OPEN

As you open up tonight, Besides members of your family, who are you most thankful for?

What jumped out at you from the message this week? What led you to really think or even better, to change your actions?

INTRODUCTION

What jumped out at you from the video in this session? What are some ways that we might use this to live on mission with Christ?

READ
READ Philippians 1:3-7
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. 7It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.

How would you describe Paul’s perspective? What emotions does he express towards them?

Paul says the Philippians are his partners in the gospel. What might he mean?

What does Paul mean when he says God will complete the good work he began in them?

Paul insists his “feelings” toward the Philippians are right or appropriate. Why does he have to clarify this? Why might someone consider his perspective inappropriate?

DIVE DEEPER

How might God’s grace help someone suffer for, defend and confirm the gospel?

Paul says he yearns for the Philippians “with the affection of Christ Jesus”. What does this reveal about Christ’s heart? How is this an explanation for Paul’s confidence God will complete his work in them?

What are three things we can do to build the kind of life that will ensure someone saying ten years from now, “I thank my God when I remember you”?

BIG IDEA
Paul writes from prison to this church that has partnered with him in ministry. He uses the word joy 16 times in a short 104 verses to communicate the realities of joy in suffering, joy in giving, and joy in partnering with others to share the gospel. The Greek word behind “partnership” is sometimes translated “fellowship.” Unfortunately, for many Christians today “fellowship” has connotations of merely getting together for food. So “partnership” is a better word, especially here. Remember, the Philippians prayerfully and financially supported Paul’s missionary work. They shared the gospel and shared in gospel work. Remarkably, they even indirectly shared in Paul’s “imprisonment and … defense and confirmation of the gospel”

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How can Paul be confident or convinced that God will continue to work in the Philippians’ lives?

How do your circumstances, both good and bad, affect your feelings toward those who are partners in the gospel?

Is there anyone in your life who you would consider a partner in the gospel?