Inductive Bible Studies on the Letter to the Philippians

The Letter to Philippians

Inductive Bible Studies

Leader’s Guide

Greg Chao

July 4, 2014

Version 1.1

Table of Contents

Purpose

Guidelines and Tips

Background to the Letter to Philippians

Philippians 1:1-11 – Thanksgiving & Prayer

Philippians 1:12-26 – Paul’s Hope

Philippians 1:27-2:13 – Selfless Living

Philippians 2:14-30 – Life without Grumbling

Philippians 3:1-14 – Real Faith versus “Religiousness”

Philippians 3:15-4:1 – Real Faith versus “Worldliness”

Philippians 4:2-9 – Rejoicing in the Lord

Philippians 4:10-23 – On being Content

Appendix – Insights & Comments for Leaders

Purpose: What should motivate Christians? These studies were created to help the seeker and the believer alike answer that question. The Apostle Paul shares how “hope” in Christ affects our perspectives on life and gives some practical tips on “joyful” living.

The recommended format provides a low commitment, low pressure environment where questions can be freely explored. This guide provides material and tips to help you assist othersto go directly to the source, the Bible, and draw their own conclusions. The studies usethe method of “inductive” questioning utilizing questions to bring out observations, meanings, and applications from the text itself.

In any growing church, the Bible should be read and studied and held in the highest esteem. Those who have been touched by God will be excited to share their faith with others characterized by being:

  • “Organic or spontaneous, outside of church’s organized programs
  • Relational, in the context of informal personal relationships
  • Word deployed, bringing the Bible and gospel into connection with people’s lives
  • Active, not passive where each person assumes personal responsibility for being a producer rather than being a consumer of ministry”[1]

Guidelines and Tips:Here are some tips as you prepare and conduct the Bible study. The inductive questions for each passage in Philippians are versatile enough to work within a one-on-one or group format. They can be used for Bible studies for Christians, seekers, or a mixture of the two.

  • Place – Find a quiet place where you can talk without being interrupted or distracted.
  • Bible/Material – Make sure there is a Bible for each of you. Try to get the same version if possible. Print out the questions for each of you beforehand. (Do not print out the answers in the Appendix since you are trying to encourage discussion.)
  • Number of meetings – There are 8 studies provided intended for 8 weeks. Agree on the amount of time together (1-1 ½ hours should be sufficient).
  • Set Expectations – The time you spend together will be informal where all questions are welcome. You may not have the answersto them on the spot but you can research and try to provide answersduring the next meeting. No homework should be required.
  • Read the Passage First – Make sure and read the passage entirely. For flow and clarity, it is better for one person to read the entire passage.
  • Sharing Question (for small groups only) - A sharing question is provided for each study that is related to the passage. Go around in a circle and share (make sure you give the option of “passing” if someone does not want to share).
  • Work through the Study Questions –The study questions are meant to bring out the meaning of the passage through discussion. Althoughyou will find some answers/insights to the questions in the appendix, don’t just blurt out the answers. Allow the group/individual to get at the answers through observing the passage. There is usually an application question at the end.
  • Conversation – Don’t do all the talking. Listen a lot. Be interested in what the other person has to say. Allowing the conversation to drift for a time can be beneficial. Bring it back by using the questions. Don’t feel obligated to correct; each individual in the group can decide for themselves whether they agree. You can bring in other opinions by saying, “what do the rest of you think?” or “here is another way to look at it.” Always be gracious.
  • Becoming a Christian – After each study, determine if you would like to invite the seeker to become a Christian. If so, here are two examples of a simple prayer of invitation. Either could be used.

“Father, I’ve always believed in you and Jesus Christ, but my heart’s most fundamental trust was elsewhere---in my own competency and decency. This has only gotten me into trouble. As far as I know my own heart, today I give it to you, I transfer my trust to you, and ask that you would receive and accept me not for anything I have done but because of everything Christ has done for me.”[2]

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Your Name. Amen.”[3]

Note that each prayer had an element of acknowledgement of one’s personal sins and a desire to change, asking for forgiveness from God, acknowledging the work of Christ as Savior and transferring trust in God (giving over control of one's life).

