The Epistles of
Paul
Philippians
Introduction: To help you get ready for our study on
Wednesday night, you may want to study a little bit about the people to whom
Paul wrote Phillippians. Philippi was the capital city of the Roman province of
Macedonia. Macedonia is in south central Europe just above Greece. According to
Acts, it is the first European place visited by Paul.
The founding of
the church at Philippi by Paul's missionary team is recorded in Acts 16. I
suggest you read Acts 16:9-40 and answer the following six questions:
(1) Why did Paul
decide to go to Macedonia?
(2) Who went with
Paul to Philippi?
(3) Who was the
first reported European convert to Christianity?
(4) What did Paul
and Silas do in prison?
(5) How were Paul
and Silas released from their chains?
(6) Where did
Paul and Silas go when they were finally persuaded to leave prison?
(7) You might
also want to consider what the following passages tell you about the kind of
church the Philippians had? (Philippi was in Macedonia) Rom. 15:25-26; 2 Cor.
8:1-5; 2 Cor. 9:1-2; 2 Cor. 11:7-9
Here are my
answers to the questions yesterday about Acts 16:9-40:
(1) Why did Paul
decide to go to Macedonia? He saw a
vision. Acts 16:9-10
(2) Who went with
Paul to Philippi? Luke, Timothy, Silas,
and perhaps others. This was a sort of
trick question designed to remind you of the importance of context. Silas - see Acts 15:40 and Acts 16:19;
Timothy - see Acts 16:1-4; and Luke, the author of Acts - see Acts 16:10-13
noticing the pronoun "we" and Acts 16:15 noticing the pronoun
"us"; others - Since we know Paul almost always had traveling
companions, and because they are seldom named, we can never assume we have a
complete listing of who was with Paul.
(3) Who was the
first reported European convert to Christianity? Lydia Acts 16:14-15
(4) What did Paul
and Silas do in prison? Prayed and sang
hymns Acts 16:25
(5) How were Paul
and Silas released from their chains? An
earthquake Acts 16:25-26
(6) Where did
Paul and Silas go when they were finally persuaded to leave prison? First to Lydia's house and then to
Thessalonica through a couple of other places.
Acts 16:40 and Acts 17:1 This is
another example of the importance of checking context.
I'll discuss
question #7 Wednesday night, but feel free to go ahead and post your answer
here.
I'm hoping
everyone will get a chance to read Philippians before Wednesday night. Here are some notes and questions about
chapter 1 that might help you get started.
Philippians,
Chapter 1: A greeting, a prayer for Paul's readers, and a quick report of his
situation.
Answer the
following questions after reading chapter 1:
(8) Who wrote
Philippians?
(9) How often
does Paul thank God for his readers?
(10) Paul prays
that his readers will have something that continues to grow or abound.
(11) Where does
the fruit of righteousness which fills us come from?
(12) Which verse
or verses tell us that Paul is in jail or prison?
(13) Paul says
that for him to live is but for him to
die is .
(14) In Phil
1:12-20 Paul seems happy to be in jail.
Why?
Here are my
answers to the questions I posted yesterday about Philippians 1:
(8) Who wrote
Philippians? Paul and Timothy Phil 1:1
(9) How often
does Paul thank God for his readers?
Every time he thinks of them.
Phil 1:3.
(10) Paul prays
that his readers will have something that continues to grow or abound. Love Phil 1:9
(11) Where does
the fruit of righteousness which fills us come from? Jesus Christ Phil 1:11
(12) Which verse
or verses tell us that Paul is in jail or prison? Phil 1:13-14
(13) Paul says
that for him to live is Christ, but for him to die is gain. Phil 1:21
(14) I talk more
about this Wednesday night.
If you do not
read this book before Wednesday night at 8, I can not imagine you having time
to read it while we are chatting. I
believe in multi-tasking but lets be reasonable. Please read the book.
Here are some
thoughts and questions about Philippians, Chapter 2 that I hope will help you
study it: Chapter 2 is an encouragement towards unity, humility, and spreading
the gospel message. A short summary of
the gospel. Timothy and Epaphroditus are
lifted up as examples.
Answer the
following questions after reading chapter 2:
(15) If the
Philippians were united in mind and spirit, having the same love, and were all
having a single purpose what would it do for Paul?
(16) Paul says
our mind or attitude should be the same as whose?
(17) How many are
going to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?
(18) We are to do
all things or everything without
and
(19) Who does
Paul hope to send to the Philippians?
(20) Who probably
carried this letter to the Philippians?
