Philippians Study Discussion Notes - Ministry Exchange (MX)

Philippians Bible Study, Keith and Kathy Cooper

Philippians 1:1-11

Note: It’ll help to give some sort of introduction to this letter. I’ve
listed some background information that you could use to give people an
idea of what the Philippians might have been like (to help your SG see that
these are real people, like us). You can use this info, and/or share a
story of something you’ve gotten out of Philippians or something you hope
to learn through the letter. The important thing is to communicate
enthusiasm and energy to your SG as you begin the study of Philippians.

Context/background of Paul’s letter to Philippians:
1. See Acts 16:6-40. Lydia (a businesswoman) and her household and a
jailer and his household form the beginnings of the Phil. church.
2. Paul is writing from prison, most likely during his imprisonment in
Rome.
3. Paul writes them for several reasons: to thank them for their gift, to
encourage them in the midst of persecution, to urge them to work out some
conflicts between 2 key women in the church, to ask them to welcome some
fellow ministers of the gospel (Timothy and Epaphroditus), and to warn them
of some false teachers.

1. The introduction of the letter (vs.1): Let’s look at who this letter
is from and who it is written to. What do you know about Paul and Timothy? what was their relationship like? what do we learn about them even in
this first introductory line?

Paul and Timothy are writing to “all the saints. . .together with the
overseers and deacons.” What do you make of that? Why would they write to
everyone in the church at Philippi? what does this gesture
communicate?(everyone’s important and valuable) (the overseers and deacons
may have been mentioned specifically because we learn later in the letter
that 2 women leaders in the church are in conflict. Perhaps this address
to the leaders as well is a call to them to listen carefully to the
letter.) How would it feel to be called a saint? do you see yourself as a
saint? do you consider other Christians as saints?

2. The greeting (vs.2). Paul and Timothy are extending God’s grace and
peace to the Philippians. Who’s extended God’s grace and peace to you?
what did it look like? How could we extend God’s grace and peace to
others?

3. Let’s look at verses 3-8. What’s the tone of Paul’s letter? How many
of you think of Paul as a touchy-feely guy? Yet how does he feel about the
Philippians? How would you describe their relationship? (“sharing in
gospel from first day till now” suggests loyalty. “in chains or defending
the gospel” suggests they’ve been with him through thick and thin).

How does Paul express his love for them?
a. He’s thankful for them. Thanks God for them. Do you have people in
your life who are totally thankful for you? what’s that do for you?
b. He prays with joy for them. Paul’s prayer life seems passionate,
consistent, full of hope and confidence, thankful, full of vision. A model
for what our prayer could be.
c. He remembers them. What’s it like to be remembered often, especially
by someone at a distance?
d. Affectionate. He expresses lavishly his fondness of them. Do you have
people in your life who express affection for you? what’s that like for
you?

What feels risky about expressing affection and thanks to people? What are
some ways we could express affection, warmth, and thanks to people around
us? Are there 1-2 people that God may be asking you to express affection
to this week?

4. Verse 6. Paul says he is confident that God is going to finish the
good work he started in them. How might the Philippians need to be
encouraged of God’s loyalty to them? (they could be discouraged by or
worried about Paul’s imprisonment; they’re undergoing some persecution;
conflicts between leaders in the church could be troubling, divisive.)
What’s it like to despair of changing or of God sticking with you? In what
areas of your life do you feel incomplete or discouraged? How does it help
you to know that God is committed to you, that he’s working in you, and
will finish what he started?

5. Verses 9-11. What does Paul long to see happen in their lives? why is
it important to abound in wise love? what are the results of abounding in
love with all knowledge and discernment? Are there any situations right
now where you are trying to discern what is best? how could you approach
it with love with all knowledge and discernment? Are there ways you long
to be pure and blameless? how could growing in love with all knowledge and
discernment be the key?

Philippians 1: 11- Notes for a Manuscript Study
Qs: What surprises you?—doesn’t seem logical?

Intro: Paul wants them to love—boundary breaking love. This kind of love
results in choosing best over good—best is often quite surprising!
Passage personal example of boundary breaking love in action, choosing what
is best as a result. What do they need to know in order to love this way
themselves?

v.12 “know”. when would you write a letter saying “I want you to know”?
When it is not obvious. There are always things that are not obvious about
following Jesus. – ‘follow Jesus. Use words when necessary.’

Words are always necessary at some point in love/sharing faith or in
helping someone grow. (e.g.s)—going to be true for us as we share faith.
This passage, Paul is filling in some things that, if we looked on the
circumstances alone we would never understand. These are things we need to
know.

What are some things that you need to know/understand to start doing this
boundary breaking love?

