JOY IN JESUS’ PEOPLE
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Philippians 1:1-8 NASB
1 Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus,
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, 5 in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
OUTLINE
- New Identity 1:1-2
- New Community 1:3-6
- New Capacity 1:7-8
QUESTIONS
- Read Acts 16. How did God use closed doors and frustration to direct and accomplish His will? How do you react to frustrations and closed doors? Do you believe He is able to direct your path? (Prov 3:5-6)
- (v. 1:1-2) What does it mean to be a saint? What baggage do you carry from your past that weighs you down? How does the Gospel address this and set us free?
- (v. 1:3-6) The church is a precious gift, a new community that practices the Gospel together. How do you view the church? What wounds do you have from being part of an unhealthy body? How has this made you jaded, cynical, critical, or skeptical of the church? What would repentance and healing look like?
- (v. 1:7-8) The Good News of Jesus gives us a new capacity to love others. What keeps you from loving? In what area can you grow this week in loving?