What warning did Paul give them about these opponents? According to Paul, what are we waiting for?

For Sunday, March 27, 2011

Bible Study preparation for March 27, 2011.

1) Philippians 2:12-18
What does it mean to “work out” your salvation? What actions would that involve? Why is verse 14 so hard to obey? In what area of your life is it the hardest? How does Paul describe the effects of following through with verse 14? What does Paul say to rejoice in?

2) Philippians 2:15-16
What does it mean to be lights in the world? What does Paul say about it?
John 8:12; Matthew 5:14-16
What did Jesus teach about being light in the world?
1 John 1:5-7
Light is a theme throughout 1 John. How does John’s teaching about being light add to your understanding of the concept?

3) Philippians 2:19-24
What plan did Paul have in mind for Timothy? Why? What was the ministry relationship between Paul and Timothy? What was Paul waiting for before sending Timothy?

4) Philippians 2:5-30
Who was Epaphroditus? What is the story told in these verses about Epaphroditus’s gift of service? What happened to him? How does Pula’s words at the end of verse 30 effect the telling of the story?

For Sunday, March 20, 2011

Bible Study preparation for Sunday, March 20, 2011.

1) Philippians 1:27-30
What does it mean to "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ?" Who many ways did Paul emphasize the issue of unity in these verses? According to Paul, why was unit y so important? Is that still true for Christians today? How did Paul view suffering as related to His relationship with Christ? with other Christians?

2) Philippians 2:1-5
Paul says a lot of "ifs" in verse 1. Is this because he isn't sure, or is he trying to emphasize something else? How are the "ifs" related to relationships and unity within the church? When is living up to this standard easiest for you? When is it hardest?

3) Philippians 2:5-11
Draw a diagram showing the decisions and actions of Jesus that Paul highlighted in these verses. What stands out to you in this description of Jesus? What might have happened if Jesus decided to hold tightly to his identity as God instead of choosing to allow Himself to be lowly? Spend time confessing Jesus as Lord in prayer right now. Is He really your boss?

4) What does each of the following passages tell us about Jesus' view and experience of humility?
Luke 2:16
Matthew 4:5-7; Matthew 8:20; Matthew 26:39
John 6:38
Matthew 5:3-11
Which of these examples do you need to follow more closely in your life?

For Sunday, March 13, 2011

Bible Study preparation for March 13, 2011.
1) Philippians 1:12-18
What was Paul’s circumstances while he was writing this letter?
What conflict were the Philippian believers facing?
In modern days, what are some of the “wrong motives” of some people who preach about Jesus Christ? What would the “right motives” be? What word or words would you use to describe Paul’s attitude in this passage?

2) Philippians 1:18-20
What is the focus of Paul’s life? Which of his words prove this? What evidence is there beyond his words? What does it mean for Christ to be exalted or highly honored in a person’s body? When Paul said deliverance, what did he mean? Note how verse 20 ends.

3) Philippians 1:21-26
What did Paul mean in verse 21? What was the personal dilemma he was discussing in these verses? Can you identify with his feelings expressed in this passage? What did Paul see as his purpose for remaining on earth? How can having purpose change a person’s attitude and motivation in life?

4) Philippians 1:27-30
What does it mean to conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel? Can any Christian achieve this? How? What goals did Paul have for the Philippian Christians? Can you sum up these goals in one or two words? What positive way did Paul view the Christians’ opponents? How did Paul instruct them to view suffering? How do you view suffering in your own life?

For Sunday, March 6, 2011

Bible Study preparation for March 6, 2011.

1) Philippians 1:1-11
Who was the letter from?
How did Paul describe his relationship with the people of the church of Philippi?
How did he turn his greeting into a blessing?
How can we do that for each other?

2) Review some events that happened in Philippi:
Acts 16:12-40
What stands out to you in this passage?
Who was Lydia?
What was the attitude and actions of the crowd in Philippi?
How would you describe Paul and Silas’s attitudes and actions while in the jail?
What was their main focus and goal?
What can we learn from their example?

3) Philippians 1:1-11
What does Paul say about prayer in this passage?
What did he pray for them?
Who can you pray this for?
Pray these verses for that person now.

4) Philippians 1:7-11
What does it mean to be a partaker of grace with someone?
How is the affection of Jesus Christ different from normal human affection?
How can love abound in knowledge and discernment?
What is the fruit of righteousness? See James 3:18
Is the fruit of righteousness evident in your life?