What do they need to know?
a) beloved—what the first verses have made incredibly clear-affection is
rarely assumed—must be put into words for it to be believed.
b) Things are not what they seem. In fact opposite of their expectations
happening “actually”—defies logic, expectations. Incredibly important
when it comes to suffering.
—we cannot possibly love well until we understand some things about
suffering.

What are we supposed know about suffering that will help us love?

a) (v14:) Paul’s suffering is resulting in fruitful evangelism. Who?!
Have you ever seen suffering result in people hearing about Jesus? (groups)
b) Also empowering other Christians to be bold. Surprising! We are
constantly running from suffering, and yet Paul is claiming that his
suffering not only providing him a unique opportunity in his personal
outreach, but it is making all the Christians around him be bolder in their
witness. Why? Does seeing someone suffer make you bolder? (give e.g.)
c) (v17:) Paul’s suffering not only empowering friends, but who else is
preaching the gospel? Rivals—why? Think he’s out of the way, more glory. Strange that suffering is producing more suffering from the very people
who should be his friends! May be harder than the original suffering.
Things go from bad to worse.
d) Paul is rejoicing about it? Most surprising at all.

Principles: suffering connected to evangelism; to boldness. Suggesting
that suffering for your faith by non-christians may make some christians
really happy—more suffering—they’ll kick you while your down. At the end
of all this is joy.

Rivals: These guys have turned ministry into a competition. Have you ever
had a rival? (someone glad when you fail, dominating a relationship that
you value, putting you down, critical…) What does it feel like?
Suffering personally is hard; suffering because of other Christians who
have sick motives is excruciating. (e.g.s)

How can he possibly rejoice? What does Paul need to know?
—believes that the gospel is more important than himself. Jesus is the
answer for people, not us. (“It ain’t me babe”)
—believes that ultimately, his personal interests are satisfied any time
Jesus is promoted. Another way to say it: Jesus is ultimately out for my
good. Any time Jesus is promoted, my personal interests are promoted!

—Illustration: Paul digging for treasure. Get’s his hands tied so he
can’t dig—in process people who have tied him up hear about the treasure
and some of them start digging. Also some people who were threatened by
Paul start digging trying to show off that they are better than he is.
Paul has the choice to be hurt by that, or to focus on the fact that
despite their motives they are still digging for that treasure—treasure is
so big, that it can’t be uncovered without personally benefitting him.
Crucial thing, source of joy is the treasure, not even how well or how much
he got to dig.

—(Several E.g.s) Strange thing is that we shouldn’t even let our own bad
motives stop us from preaching the gospel.

Conclusion:
a) if you are going to do any boundary breaking love: then you will
suffer. Problem is not suffering it’s getting surprised and derailed by
it. Suffering may come from outside. Even more likely to come from people
who should be supporting you, building you up. (v.29)—privilege—goes
hand in hand with love. Love is a battlefield.
b) The real battle has less to do with specifics than with your own heart:
question that wins or loses the battle to love loving is: Do you believe
God has your best interests at heart? Did he die for you or not? Is he
praying for you? Does he love you? Is he totally out for your good? Has
he staked his entire reputation, glory, goodness on a promise to work on
your behalf to bring you good? (Is 64) If that is a question for you,
then it will affect every decision, every single thing you try to do.
Perhaps the most important question in the universe and suffering is the
thing that helps us ask it.
c) Joy is crucial to our lives as Christians. Truth without joy is
uncovincing—intimidating kind of lie; love without joy is not love but
martyredom; obedience without joy is really disobedience; joy a gift, but
there’s a choice here too “and I will continue” —its a discipline of
putting on the perspective of God’s promises. (Not denial kind of joy but
deep and honest) Seek joy—it will clarify a lot of the fog in our lives.
Paul will help us figure out how as we go along—mostly from his example—
keep asking why is he so happy.

(v20: shame. What do we feel ashamed about. Incredibly powerful
motivator. Actually the thing that keeps us from evangelism. …reverse
that. Jesus alone is the key to a shame free life.)

v23: The hard choice: live or die.
—Paul suffering incredibly—attractiveness of death sweet
—Paul longing to be with Jesus
Application: need relationship with Jesus, find him this sweet, practical
way to do that here is to worship—give yourself to letting him meet you.
Ask you real questions: God what do you think about me?

End: life is full of fruitful labor. (struck me very deeply when I read it. Some of us feel compelled to live “historicaly significant lives”. That
is part of our culture and college culture. God inviting us to live
spiritually significant lives: boiled down to learning to love.

