Discussion Guide for Sunday, May 3, 2020

IT FEELS GOOD LOVING SOMEBODY WHEN SOMEBODY LOVES YOU BACK!

Series: Choose Joy: An Exposition of
the Book of Philippians

Big Idea

When we studied the names of God, we learned that God often allows crisis situations in our lives that genuinely test our faith because He wants to reveal Himself to us. However, He also allows such crisis situations, not just to reveal Himself, but to reveal the people in our lives. That’s what happened in Paul’s life. He was in a crisis situation – under house arrested in Rome awaiting the final verdict from the emperor, and this crisis has once again shown that the Philippian church really did love Paul. Their love was not just with words, but with deeds. The Philippians has provided financial support on at least four occasions, and Paul is writing to them to say “you are in my heart” and I love you with “the affection of Christ” (Philippians 1:7-8).

The lesson of this week’s text is that people who love you think the best and want the best for us. Paul demonstrated this in Philippians 1:1-11. Paul thought the best about the Philippians. He calls attention to their relationship with God by referring to them as “the saints in Christ” (v. 1) who participated in the gospel (v. 5) and partook of grace (v. 7). Yes, there were overseers and deacons in the church, but their position in the church was not as important as their position in Christ. Also, Paul wanted the best for the Philippians. In Philippians 1:6, Paul shifts his attention from the already to the not yet and talks about his confidence in God. God had begun a good work in them, and God was responsible for completing that work. Until God completes His work in them, Paul resolved to trust God with the progress of the Philippians. This is why Paul prayed for the Philippians. Paul’s prayer included both praise (vv. 3-4) and petition (vv. 9-11). His desire was to see the church glorify God by loving people like Jesus loved people.

Discussion Questions

• The word “saint” in the original language literally means “to be dedicated to God.” How are you living out your dedication to God in your everyday life?
• What area in your life do you trust God to continue working on? How can you cooperate with God in “perfecting” process?

Prayer Focus

Thank You for loving me so much, Father. Your Word says that Your thoughts about me are good, and not evil. They are designed to give me a hope, a future, and an expected end. I trust you to complete the work You’ve begun in me. Teach me how to cooperate with what You are doing in my life so that I will bear the fruits of righteousness and that You will be glorified in all that I do.

Next Steps

Paul’s prayer for the Philippians was that their love would abound more and more (v. 9). They possessed the spiritual gifts of hospitality and generosity, and they had used those gifts to demonstrate their love for the apostle. However, Paul wanted their love for God and for people to lead to a lifestyle that resembled the life of Jesus. For example, the word “blameless” in verse 10 means that the Philippians would live in a way that would not cause others to stumble. Pay close attention to how you handle trying situations this week. Be ever mindful that someone else is watching and that your behavior might cause him/her to stumble.

Want to Get Ahead?

Read and meditate on Philippians 1:12-20 in your devotional time this week.