ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS, Philippians 2, Saturday, August 30, 2025
Philippians 1 focused on the importance of perspective. A Christian's life, lived for Christ, may be hard or easy, but all things can give God glory. Chapter 2 frames this concept through the humility shown by Jesus Christ. His willingness to obey God the Father, even being crucified, is the ultimate example of humble service. In return, His name will be honored more than any other. Paul's instructions regarding Timothy and Epaphroditus also form a bridge to chapter 3, where Paul will contrast these good men with the dangers of false teachers. A Source: https://www.bibleref.com/Philippians/2/Philippians-chapter-2.html)
Have the Attitude of Christ, Verses 1-11, Team Discussion
1Is there
any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any
fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me
truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and
working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be
selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better
than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests,
but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must
have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though
he was God, he did
not think of equality with God as
something to cling to. 7 Instead,
he gave up his divine privileges, he took the humble position of a slave, and was born as a human being. When he
appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to
God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore,
God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave
him the name above all other names, 10 that at
the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every
tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.
SECTION QUESTIONS:
1. Why do you believe unity is so important?
2. Acronym for joy is JOY, Jesus, Others, and then Yourself
3. What is the meaning of verses 6-7?
Shine Brightly for Christ, Verses 12-18, DESTINY
12 Dear
friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that
I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your
salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is
working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. 14 Do
everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one
can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like
bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold
firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be
proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But
I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to
God,[e] just like your
faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you
should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
SECTION QUESTIONS:
4. What do you think Paul is saying in verses 17-18?
Paul Commends Timothy, Verses 19-24, Team Discussion
19 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Paul Commends Epaphroditus, Verses 25-30, KESHIA
25 Meanwhile,
I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother,
co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending
him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you
heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in
fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would
not have one sorrow after another. 28 So I am
all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to
see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him in
the Lord’s love[f] and with great joy,
and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked
his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing
for me what you couldn’t do from far away.
SECTION QUESTIONS:
5. There are many types of "co-workers" in the kingdom. They are necessary for the success of the kingdom of God. What are some essential co-laborers in the kingdom?
Confessions for Philippians, Chapter 2
1Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. (Philippians 2:1-2)
Heavenly Father, thank You for all that I have received in Christ, for Your love and the consolation that it brings, for Your grace, compassion, and the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Thank You that I am accepted in Christ and part of that heavenly company that has received life eternal by faith in Him. I pray that, together with my brothers and sisters in Christ, we may live in spiritual unity and godly harmony. May we be of one mind, maintain the same love, be united in spirit, and intent on one purpose which is to be increasingly transformed into the image and likeness of Christ. Loving Father, help me be united together to my brothers and sisters in Christ in love. Give me a humility of heart, and transform my mind into the mind of Christ so that I may think the thoughts that You would have me think so that I may be a channel of Your love to others. To His praise and glory, in Jesus’ name, AMEN.
16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. 17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,[e] just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. (Philippians 2:16-17)
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Word of God and the truth that it contains. I pray that I may hold fast to the Word of life so that my life may give honour to the Lord Who died for me and rose again to give me His eternal life. Bless all my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I pray that we may all grow in grace together as we press on toward the goal for the upward call in Jesus Christ our Lord. Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Paul who poured his life out, as a drink offering, over the faith of these self-sacrificing saints in Philippi. May I live my life as a living sacrifice and be prepared to suffer for the sake of Christ, no matter what the cost, for the joy of knowing that I am doing Your will. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.
20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News.
Heavenly Father, may my
life be one that exhibits the qualities, character, and fruit of the Spirit
that You desire from all Your children. Give me a Christ-like compassion for
others so that my life may be poured out as a drink offering of sacrifice and
service to Your praise and glory. Give me a quiet disposition, a peaceable and
teachable spirit whose singular desire is to do Your will. Heavenly Father,
thank You for the amazing insights that we can glean from the epistles of
Paul and from those who accompanied him on his various missionary journeys.
Thank You for dedicated ministers like Timothy, who faithfully taught the
Scriptures and whose lives have become an example of godly living to us all.
Help me to live my life in a way that honours Your name, and use me, I
pray, to be an instrument of encouragement and joy to others - looking to
Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, in Whose name I pray, AMEN.
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