Meaning of fruitful? (successful). How many of you associate being alive
with fruitful labor? With success? I don’t: main source of my
depressions. As long as you are living you have fruitful labor to do?
What is fruitful about your life? Do you know that if you are faithful,
you will make a difference? True for everyone of us in Jesus. Had this
discussion with my while dying —couldn’t do anything, full of pain.
Worried about being fruitful. Success: means letting Jesus love us, loving
other people. to give and receive love.

Paul debunking the myth that if we are suffering, have our hands tied, that
God doensn’t have an important job for us to do. Tendency is to give up.
E.g.

App:
a) Is God good? How to experience that this week.
b) what it means for you to pursue joy—especially in suffering or
surrounded by rivals. What’s stopping you from joy?
c) are you feeling unfruitful. Ask God to give you his def. of success and
reveal what has been fruitful this year, how he wants you to be fruitful
this week.

Phil. 1: 12-18
Intro: remember to start with energy—e.g. some example of how Philippians
is making a difference in your life, what intrigues you about it, how this
passage you’re about to study has impacted you. Especially as many small
group members have never studied a letter before, they need some assurance
that putting the effort into understanding this passage will really pay
off.

1. v12. Why was Paul put in prison? (to stop the gospel). What is he
concerned that the Phil’s understand about his predicament? (gospel going
forward, the whole palace guard, others getting bolder). How do you imagine
this was possible? How do you imagine the Phil’s felt about Paul being in
prison? What might have been surprising about Paul’s news?

What practical impact might this have on the Phil.‘s? Why does seeing
someone suffer encourage us to be more bold? a) enhances our confidence in
gospel, increases our value of Christ and salvation and b) increases our
sense of the gospel’s power. The gospel cannot be imprisoned.

Some application questions to choose from:
—What do you think is going to increase our confidence in the value/truth
of the gospel?
—Are there any ways you have seen people put “in prison” that has advanced
the gospel?
—Are there any ways you feel like you are in prison right now? have chains
around you? —Who might your chains be allowing you to reach? Who might it
be allowing you to encourage.
—How do you feel about highlighting your own chains/suffering as an
example for others? Why is Paul always using himself as example? How can
we do that?

2. v.15- Paul starts talking about the bad and good motivations of people
who are advancing the gospel. How does it sit with you to hear about
someone’s bad motives? What are some of the emotions you feel.

Bring this closer to home: What if someone started witnessing on your
hallway/unit with motives: what might some of those motives be? (make you
look stupid, to get a girl/boy-friend, make themselves look more moral than
they are (parade self-righteousness), to have power, to promote their own
status, ethnocentric thinking, to not be a learner, to avoid dealing with
some sin in their life.) What would be hard for you about that? What
would be dangerous about their witness? What would you be tempted to do?

3. v18 So what is Paul’s reaction? How can Paul say that he doesn’t care
about the motive, as long as Christ is preached? Why is that worth it even
if motives are bad? Realistically, how pure are our motives anyway? (maybe
be honest about some of yours and how God has brought good out of them to
others and to you.)

What is Paul teaching us about the gospel? a) That Jesus is much greater
than the messenger. Message is far more important and valuable than
message. b) Message far more powerful than messengers bad motives.

Ultimately neither suffering/prison or bad motives a match for Jesus and
the message of salvation. If we believed this what affects might it have
on our way of reaching out to people? Talking about Jesus?

Is the motive important at all? Why does Paul bring attention to it?

4. (if you have time). Go back to verse 9. How is Paul living out this
verse? What is the focus of his love? How is he loving with
discernment/knowledge? What choices is he making?

—what are some ways we have the choice this week to value the gospel more?

—what benefits should we expect to gain from making hard choices to love
deeply with more discernment?

Philippians 1: 18b-26
Intro: figure out some creative way to get people intrigued/interested in
the passage. (I talked about how I’ve been wanting to grow in joy and
hoping to figure out how from Philippians. I also talked about my
conversation with X last semester—about how we long for more joy in our
faith and yet are sometimes suspicious of the “joy” that some people
exude.)

1. Paul goes on in this section to say that he will continue to rejoice.
What’s he already been rejoicing about? why does he say he will continue
to rejoice? how would you define “rejoice”? what causes you to rejoice?
(often I rejoice more when good things happen to me, good circumstances—
whereas P rejoices regardless of circ’s). Can you relate to what Paul’s
saying? or does it seem really lofty/out there? what seems to be the
secret/ key to Paul’s rejoicing? how can he be this happy and celebrating
so much while he’s in prison? (his priorities are in focus; he’s finding
joy in what is truly worthwhile; he’s psyched about the gospel being
communicated; he’s confident of how it’ll all turn out in the end—so he
doesn’t have to be afraid of suffering and death—he knows he’ll be
delivered).
What kinds of suffering or difficulties are you going through right now?
How could we have this kind of joy, even while suffering?