Background to the Letter to Philippians

Philippians was written at the end of Paul’s ministry while he was in prison. It is the loveliest letter he wrote that soars with hope revealing his inner motivations.

  1. Paul’s first encounter with the Philippians before the writing of this letter
  2. Paul’s first visit to Philippi is recorded in Acts 16 (~52AD) during his second missionary journey. He receives a dream to come to the district of Macedonia. It is described as a “Roman colony and the leading city in that district.”
  3. Meets Lydia, a dealer in purple, who immediately converts andPaul stays at her home.
  4. Meets a fortune-telling slave girl who declares, “These men are servants of the Most High God.” Paul castsout the evil spiritwhich angers her master who could no longer profit from her.
  5. Paul is thrown in prison, miraculously released, and brings salvation to histerrified prison guards.
  6. He is released byrevealing his Roman citizenship.
  1. The Occasion of the Letter
  2. Letter of thanks. Years have passed (~63-64 AD) and the church sent gifts (4:10,11) while he was in prison.
  3. Epaphroditus was sent to him by the church as a personal servant. Epaphroditus became ill and homesick so Paul sent him back (Phil. 2:29-30) with this letter.
  4. Encouragement in trials (Phil. 1:28-30)
  5. Appeal for unity - Attitude (Phil. 2:1-11), overcoming quarreling (Phil. 4:2), and warning against false teachers (Phil. 3:2)

Philippians 1:1-11 – Thanksgiving and Prayer

Study 1

Sharing Question: Have you ever experienced peace in the midst of trouble? Explain.

  1. Why are the believers called ‘saints?’ What is significant of “God” as father? What is significant about the title “Lord Jesus Christ?”
  2. From verses 3-6, how does Paul view the Philippians? What is Paul referring to about ‘the first day until now?’ Why would Paul be confident that God would carry his good work to completion? What is the ‘day of Christ Jesus?’
  3. Why does Paul feel such affection? What does it mean that he is in chains? How do they share in God’s grace with him?
  4. Why does Paul pray that their love may abound? How does love abound in knowledge and depth of insight? How does this lead to being pure and blameless? What is the fruit of righteousness? How does this all come from Jesus Christ?
  5. What attitude is Paul conveying to the Philippians in this opening passage? How can he be so positive while he is in prison? How can we learn to have this same attitude?

Philippians 1:12-26 – Paul’s Hope

Study 2

Sharing Question: How has your hope in Christ helped you get through difficult times?

  1. Why does Paul see a normally tragic circumstance (imprisonment, possible execution) as a positive event? In order to have this viewpoint, how must he see himself? How must he see God?
  2. Why is Paul not concerned about the motives of those preaching?
  3. How can Paul rejoice in his circumstances in verse 18? What does ‘rejoicing’ mean?
  4. How does Paul receive help through ‘prayer and the Spirit’ in verse 19? How will Paul be delivered in verse 19? What does he need courage for?
  5. What is the meaning of ‘for to me to live is Christ, to die gain’? For Paul, what are the positives of living on earth? What are the positives of departing from the earth?
  6. What has made Paul so certain that he will be with Christ? In your opinion, is this certainty available to us? Explain. How would a certainty that we will be with Christ change the way we view life?

Philippians 1:27-2:13 – Selfless Living

Study 3

Sharing Question: Share a time where you put aside your own self-interest for the good of the group?