(21) What does
Phil 2:12-13 mean? Is it teaching
salvation by works?
Here are my
answers to the questions I posted yesterday about Philippians 2
(15) If the
Philippians were united in mind and spirit, having the same love, and were all
having a single purpose what would it do for Paul? Fulfill his joy or make his joy complete Phil
2:2
(16) Paul says
our mind or attitude should be the same as whose? Jesus Christ Phil 2:5
(17) How many are
going to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?
Everyone Phil 2:9-11
(18) We are to do
all things or everything without complaining, grumbling, disputing, arguing, or
murmuring. Phil 2:14
(19) Who does
Paul hope to send to the Philippians?
Timothy Phil 2:19-23
(20) Who probably
carried this letter to the Philippians?
Epaphroditus Phil 2:25-30
(21) I'll discuss
this answer Wednesday night if we get that far.
I have no idea
how this "Facebook class" is going to work out. We may only get a few verses or we may cover
a chapter every fifteen minutes. Just in
case I believe it would be a good idea for us all to read the whole book. Even if we do not get to it this week, it
will serve as good context for whatever part we do study. Here are some study aids to use while reading
Philippians, Chapter 3: Imitation of Christ, not becoming like a Jew, should be
our goal. Encouragement to continue in our Christian walk regardless of
obstacles.
Answer the
following questions after reading chapter 3:
(22) What are we
to have no confidence in?
(23) What did
Paul regard as far superior to all his accomplishments and worldly
possessions? .
(24) Did Paul
consider himself fully mature or perfect?
(25) Towards what
prize or goal was Paul pursuing or pressing?
(26) What is the
God of those who are the enemies of the cross of Christ?
(27) Where is our
citizenship? (The KJV calls it
conversation instead of citizenship.)
(28) In Phil
3:18-19 Paul reveals how he feels about the enemies of Jesus Christ. How did he feel? Do you feel the same way? Why or why not?
Here are the
answer to the questions I posted yesterday on Philippians 3:
(22) What are we
to have no confidence in? the flesh Phil
3:3
(23) What did
Paul regard as far superior to all his accomplishments and worldly
possessions?
Knowing Jesus
Christ the Lord. Phil 3:4-10
(24) Did Paul
consider himself fully mature or perfect?
No Phil 3:12
(25) Towards what
prize or goal was Paul pursuing or pressing?
The heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Phil 2:14
(26) What is the
God of those who are the enemies of the cross of Christ? Their stomach, belly or appetite Phil 2:19
(27) Where is our
citizenship? Heaven (The KJV calls it
conversation instead of citizenship.) Phil 2:20
(28) We will talk
about this tomorrow night.
Philippians,
Chapter 4 is a hymn of rejoicing and a note of thanks.
Answer the
following questions after reading chapter 4:
(29) How often
are we to rejoice in the Lord?
(30) When we are
praying to God about what we want what should our attitude be?
(31) What will
keep or guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus?
(32) What are we
to do with those things that are admirable, commendable, excellent, honest,
honorable, just, lovely, noble, praiseworthy, pure, reputable, right, true, and
virtuous?
(33) What could
Paul do through Him who gave him strength?
(34) How many
times had the Philippians sent gifts to help Paul - once, twice or many
times?
(35) When Phil
4:4 says "Rejoice" is it a command or a suggestion? Why?
(36) If someone
was to ask you what Philippians is about what would you tell them?
(37) Which verse
would you think might be best to memorize from Philippians? Why?
(38) What one
thing did you learn from this study of Philippians that you most want to
remember?
(39) What
questions would you like to discuss related to Philippians?
(40) What
suggestions do you have for improving the way this class is managed? What topics would you like to see discussed?
Answers to
questions about Philippians 4 that I posted last night.
(29) How often
are we to rejoice in the Lord? Always Phil 4:4
(30) When we are
praying to God about what we want what should our attitude be? Thankful or
grateful Phil 4:6
(31) What will
keep or guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus? The peace of God which is more than we can
understand Phil 4:7
(32) What are we
to do with those things that are admirable, commendable, excellent, honest,
honorable, just, lovely, noble, praiseworthy, pure, reputable, right, true, and
virtuous?
Think about them,
let our minds dwell on them, or meditate on them. Phil 4:8
(33) What could
Paul do through Him who gave him strength?
Everything or all things Phil 4:13
(34) How many
times had the Philippians sent gifts to help Paul - once, twice or many
times? Many times
Phil 3:16 says
more than once and when you add the gift he was thanking them for in this
letter it makes it more than twice.
As for the rest,
we'll talk about those tonight.
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