True joy seems elusive/ not something we experience very often—why? It
seems like Paul makes choices to celebrate. What are some choices before
us to celebrate? (it’s easy to focus on what’s not going well, rather than
on what God’s doing. It’s also easy to lose perspective that God is in
control and that he’s doing good things for us even in suffering. And I so
easily base my happiness on more temporal, trivial things, rather than on
the gospel—messed up priorities.)

2. Verses 20-26. Paul is processing out loud a bit here, helping them
better understand why he’s rejoicing. What choice is he trying to make?
(hard to tell if he really has much choice or not to die or be acquited—
but in either case he’s helping them understand his perspective in decision-
making). what are the pros and cons to living or dying? why is it a tough
choice for him? why does he end up being convinced that he will remain?
What can we learn about discerning what’s best from Paul’s example here?
(he takes into account his “life”, and realizes he can’t lose either way;
he wants Christ to be exalted; and he takes other people’s joy in Christ
into account—ultimately, he wants the gospel to be preached-goal in focus. Fruitful labor for him.)

What might it look like to discern what’s best in decisions we are
currently facing? examples: housing, seniors deciding about future,
summer plans, spring break plans (PUP), how we spend our time, us deciding
about when to move and where and with whom, getting married, starting to
date someone, etc. How could we keep other people’s joy and progress in
the faith in mind as we make these decisions?

3. Paul decides to stay/live for the sake of the Philippians’ progress and
joy in the faith. What do you think about this? Does Paul sound like he
sees himself in an inflated way/ too important? What’s the implication of
what Paul’s saying in terms of the effect we can have on other people? (we
can somehow contribute greatly to other people’s joy in Christ.) How have
other Christians increased your joy in Christ and helped you progress in
your faith? Do you realize or believe the impact you could have on other
people’s joy?(we can have confidence to even choose to bring other people
joy)

Philippians 1:27-30—Fearlessness
1. Verses 27-30. Paul has some words of wisdom for them to follow,
regardless of how his situation turns out/ or whether he sees them again.
How might you paraphrase verse 27? What is Paul concerned about? What
does he fear for them, if he doesn’t come back to see them? (that they’d
be living a Christlike life just to please Paul, not because they really
want to or own their faith or want to please Christ).

Why is it so important that they live in a manner worthy of the gospel
regardless of Paul? (it’s the only way they’re gonna make it over the long
haul and with persecution; it’s also neccessary for their credibility as
witnesses, to be consistent and live up to what they claim to believe
rather than be hypocrites). Are there ways you’re struggling to
consistently live a Christian life ? what might it mean for you to live to
please Christ in the next couple weeks, in your lifestyle and decisions and
relationships?

2. What’s Paul long for for them? what’s it mean specifically for them to
live in a manner worthy of the gospel? what’s the goal? (contending for
the faith of the gospel) how are they to pursue that goal? why are unity
and courage so important for them in contending for the gospel? (Paul is
addressing internal and external hindrances to the gospel being preached)

How could fear undermine their goal of communicating the gospel? How does
fear effect you in evangelism? what might it mean to not be frightened in
any way? (be resolute in your goal—love the gospel; prioritize the gospel
over our reputation)

How will fearlessness be a sign? standing firm under persecution is a sign
of the genuineness of your faith. Fearlessness is a sign to opposition
that God is with you—not mere mortal courage.

verse 29-30. Why’s Paul bring up the subject of suffering? How do we tend
to see/feel about suffering? How and why is Paul giving them a different
perspective on it? (There’s more to the faith than believing in Christ—
suffering is a full part of being a Christian, in fact it’s as much a
privilege as believing is. Paul’s trying to encourage them in the midst of
difficulty— to know that suffering is a privilege—and that it’s exactly
what Paul’s already been through. He can understand them in their
suffering.)

*You may want to take some time to pray together about your fears in
communicating the good news to people and pray for fearlessness.

Philippians 2:1-11
1. Paul continues to talk about the importance of unity in ch. 2. What
reasons does he give to take unity seriously? “if any”? (it’s not too hard
to attain. If we have any of these things from Christ, then we’re fully
equipped to be united;this is key to being a Christian). How does Paul
describe unity? what is to unite them?(contending for the gospel—same
goal) Why is unity/ likemindedness so important to Paul? why is it so
crucial for the Philippians? (2 leaders in the church are in conflict,
Euodia and Syntyche) what are the dangers/side effects of division and
discord? (makes gospel unattractive to outsiders; makes gospel look weak;
big distraction for believers; most missionaries leave the mission field
because of internal conflicts rather than outside opposition and
persecution.—because conflict can be so exhausting and discouraging).

