Philippians Conclusion

Well, we’ve finished studying the book of Philippians. As a conclusion to our study, try reading through the entire book in one sitting.

Remember that the book of Philippians is really a letter that Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi – people like Lydia and the jailer (see Acts 16). The Philippians were generous in their support to Paul, and looked to him for guidance and teaching, since he had probably led many of them to Christ.

Go ahead and read through the book of Philippians.

What have we learned?
Look over any notes you made as you read through the book. What stands out to you? What have you learned by reading this letter?

Every week, one of our questions has been, “What can we learn about God from this passage?” Look over your list. What did you write down?

Are there any verses from this book that you want to memorize? Spend a little bit of time every day reviewing those verses and committing them to memory.

How have you changed since the beginning of our study? Have you cut back on the complaining? Do you find yourself asking others about their day? Have you chosen to spend time in prayer every day? Are you more generous with your time and resources?

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit... (Philippians 4:23)

Philippians 4:10-23

Read through Philippians 4:10-23. As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: Here we see that the Philippians supported Paul financially and gave him supplies. What can we learn from them?

• Remember that the Philippians were generally poor people. And yet they collected money and supplies to send to Paul.
• The Philippians gave to Paul more than once. They had sent him a gift when he was in Thessalonica, too.
• After a letter full of “you need to ___” statements, Paul takes a moment to affirm what they are already doing well, and encourages them to continue serving in this way.

Observation #2: Paul mentions a “sweet-smelling sacrifice.” What’s he talking about?

• In the Old Testament, people used to offer animal sacrifices to God, and the smell of that offering was pleasing to God.
• Paul calls the gifts of the Philippians a “sweet-smelling sacrifice” to let them know that their gifts were pleasing to God. They were behaving in a way that glorified Him.
• Even though we don’t offer animal sacrifices today, we can still offer our actions as an act of worship to God.

Observation #3: At the end of this letter, Paul refers to the Christians who work in Caesar’s palace. What does that tell us?

• Paul has been able to connect with and encourage the Christians at Rome, especially those who work in the palace – those who might be risking their lives to work for Caesar.
• It’s possible (pretty likely) that Paul had influenced some of the people in the palace to believe in Christ and decide to follow Him. Perhaps Paul told them about the Philippians when he received their gifts, and those stories encouraged the new believers.
• Even though the believers in Rome were separated from the believers in Philippi, they were still united together through their decision to follow Christ, just like we are united to believers in other countries.

Read through Philippians 4:10-23 again.

Questions:

1. Paul had learned to be content in every situation. What was his secret?
2. Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-29. What kinds of situations had Paul been in? Do you think it was always easy for him to be content?
3. What kind of “sacrifices” have you offered to God recently? Are they pleasing to Him
4. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Read through the book of Acts to find out what it was like to be an early follower of Christ – some of the struggles they faced, how their faith influenced their decisions, what they talked about, etc.

Philippians 4:2-9

Read through Philippians 4:2-9. As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: There are two women mentioned here – Euodia and Syntyche. Who are they?

• All we know about these two women were that they were part of the Church at Philippi and that they were arguing with each other.
• Here, Paul names a specific instance of how disagreement and arguing show up in the Philippian church, and he urges them to work things out (“live in unity”).

Observation #2: Paul addresses our prayer lives.

• The word worry means “to be pulled in different directions.” It also gives us the idea of “being strangled.”
• Instead of worrying about something, Paul encourages the Philippians (and us!) to pray about it instead. This passage implies three kinds of prayer: (1) general praying – adoring and worshiping God, (2) supplication – sharing our needs with God, and (3) appreciation – giving thanks to God.
• If we “do this”, we are promised God’s peace, “which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.”

Observation #3: Paul addresses our thought lives.

• What goes on in our minds influences how we feel and how we act. For example, if I think that my teacher is being unfair to me, I’m going to resent her and be rude to her. Everything she does will be tainted by my belief that she is being unfair, even if she isn’t.
• Paul knows the power of our thoughts. That’s why he encourages the Philippians to “fix their thoughts” on true and honorable things, things that are pure and right.
• By thinking about these things, the behavior of the Philippians would better reflect that of a “citizen of heaven.”

Read through Philippians 4:2-9 again.

Questions:

1. How do you think Euodia and Syntyche felt when they were “called out” and mentioned by name in Paul’s letter?
2. Are you a part of any argument or disagreement that is causing division?
3. How does worry affect you? Do you lose sleep? have an upset stomach? get really quiet?
4. How are you behaving today? What thoughts are driving that behavior?
5. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: This week, try to pray using Philippians 4:6 as a guide – adoration/worship, supplication, appreciation. If you don’t know what to ask for, return to the prayer of Philippians 1:9-11 and ask for love, knowledge, wisdom, character, and the fruit of the Spirit.

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Read through Philippians 3:12-4:1. As you read, jot down any questions you have or any details that stand out.

A Closer Look:
Observation #1: Paul writes about “forgetting the past.” What does he mean?

• To us, forgetting means that we don’t remember something; we forget to feed the dog, or we forget to grab our homework on the way to school.
• Paul uses forgetting in the sense that he refuses to let the past dictate his behavior. Have you ever done something you’ve regretted? Paul shows us that what is in the past, is in the past. Instead of focusing on everything we’ve done wrong and feeling bad about it, Paul encourages us to look forward to our future with Christ.

Observation #2: It sounds like Paul is saying that we must earn our salvation, by “working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be.” What’s going on?

• This letter to the Philippians is all about living as a citizen of heaven. Paul made it clear in the last portion of the letter that we are not saved by our efforts, but only by the grace of God.
• Paul is saying, however, that our behaviors need to change once we accept Christ. Remember that the Philippians had been arguing with each other and were being selfish and proud. Instead, they needed to live in unity, be humble, and serve each other.

Observation #3: Paul pleads with the Philippians to “stay true to the Lord.” Why?

• Because “there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ” (v. 18).
• Because the Judaizers were trying to convince the Philippians to earn their salvation instead of relying on Christ.
• It’s tough to follow Christ when people are trying to steer you down the wrong path. So Paul writes to his friends – to Lydia, to the jailer – and encourages them to stay focused on Christ. As the Message puts it, “Don’t waver. Stay on track, steady in God.”

Read through Philippians 3:12-4:1 again.

Questions:

1. Read Acts 22:3-21, where Paul shares his story with a crowd of people in Jerusalem. What was Paul’s past? What might he have been trying to forget?
2. Why is our behavior so important?
3. Who is trying to steer you down the wrong path? Where have you been “wavering”?
4. What can we learn about God from this passage?

Challenge: Memorize Proverbs 4:25-27 this week. But don’t just memorize it; think about what it says. You can also check out Hebrews 12:12-13; Proverbs 2:20; and Proverbs 3:5-6.