OVERVIEW OF SCRIPTURE
Prior to group, get a better understanding of the overall biblical text with these resources.
Main Scripture: Philippians 1:3-6 and Philippians 9-10
Introduction to Acts: Click here for a brief summary on the Philippians.
KNOW
Allow these questions to help you better understand what Scripture says contextually.
READ PHILIPPIANS 1:3–6
While he was imprisoned in Rome with the potential of being executed, Paul’s primary focus in his writing to the Philippian church was not his own precarious situation, but the encouragement of the church body. In verses 3-5, he speaks of his immense gratitude and joyful remembrance of those in Philippi (Acts 16) who had partnered with him in the gospel from the very beginning.
- If you found yourself in a similar situation as Paul (being imprisoned with the possibility of execution) simply for preaching the gospel, do you think your attitude, outlook, and concern for others would mimic Paul’s?
- What does he tell us soon after in Philippians 2:3-4?
We will often find ourselves in painful or difficult circumstances. In those times it’s okay to be concerned for ourselves, yet at the same time…
- How can we look beyond ourselves to the point where our utmost concern and even the object of our prayers is not ourself, but our fellow believers?
- Do you find yourself interceding on behalf of others who are hurting or lost when you yourself are hurting?
- How can placing our focus on the spiritual needs of those around us bring us joy and peace amidst our pain? How is this a mark of true spiritual maturity? (Galatians 6:2, Ephesians 6:18, James 5:16)
While salvation from the penalty of sin happens at the moment a person accepts Christ, the process of becoming more like Christ is exactly that: a process. Paul is completely sure that this “sanctification” will continue in the lives of these believers. In particular, this assurance is grounded in the work of Jesus Christ. We can have absolute and full confidence that God will one day in fact bring to completion the good work that He started in us when we were first saved.
- It’s easy to fall into the trap that our spiritual growth is accomplished by our works and our hands. However, what warning did Paul issue to the Galatian church in Galatians 3:2-3 regarding this thinking?
- What do Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 2:8-10, and Philippians 2:13 tell us is the remedy to this warning?
- As Jesus works in and on us, what are we called to do? See John 15:4–5 and discuss.
Re-read Philippians 1:6. The greek word used here for the phrase “bring it to completion” is “epiteleo,” which combines a preposition and a verb to give the intensified meaning of “fully completed.” God is a worker who completes His works. Charles Spurgeon says, “Where is there an instance of God’s beginning any work and leaving it incomplete?
- What confidence, encouragement, and hope can we draw from the following verses regarding God’s faithfulness and ability to complete the work He began in us? Psalm 36:5, 89:33, 100:5, 117:2; Lamentations 3:22–23; John 10:27–30; Romans 8:38–39; 2 Timothy 2:11–13
- Going back to our last series in 1 Peter, what does Peter remind us of in 1 Peter 1:3-5 that perfectly echos what Paul is telling the Philippian believers here?
Paul’s prayer in verses 9–10 is that these believer’s love would abound more and more. We are most likely very familiar with the popular biblical verses about love, but…
- What does it truly mean to love others the way that God first loved us and why is this so important as we mature in our believership?
- Although 1 John 4:7-8 may be very commonly quoted, what do these verses teach us about the very source of our love? Why is it absolutely impossible to love others properly without God and where does our genuine love come from (Romans 5:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)?
- Why is love a virtue that surpasses all others, as well as a prerequisite for all others? Reference Matthew 22:36-40.
- As believers, we are called to a supernatural love that goes against our natural, sinful inclination. How does Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:43-48 confirm this?
- How can the depth of our ability to love others be a litmus test of our very believership in Christ? Reference 1 John 3:14 and John 13:35.
- If God sees fit to love us in all our mess, is there anyone we know who is unworthy of receiving our love? Reference John 13:13-16 and Philippians 2:1-8. Do you truly view others through a lens of godly love? How would seeing other people in this way change your behavior to them?
Verse 9 tells us our love must be with “knowledge and all discernment” in order to approve what is excellent.
- How are love and knowledge intertwined and connected and why is real knowledge a requirement for true godly love?? Reference James 3:17, Colossians 1:9, and Romans 15:14.
- Discernment is also necessary for approving what is excellent. This doesn’t mean simply distinguishing good from bad, for even the demons can do that (James 2:19), but determining what is truly excellent in the sight of the Lord. What do Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:14-15, and Matthew 10:16 have to say about this? How can we be confident that we are even capable of doing this? Reference 1 Corinthians 2:16.
- Sanctification is a process which begins the moment we are saved and continues throughout our lifetime. Why is spiritual maturation so vital to our christian walks and what does it say about us if we are not growing closer to God as time progresses? Reference Ephesians 4:13-15 and Hebrews 5:12-14.
GROW
These questions are geared towards application of Scripture and Sunday’s message.
As individuals, we tend to consistently gravitate toward a specific or particular sin.
- Have you ever been caught in a cycle of returning to the same sin after breaking free from it?
- Why is this a dangerous situation and what allowed you to finally be released from this cycle?
Thinking about today’s message…
- Why will our personal attempts to “fix” our sin problems always result in failure?
- What are the differences between instituting our own fixes and following Jesus, allowing the Holy Spirit to work within us to mold and shape us?
Paul’s prayer to the Christians in Philippi was for their love to abound more and more.
- What is the difference between a believer who truly loves others enough to see past their mess into their deep need for Christ, and someone who looks down from a moral high ground attempting to get others to follow along with a list of rules and regulations?
- Why are Christians often known for the latter as opposed to the former?
What distinguishes head knowledge from heart knowledge? How does love make all the difference?
God is doing a good work in you right now.
- How or in what area of your life is He challenging, changing, or shaping you right now?
Paul loved the Philippians and wanted to see them grow in Christ. Verses 3-6 are a reminder that God is the One who does a work in us, to sanctify us and make us more like Him. Our spiritual growth starts with our salvation and is an ongoing process until Christ returns.
- Does the thought of this lifelong process seem tedious to you or grace-filled? Why do you think that is?
- As you reflect on your life, can you think of people or situations God used to sanctify you? How so?
- Have you observed similar characteristics of those that have supported or encouraged you through the sanctification process? If so, what were they and how can you develop those traits?
GO
Take a next step and put your faith into action!
Paul prays for love, knowledge, and discernment for the Philippians. Biblical love requires us to know God, His love for us, and His commands for how we are to love and serve others.
- In what ways do you need to grow in love, knowledge, and discernment? Begin with prayer. Ask God to continue to grow you in these areas and be obedient to His leading as He does so.
- Paul prays that Christians will be “blameless” or ”without offense.” Is there anyone you’ve wrongly offended and potentially harmed the name of Jesus? This week may be an opportunity to seek forgiveness from them, stand firm on God’s Word, not condone sin (if applicable), and show them the love of Jesus all at the same time.
PRAYER
Pray for one another and bring your requests to God.
Northwest Prayer Highlight: Pray for:
- Gospel opportunities
- Ways to leverage what God has blessed you with, whether much or little, for eternal impact
Small Group Prayer Requests: Take some time to gather prayer requests from the group. Have someone write these down to see how God moves and answers prayer.