2. So what are the keys to being one in spirit and purpose? What’s the
path to unity? (humility and looking out for others interests). How do
selfish ambition and vain conceit put walls up between us?

What might it mean for us to look out for others’ interests? (help others
get ahead; pray for them what you long for yourself;Paul is example in
ch.1) To consider others as better than ourselves?(have good perspective)
To be humble? (admitting I was wrong; apologizing; serving; helping others
get ahead) When do you least want to be humble or look out for others’
interests? (when I’m insecure; when someone has just pushed my buttons or
tried to elevate themselves over me; when I’m tired).

3. Paul gives Jesus as an example to follow. Why would he use Jesus as an
example? (Jesus stooped far lower than we ever will. It puts humility for
us in proper context—nothing we could ever do to humble ourselves is as
hard as what J already did). What can we learn about humility from Jesus’
example? (humility is a choice; endurance in humility—it’s easy to be
humble in one situation but hard to continue over time; down down down;
nature of a servant—that’s what humility looks like; didn’t take advantage
of his position; great reward).

What kind of status are we trying to grasp? How does it feel to you to be
a servant, to give away status to others? Are there ways that Jesus is
asking you to humble yourself with friends, family, people in your small
group—in a way that may seem like dying? How could we humble ourselves in
order to look out for the interests of others?

Philippians 2: 12-18
Intro: Talking about Jesus example, how he put aside his glory and stepped
below humanity in order to save it. Paul calling us to follow his example
and value other people’s interests. What are some ways you feel like God
has been asking you to do this? (independence/disunity, discord, personal
ambition).

What were the consequences of living this way for Jesus? How does it sit
with you that “every knee will bow”? What implications of having Jesus now
reigning as Lord of the Universe? What are these verses saying about who
Jesus is? (see Is. 45:23)

Read passage: what are some of your questions?

1. What is “therefore” referring to? why use the word “obey”? who are
they obeying? (submission in pursuing the way down)

How would you paraphrase the verse: “work out your salvation”? (Give
ourselves to being saved, put our energy into being saved, pursue it with
great effort…) What specifically (in context) do you think Paul means?
Why do we need a certain fear in our faith? (—because Jesus way is the
exact opposite of our desires…. if we try to climb our way to the top we
will end up refusing him and his salvation.)

What reason does Paul give?: we can apply ourselves to this because even
the desire to live this way is a powerful act of God. As hard or
impossible as it seems, God’s almighty power is involved in helping us
live this way—not hopeless).

One of Paul’s great missions was to destroy the idea that salvation could
ever be deserved by working hard enough. Led to Christians and churches
preaching simplistic idea that we simply say the right prayer and that’s
all that’s involved in being saved. From this verse, what can we say about
the part our effort/work plays in our salvation.

So in a practical sense, how does this hit home: that impulse to put aside
your ambition and build someone else up is not only following Jesus
example, but is given to you miraculously by the Holy Spirit… and obeying
is part of your salvation.

2. (14) What are some of the things we complain about? why? What do
complaining and arguing have to do with Jesus example and our salvation?
What is the opposite of complaining? —joy.

3. Paul pictures Philippians as shining stars? Why choose this image?
How does our joy, especially in difficult circumstances, make us shine like
stars? Do you see yourselves that way?

4. Paul brings himself back into this at the end of the paragraph. What
is at stake for him in their unity, joy? His ‘work’ is at stake! The
thing he is boasting in is at stake—them. Why put it that way? What is
the image of the alter?—their existence is to draw attention to God’s
mercy. Facing the possiblity of him being killed—sees it as intimately
tied into them and something they should rejoice in.

What would it mean for us to look at our Bible studies the way Paul looked
at the Philippians?

Afterward:

Paul is basically pulling out the stops to say don’t give up, keep pressing
on, something amazing is happening through your lives. Give yourselves
even more to what God is doing in your lives, even when it is hard, because
it is worth it.

True for us—mid-point in semester. Weary. Easy to lose perspective on
what God is trying to do because it is hard. One of my priv. as staff, I
get to see how God is making your lives shine—working through them to hold
out life to others, bring light into a dark world. Take a few minutes to
worship and praise God for his work in our lives.

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Intro: Do you want to know the secret to having a vibrant, solid, strong
relationship with Christ? This passage is Paul’s answer—how he personally
has developed a solid rel with Jesus—and his instructions to the
Philippians for their growth.

