9/12/2010 Philippians 1:1-26
This page includes key slides from the sermon, a link to the sermon podcast, and a large range of questions you can pick from for your small group.
Sermon Scripture References:
Philippians 1:1-26
Key Sermon Slides:
QUESTIONS:
Verses 1-5
1.
Paul thanks God with joy for the Philippians because they are his partners in
the gospel (verses 3-5) What are the goals of this partnership (see
1:7,12,27)
How could you act as a partner with other Christians in God's service?
2. If you were to receive an inspired letter from the apostle Paul today, which of your qualities or habits would he praise ?
3. To what Christian friend or relative can you write a short note or e-mail to day for the purpose of providing spiritual encouragement ?
Verse 6
4. What is the great promise for Christians in verse 6?
5. In verse 6, why can Paul be so perfectly certain that the good work will be completed? What is the basis of his confidence?
6. What is a work God is doing in you that you long to see come to completion?
7. How can your small group members pray for you, encourage you, and keep you accountable as you grow in this specific area of your life?
Verses 9-11
8. What specific requests did Paul lift up for the followers of Christ at Philippi ?
9. Why is it important that our love abound in knowledge? in depth of insight?
10. What does the life of a follower of Christ look like when their love is abounding more and more ?
11. What is one practical act of love you can extend to another person in the coming week.
Verses 12-26
12. Most of us devise daily "to do" lists and weekly agendas. How do you typically respond when life doesn't cooperate with your plans ?
13. Paul was a man of action - a missionary church planter. How hard do you ink it was for him to adjust to life behind bars ?
14. How did Paul turn is bad circumstances into a positive situation?
15. Paul refused to dwell on the negative aspects of things. How do we develop this habit ? Should we ?
16. What bad situations are present in your life right now ?
17. How might God be wanting to work through the bad
situations in your life just now - the ones you just listed - for his glory and
your good ?
(LBP Note: Sometimes this important question will give us great insight
and a whole different slant to our situation. However, sometimes we can
find absolutely no good in the evil of a situation. It is not more
spiritual to be in denial or make excuses for God about why the situation is OK
when it is not, it is not less spiritual to see absolutely nothing redeeming
about a situation. Why God allows some things will remain a mystery
until the 'Day of Christ')
`18. Listen to the following names and try to guess what each
person's highest source of pleasure is or was. What do they fix their
sights on and orient their life toward?
Michael Jordan, Mother Teresa, Donald Trump, Hugh Hefner, Michael Jackson.
19. Almost everyone has something very specific that dives them. We all have something that makes us tick. If you imagine a box that can old only thing, value, or person that represents the primary driving motivation of your life, what would be in your box ? What is your primary value or life influence? What is in the box?
20. How does what we have in the box influence on of the following aspects of our lives: Our motives, How we invest our time, How we treat others, How we use our finances, The space we give to God.
21. In light of what Paul writes in Philippians 1:12-20 what you say Paul has in the box of his life?
22. What was Paul's feelings toward those who were guarding him in jail? How can Paul's example of facing painful and turbulent times in influence you in a tough situation you are facing right now ?
24. Paul rejoiced that the message of Jesus was being communicated even by those whose motives were questionable. What can you do to support churches or ministries that are bringing the message of Christ to your community.?
25. Paul called first century Christians to contend for the gospel and not be frightened by those who were opposing them. What are some of the battles raging against the truth of the gospel in our world today ?
26. Almost as an aside, Paul gives us a good principle in this passage about the possible wrong motives of others. What is the principle ?
27. What is the most significant insight you have had from this scripture? Does this insight suggest any area of your life in which you could respond to Paul's words? If so, what further prayer or action seems appropriate, if any?