Philippians

The Joy of Living in Christ

Dr. David Jeremiah

• Publisher: HarperChristian Resources
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9780310091707
• eBook ISBN: 9780310091714
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Religion

Experience joy in any situation...

Follow Dr. Jeremiah through the letter of Philippians in a chapter-by-chapter study that will help you understand what it meant to the people at the time it was written, and what it means to Christians today.

The believers in Philippi were experiencing both concern for Paul while he was in prison and spiritual discouragement. Paul wrote this loving letter to encourage them in their faith and to remind them that there was a greater future in store for him and for them outside this world. Paul even admits the tension he feels between living to continue sharing the gospel and dying so he can be with Christ. This mindset allowed Paul to remain joyful in the midst of suffering and he knew the same would be true of the Philippi believers as well.

Each of this study's twelve lessons is clearly organized to include:

• Getting Started: An opening question to introduce you to the lesson.
• Setting the Stage: A short reflection to explain the context of the study.
• Exploring the Text: The Scripture reading for the lesson with related study questions.
• Reviewing the Story: Questions to help you identify key points in the reading.
• Applying the Message: Questions to help you apply the key ideas to their lives.
• Reflecting on the Meaning: A closing reflection on the key teachings in the lesson.

—ABOUT THE SERIES—

The Jeremiah Bible Study Series captures Dr. David Jeremiah's forty-plus years of commitment in teaching the Word of God. In each study, you'll gain insights into the text, identify key stories and themes, and be challenged to apply the truths you uncover to your life. By the end of each study, you'll come away with a clear and memorable understanding of that Bible book.

Each study also contains a Leader's Guide.

LESSON one
THE JOY OF COMMUNITY
Philippians 1:1–11

GETTING STARTED

Who are the people you are most thankful for in your life? Why are you thankful for them?

[Your Response Here]

SETTING THE STAGE

As we read the opening words of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, we are immediately struck by the joy and thankfulness the apostle felt for this community of believers. In the space of a few short verses, he shares that he is thankful to God whenever he thinks of them, how their example fills him with joy, how he values their fellowship, and how he longs to see them again.

For more than a decade, the members of this small church in the Roman colony of Philippi had flourished as a close-knit group of believers. The apostle Paul, who had founded the church some ten years before, simply could not hide the deep attachment he felt to them. Even though he had been separated from them due to his imprisonment, he wanted them to know they were still continually in his thoughts and prayers.

It can be a bit startling to think that this great man of God, who had accomplished so much in establishing the churches, was desperate for the fellowship of his Christian friends. But in truth, Paul was built just like us—and none of us were designed to do life on our own. God created us for fellowship and for relationship. He wanted their fellowship to continue in spite of the miles of separation that lay between them. He desired their love for one another to grow.

As Paul communicates his feelings for these believers, he touches on many of the prerequisites for loving relationships in any church. His words remind us that we should all be thankful for our fellow brothers and sisters. The question is . . . are we thankful for them?

EXPLORING THE TEXT

Greeting (Philippians 1:1–7)

¹ Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

² Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³ I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, ⁴ always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, ⁵ for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; ⁷ just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace.

1. The opening line of first-century letters almost always included the name of the sender, the name of the recipient, and a general greeting. In this case, Paul indicates the letter is from him and Timothy (his co-worker), but adds that they are “bondservants of Christ” (verse 1). The Greek term for bondservant refers not to a hired servant but rather to a slave. What point is Paul making by identifying himself and Timothy in this manner?

[Your Response Here]

2. Paul’s greeting reveals a great deal about his relationship and past history with these believers. How would you describe his feelings toward them? How does he view them as partakers in his mission of spreading the gospel (see verses 3–7)?

[Your Response Here]

Thankfulness and Prayer (Philippians 1:8–11)

⁸ For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ.

⁹ And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, ¹⁰ that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, ¹¹ being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

3. Paul next describes the content of his prayers for the Philippians. What does he ask God to provide to them? What does he hope this will accomplish in them (see verses 9–10)?

[Your Response Here]

4. Paul uses the phrase “fruits of righteousness” to describe the work he wants God to do in the lives of the believers (see verse 11). How would you describe these fruits?

[Your Response Here]

GOING DEEPER

The picture that Paul paints of the church in Philippi is a congregation that loves one another, is growing in the faith together, and is supporting the work of spreading the gospel. In many ways, this church reflects the harmony that was experienced in the very first church in Jerusalem. Luke tells us the following about that church in the book of Acts.

A Vital Church Grows (Acts 2:41–47)

⁴¹ Then those who gladly received [Peter’s] word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.⁴² And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. ⁴³ Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. ⁴⁴ Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ⁴⁵ and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

⁴⁶ So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

5. These events occurred shortly after Peter delivered a sermon in which he proclaimed Jesus to be the promised Messiah. How did the people respond to his message? What happened as a result—in spite of their different backgrounds (see verses 41–45)?

[Your Response Here]

6. What traits characterized this early body of believers (see verses 46–47)? What similar traits did the believers in Philippi possess?

[Your Response Here]

Paul’s thankfulness for the believers in Philippi reveals the church was doing well in loving one another and supporting the mission of spreading the gospel. This was not the case in every church that Paul had helped to found. In the following letter, he instructs a group of believers that was struggling with unity and how the body of Christ is supposed to function.

Unity and Diversity in One Body (1 Corinthians 12:20–26)

²⁰ But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. ²¹ And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” ²² No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³ And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, ²⁴ but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, ²⁵ that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. ²⁶ And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

7. Some of the believers in Corinth thought they possessed spiritual gifts that were more important than the other gifts—which was leading to issues of pride. How does Paul emphasize the importance of every member of the body of Christ (see verses 20–24)?

[Your Response Here]

8. Why is it important for believers to support and encourage one another (see verses 25–26)?

[Your Response Here]

REVIEWING THE STORY

Paul opens his letter by expressing his love and affection for the believers in Philippi—a community that had continually supported his work in sharing the gospel. He states that he is tha...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Ebook Instructions
• Contents
• Introduction to the Letter to the Philippians
• Lesson 1: The Joy of Community (Philippians 1:1–11)
• Lesson 2: The Joy of Adversity (Philippians 1:12–18)
• Lesson 3: The Joy of Integrity (Philippians 1:19–30)
• Lesson 4: The Joy of Unity (Philippians 2:1–11)
• Lesson 5: The Joy of Responsibility (Philippians 2:12–18)
• Lesson 6: The Joy of Ministry (Philippians 2:19–30)
• Lesson 7: The Joy of Humility (Philippians 3:1–11)
• Lesson 8: The Joy of Victory (Philippians 3:12–16)
• Lesson 9: The Joy of Maturity (Philippians 3:17–21)
• Lesson 10: The Joy of Harmony (Philippians 4:1–7)
• Lesson 11: The Joy of Security (Philippians 4:8–13)
• Lesson 12: The Joy of Serenity (Philippians 4:14–23)
• Leader’s Guide
• About Dr. David Jeremiah and Turning Point
• Stay Connected to Dr. David Jeremiah