1. Pressing on: Paul starts by sharing that he hasnt already obtained
“all this”. What’s he referring to? —What are some of Paul’s longings and
dreams in his rel with Christ, that he shared in the previous passage?
(want to know Christ and fship of his suff and power of his resurrec, etc). Paul’s admitting that he doesnt have it all together. He by no means
counts himself an expert in all this—but he does have his eye on the goal.

How does Paul deal with this imperfection, with the tension he feels
between the already and the not yet? What’s his attitude/perspective?
(singleminded, doesnt let the past distract or undo him, doesnt rest on his
laurels nor does he let past sins and failures consume him; puts all his
focus energy and effort into pressing on, not content with the status quo—
amazing for someone who already is a “spiritual giant”)

Paul uses the image of a race as an analogy for the Christian life. How is
the Christian life like running a race/marathon for a prize?
If you were to compare your Christian walk to a marathon, where would you
be? at the beginning and full of hope? tired? about to give up? no light
at the end of the tunnel? hopeful of finishing, with the goal in sight?

When is it hardest for you to press on in your faith? when do you feel
like throwing in the towel? When do you feel like coasting, not putting
much effort into your rel with God? How are we tempted to give up or coast
even at this point in the semester? What might it mean to press on toward
the goal?

2. How to stand firm in the Lord: In vs. 15+ Paul shifts from talking
about his own rel with Christ to sharing some of his vision for the
Philippians’ spiritual lives. (He concludes it all in 4:1 by saying that
this is how they should stand firm in the Lord). What’s Paul hope for the
Philippians? (that they will adopt the same attitude toward their
spiritual growth. If any of them have something in mind less than total
commitment, God will make that clear as well. At least that they would not
regress but live up to what they’ve already attained).

3. A warning against the easy road to destruction: Why’s he urge the
Philippians to join together in following his example? why’s it so
important for them to press on for the goal? (it’s easy to take a
different road than Paul, Jesus, the cross. Phil’s need to be careful to
imitate those on the right road.) what’s Paul warning them about? who’s
he talking about?(nonChns or people who think they’re Christians but
aren’t? Libertines, opposite of the legalists. Younger son as opposed to
older son). “Enemies of the cross of Christ”? (want it easy—no suffering) what’s it mean that “their god is their stomach”? (“appetites” is more
accurate; they worship their own pleasures; the temporary nourishment and
pleasure of the hour; a deep self-centeredness). “their glory is their
shame”? (they’re proud of things they should be ashamed of—not repentant—
they value stuff opposite of what God values). “their mind is on earthly
things”(distracted and obsessed by what they can see and touch now. No
eternal perspective. No vision of God).

How are we tempted to take the easy road rather than follow Christ even in
his sufferings? What “appetites” are we tempted to fill/worship? (sex,
people pleasing, ambition, riches, power, reputation, respect, addictions,
etc). How are we too focused on earthly things?

4. Citizenship in heaven: Paul gives them an analogy for themselves:
citizenship is in heaven. What’s this mean to them? (Phillippians were
also citizens of Rome. They prided themselves on being romans, dressed
like Romans and often spoke Latin) What’s it like to have your citizenship
in one place and yet be living in another? (kinda schizo; easy to forget
the place and values of your home country because you focus on what you
see; a longing for your home country; *Internat’l students may especially
be able to relate to this) How would it help the Philippians to know that
their citizenship is in heaven? (we have a higher purpose and goal and
calling than our stomachs; we have a home in heaven, a place where we
belong; special privileges of being a citizen of heaven).

What might it mean for us to live as citizens of heaven? (bolder
evangelists; stronger conscience convicting us when we’re not living like
citizens of heaven; have eternal perspective; God is in focus; we dont
conform to the culture of this world; we know that this world isnt our home-
-we dont get too comfy here; see ourselves as representatives of heaven and
take that responsibility more seriously).

Philippians Chapter 3 Notes for manuscript study
v. 1: Joy. How is joy “a safeguard” (what does that word mean?) What does
actively choosing to rejoice guard you from? Why does he need to repeat
this? Object of joy.

v. 2. Dogs: What are they? Why use this strong language—doesn’t seem
very Christian, does it? (wanting people to get circumcised, become
cultural Jews and follow Jewish practices before they will be recognized as
believers—dogs/gentiles—what was so dangerous about this?) Dogs are
people who want you to take your pride from how well you perform. Always
using shame/guilt/authority in order to get you to climb ladders, or build
reusme’s. Striving for confidence in the flesh. People like this are not
necessarily visciously controlling—but just sold-out, focused on climbing
the ladder. If you are ladder climbing then you will perpetrate the system
on others. Religious people incredibly prone to this. (Read from David
Hanson, Art of Pastoring)

What will make you vulnerable to Dogs: building resume and letting that
consume you.
What goes on a resume? Paul gives his for us—how would you categorize
these things? (family—race, heritage, education, passion or
accomplishments, religion/holiness). Involves not only what we have but
what we wish we had. If you give yourself to building this, promoting
this, then others around you will start to do it to. Image of dogs—
running in packs, snarl each other on, constantly bickering to be top dog.

