Discussion Guide for Sunday, May 10, 2020

THE UPSIDE:
IT’S ALL IN HOW YOU SEE IT

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

Big Idea

This week, we get into the meat of Paul’s message to the Philippians. We’ve already learned that Paul wanted to accomplish four things with this letter: 1) to say thank you for their pastoral support gift, 2) to warn them of the false teachers, 3) to encourage them to practice the spiritual grace of joy, and 4) to give them a report on his circumstances. In Philippians 1:12-20, Paul shares about his experiences, but in a peculiar way. Rather than sharing the facts of his situation (that’s recorded in Acts 21-28), Paul shares the effects of his situation. He opens this section with the long and short of things in verse 12: “Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.” God is using Paul’s circumstances to advance His purposes.

Rather than being discouraged because of what he’s going through, but he decides to concentrate on two higher objectives: 1) Christ is proclaimed because of his circumstances, and 2) Christ will be exalted through his circumstances. People who had never heard the gospel were having the opportunity to hear the gospel because of Paul’s imprisonment. People who were hesitant to preach Christ were encouraged to share the gospel message because of Paul’s bold defense of the gospel. Of course, some had ulterior motives, but that was beside the point. The message was getting out, and Paul was convinced that regardless of what happened God would be glorified. In the meantime, he would be sustained through the prayers of the saints, the support of the Holy Spirit, and his enduring hope in God’s deliverance.

Discussion Questions

• This passage teaches us that although the facts can be discouraging, the effects can be an altogether different story. What good has come out of your negative situations?
• Paul lists several things that sustained him through his imprisonment – the prayers of the saints, the support of the Holy Spirit, and his enduring hope in God’s deliverance. What has sustained you through difficult seasons?

Prayer Focus

Thank You for being a God who works all things together for my good. Help me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind so that I can see You advancing Your purposes through my situation. Allow others to see Your work in my life and come to trust in You for the first time or to commit serving You with boldness. Thank You for putting people in my life who regularly pray for me and for the provision of Your Holy Spirit that assures me that I will not be disappointed because of my enduring hope in You.

Next Steps

Philippians 1:12-20 is an exercise of choosing to look on the bright side of things. He could have been discouraged, and he could have been discouraging in his report. However, Paul decided to focus on the positive effects of what he was going through and to redirecting the focus of the Philippians toward those positive effects. This week, make a conscious effort to see the bright side of things. Yes, be aware of the facts, but intentionally put more emphasis on the effects than on the facts.

Want to Get Ahead?

Read and meditate on Philippians 1:21-30 in your devotional time this week.