How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the video and read this week's materials
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the weekly sermon and read through the main passage(s)
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
latest sermon
background
Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi is filled with profound gratitude and joy. Despite his imprisonment, he can delight because the Philippians have been faithful partners with him in the mission of the gospel. His joy is bolstered by his trust that God will finish the sanctification work He started in them.
Because Paul delights in the Philippians, he is committed to their well-being. He prays that their love may flourish, their understanding may grow, and they may be prepared for Christ’s return. His example teaches us that a happy church is a community where members find genuine delight in one another and willingly dedicate themselves to one another’s good.
Because Paul delights in the Philippians, he is committed to their well-being. He prays that their love may flourish, their understanding may grow, and they may be prepared for Christ’s return. His example teaches us that a happy church is a community where members find genuine delight in one another and willingly dedicate themselves to one another’s good.
OPEN
1. Who is someone whose presence or friendship always makes you happy? What makes that relationship so special?
reflect
2. Read Philippians 1:1-7. What do Paul’s words reveal about his attitude toward the Philippian believers? In what ways did their participation in his trials and ministry deepen his relationship with them?
3. How does Paul’s confidence in God’s work (verse 6) strengthen his joy and trust in the Philippians? How would knowing that God is at work in their lives affect how he responds to their shortcomings?
4. Read Philippians 1:8-11. Why does Paul pray for love, knowledge, and discernment to abound in the lives of the Philippians? How does the promise of Christ’s return shape what Paul desires for the Philippians in the present?
3. How does Paul’s confidence in God’s work (verse 6) strengthen his joy and trust in the Philippians? How would knowing that God is at work in their lives affect how he responds to their shortcomings?
4. Read Philippians 1:8-11. Why does Paul pray for love, knowledge, and discernment to abound in the lives of the Philippians? How does the promise of Christ’s return shape what Paul desires for the Philippians in the present?
apply
5. How does concentrating on your personal happiness actually reduce your experience of joy? According to Paul, what is the real way to cultivate joy in your life?
6. Do you tend to pray for love, discernment, and righteousness to grow in those you care about? How might praying for these qualities affect the way you relate to others?
7. As a Home Group, how can we do better at cultivating a community that truly looks out for one another and is dedicated to each other's well-being? What are some practical steps we can take this week?
6. Do you tend to pray for love, discernment, and righteousness to grow in those you care about? How might praying for these qualities affect the way you relate to others?
7. As a Home Group, how can we do better at cultivating a community that truly looks out for one another and is dedicated to each other's well-being? What are some practical steps we can take this week?
resources
Home Groups will resume August 23. If you are interested in joining a group, fill out the interest form below or contact Doug Barnwell at dbarnwell@fellowshipjackson.com.
We ask every Home Group participant to commit to the Four Essentials of a Healthy Group outlined in our Home Group Commitment. These essentials help ensure that every group stays healthy, welcoming, and spiritually meaningful for everyone involved. You can review those here.