How can you BEWARE?
a)honor right people
b)joy in Jesus and the gospel
c) Count your resume as garbage: crap.
—self-reliance is the enemy of faith (not an end in itself to consider it
crap) gain Christ
—v9 crucial. See yourself as patient of a Dr. rather than P.A. or nurse.
(flesh this out)
(make contrasting list of how they would talk to a Dr. Explain some signs
of each: wanting to pay for everybody all the time, willing to receive;
give advice vs. asking for help; )

E.g. of my X with cancer.
E.g. missionary needs to see himself as invalid: X when I was little—how
that helped me know that God was good. E.g of some friends who left faith
and why

Fill out your spiritual resume.—put mine on overhead: talk in small
groups.

Other dimension to this: faith always works itself out practically in
love: in evangelism! (Faith meaningless words unless lived out in
practical relationships. Love is impossible without faith). Paul didn’t
just decided to abandon his culture and heritage. God put him in
situations where it was either hold on to his resume—or abandon it in
order to love somebody. In this case the things he mentioned were crucial
to reaching the Philippians. What he throws into trash heap

Add last column: who would you reach if you were willing to throw these
things on the trash heap, who might be willing to hear you? put names in
there. Talk about them

v.13 to clarify, Paul presents another analogy. Race: Not simply a
matter of trashing your resume, but asking us to look at what race we are
running. If interested in running, then you don’t eat huge bowls of ice-
cream drink egg nog the night before. Race here is towards Jesus—opposite
race of ladder climbing. What is the opposite of ladder climbing? Not
apathy. Abandoning the ladder climbing is moving us out of the wrong race—
then Paul goes on to urge us to run this race with every bone in our body
and don’t stop: What is this race? straining forward to know Jesus, to
love the way that he does.

Addressing another temptation: to set the finish line too early. What
prize do most olympic runners get? What does Paul look forward to getting. How much more important is what he’s offering? Put in language of Dr.
analogy: diligently taking medicine with heart set on a goal.

v. 15: If you are mature then you will live this way! Total commitment.

How might readers look at Paul at this point in his life?
crashed too soon—burned out; or “made it” arrived, on verge of martyredom
Paul says neither: pressing on: he’s not setting the goal line down yet:
fruitful labor. Still following the Dr.s instructions.

What are our temptations in putting goal line down too soon (or to quit
following regimen)
—graduation
—leading a small group
—finished with finals—now I can coast for the summer
—in difficult relationships
—in area of personal growth
—in telling family or friends about Jesus.
—after mission project: (e.g. of roommates who bc Christians after Daytona
because people trashed their “right” to sleep)

At bottom of our desire to “call it quits” for a while, is question of
whether God is a good Dr. or not. Question of trust: whether we trust God
has to do with our salvation. Is he trying to get something out of us or
is he in process of saving life—everything single thing that God asks us
to do is simply for our own good. This is not a race to perform, it’s a
race to receive the only thing that our souls are starving for.

v.19 God is belly: don’t let something get in the way of Jesus. Esau and
bowl of soup. “Beloved!” I am telling you this because I love you—I care
about you. If something getting in the way, then get rid of it. Make a
decision right now, not to end the race too soon. Make decision right now
to throw off anything that will prevent you from having this relationship
with Jesus. Dating non-Christian, career goals, etc. Pride, trying to
have it all together, tyring to be cool, hate asking for help, desire to be
right, trying to please the wrong person… (seen people abandon
relationship with God simply because they wanted something stupid) Here’s
the place to do it—where the fog clears and you’ve soaked in Scripture.
Make some decisions.

Reflection times: “I too have reason for confidence in the flesh…”

My Resume

What I have (or wish I had)? How Benefits Me? How this might this keep Who? me away from the Doctor?
Family/Heritage/Culture/Education
Personal gifts
Zeal (Accomplishments)
Religion
Stuff
My Campus Fellowship

Phil 4:2-9 It’s obvious that there has been some conflict between these two
women, Euodia and Syntyche, but that Paul feels a lot of pride and
affection toward them. He really wants them to resolve their conflict by
agreeing in the Lord. It might be helpful to focus your discussion of this
passage thru the lens of resolving interpersonal conflict. I love this
passage because it is about finding peace in the midst of both external
conflict and internal anxiety.

Maybe think through some time you have been in conflict with someone.
Share what that was like.

1. What do you think it means to “agree with eachother in the Lord.” Does
it mean don’t disagree? How can we disagree about things but still be in
harmony? Do you have examples in your own life of this.

2. Because the letter was to read to the congregation, Paul has made
public the strife between these two workers. What does that say about the
Biblical perspective on interpersonal conflict? (conflict affects the whole
body, and healing takes place thru the body).

3. How is this different from how we try to resolve conflict? -ignoring it, not dealing with it -keeping it seccret. -or making it public anyway but through gossip or complaining What makes you uncomfortable about resolving conflict the way Paul
tries?

4. Is anyone in conflict now? (You could share and pray about that with
them)

5. Vs 4 -“Rejoice!” Why does he add this here? Isn’t conflict a serious
issue? Ask the group if they have experienced any blessings that have been
born out of the experience of interpersonal conflict (ie increased
understanding, intimacy, forgiveness…) Paul is constantly calling us to have positive responses to negative
situations.

6. How is gentleness or a forebearing spirit helpful in resolving
conflict. How is it different from how we are tempted to act when in
conflict with someone?

7. “The Lord is near.” Paul also is constantly trying to get us to see
the spiritual realities behind our earthly circumstances. He does this
when he notes that Euod. and Synt.‘s names are in the book of life despite
their recent unpleasantness. How does seeing that the Lord is near help us
when we are in a conflict?

8. Vs. 6 “Do not be anxious about anything.” Is he serious? Is this
possible? Doesn’t it seem almost reckless? What are the things that produce anxiety for us? ( conflict, future,
ants…) What are some things that are causing us to have anxiety tonite? What are the real reasons behind our anxiety? ( fear of not having
control, inability to trust God, not believing that God really really does
love us.) What would it look like to live without any anxiety at all? It’s a
very revolutionary idea.

9. What is Paul’s suggested response to anxiety? What is the result? What does it mean that peace will “guard” your
heart in Christ Jesus. What areas of your life do you dream of having this
peace?

10. When is it most diffucult for you to keep your minds dwelling on the
things listed in verse 8. How would it be helpful to apply this verse when
you were in conflict with someone. (Again, Paul wants us to have a pos.
response in neg situations. Think on things that are noble, excellent,
beautiful. Get your mind out of the gutter. This is not another hoop to
jump thru – this is the pathway to peace, to life.)

11. What are some things we are dwelling on right now that are not these
things?

12. What are some pos. responses we cna take to neg. situations we are in
right now. -live in harmony in the Lord -rejoice! -don’t be anxious about anything at all – instead pray and give
thanks. -think on things that are beautiful and excellent

13. Is there any conflict or point of anxiety that you need help (healing
in the context of the body) in resolving. Something we could pray through
as a group?

Philippians 4:10-23 “Sharing in each others’ troubles”

Intro
1. Paul spends the bulk of this section thanking the Philippians for their
gifts. How do you usually feel when someone’s been really generous with
you? How do you usually relate to them after they’ve given? (easy to want
to pay them back or to be kinda embarrassed to talk about it too much) Why
is he so glad they gave and looked out for his needs? (because it’s a good
sign of their faith; Paul has different perspective on giving—rather than
your loss/my gain, he sees Phil’s generosity as their gain and his gain).
Can you think of times when giving has been really beneficial to you or to
others who gave? (ex: leaders giving X $ to fly home for friend’s
funeral).

What other reasons do you see for Paul’s excitement about their generosity?
How does Paul describe their relationship in this passage? (it’s deepened
their relationship—greater interconnectedness and sense of investment in
each others’ lives). How has giving and receiving affected your
relationships?

How can we share in each others’ troubles? Do you need to take a risk to
receive and let people know of your needs? or to give? (Maybe take some
time at the end of your discussion to have people make a list of their
needs and to share them with each other) What are some needs people may
have at this point in the year? (chapter camp schol., academic help,
friendship, wise counsel and support, housing, affirmation and honor, etc)

2. When Paul’s in need, he still doesn’t feel like he’s truly in need,
because he’s learned to be content. What’s Paul’s secret for contentment?
(God gives him strength; similar to Phil 4:6-9; contentment is a choice; if
God is with you, you can make it through everything; Paul has all he really
needs and wants).

What circumstances most control/ undo your contentment? what rollercoasters
do you ride? How could God make a difference in these areas of your life? What would it be like to be content even when circumstances aren’t great?

3. Final greetings. What’s Paul communicating to the Philippians when he
mentions Caesar’s household? see Acts 9:15. people from Caesar’s palace
are becoming Christians!