  1. What does Paul mean when he says ‘conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ?’ How would this take away their fear from those opposing them? What does it mean to suffer for Christ?
  2. What are the qualities of a unified church (verses 1 & 2)? What is the role of the Holy Spirit? What does it mean to do ‘nothing out of vain conceit?’ (proper view of ourselves) How do you consider others ‘better than yourself?’ (proper view of others) How do you look out for the interest of others? (kindness)
  3. What does it mean ‘being in very nature God?’ Why would not ‘grasping equality with God’ be noteworthy? (second Adam) How did Christ take the ‘nature of a servant, being made in human likeness?’ How did He become obedient to death? How did God exalt Jesus? Why is it significant that ‘every knee will bow to Christ?’
  4. What is Paul encouraging the Philippians to be obedient in? (verse 12 - fear and trembling has a meaning toward each other, salvation as a group. Fear has the meaning of awe). Why does Paul repeat the idea that it is God who works in them to will and to act according to his good purpose (1:6)?
  5. What motivations should we have to live out our life according to this passage? How does remembering Christ’s example help?

Philippians 2:14-30 – Life without Grumbling

Study 4

Sharing Question: Share about a person who you know that has been a good example to you?

  1. Why is it not good to be a ‘complainer?’ Why does Paul want things to be done without complaining?
  2. What does it mean to have things done without arguing? Is this a restriction from all disagreements? Explain.
  3. Why would this lead to being blameless and pure? How is this generation ‘crooked and depraved?’ Why would this make them ‘shine like stars?’
  4. What is so special about Timothy? How has he proven himself? How is his service like a ‘son to a father?’
  5. Why does Paul value Epaphroditus? Why is he sending him back? How does Paul describe his recovery? Why does Paul request that they honor him?
  6. How are Timothy and Epaphroditus different? How are they similar? How are these two people examples of “non-complainers and non-arguers?”
  7. How is Paul setting an example of not “complaining?” How is he “looking out for the interest of others” here?

Philippians 3:1-14 – Real Faith versus “Religiousness”

Study 5

Sharing Question: Share a time where you overcame your initial reluctance to help and then found it rewarding afterwards.

  1. How is rejoicing in the Lord a safeguard?
  2. Who are the ‘dogs’ that Paul is referring to and how are they mutilators of the flesh? How do they put “confidence in the flesh” and why is this so bad?
  3. In verses 5-6, what three things did Paul put his confidence in? Why does Paul consider these things ‘a loss’ or ‘rubbish’? What does it mean ‘righteousness of my own’ versus ‘righteousness through faith’?
  4. What does it mean to ‘know Christ?’ Why is “knowing Christ” so great? What does it mean to ‘know the power of the resurrection of Christ?’ What does it mean to know the ‘fellowship of sharing in his suffering?’
  5. By saying ‘I have not already attained it,’ what is Paul saying about the Christian life on earth? What does it mean to “press on to the prize?”
  6. In today’s society, who are the people who put “confidence in the flesh?” Why is focusing on “knowing Christ” so radically different?

Philippians 3:15-4:1 – Real Faith versus “Worldliness”

Study 6

Sharing Question: Share a time where you were able to see a sharp contrast between the values of this world and your Christian values.

  1. Why does Paul allow other views in verse 15? What other views might there be? What does it mean “God will make it clear?” What does it means to “live up to what we have already attained?”
  2. What does it mean that the “enemies of God” make their god “their stomach?” What does mean that their “glory is in their shame?” What does it mean that their “minds are on earthly things?”
  3. What does it mean our “citizenship is in heaven?” Why do we “eagerly await” the Lord Jesus Christ? How will Jesus bring everything under his control? How will understanding this help them to stand firm?
  4. What is different about these two perspectives that Paul presents here? How does thisunderstandingchange the way you will view our society’s values? How will this perspective help you to face problems in life? How will this perspective help you face death?

Philippians 4:2-9 – Rejoicing in the Lord

Study 7

Sharing Question: Share a time where God gave you peace about something even though it was not fully resolved.

  1. Why does Paul plead with Euodia and Syntycheto agree with each other? Why does he appeal to the ‘brothers’ to help? Why does he mention that they have “contended at my side in the cause of the gospel” and their “names are in the book of life?”
  2. What does it mean to ‘rejoice in the Lord?” (note the double emphasis in verse 4) How can we rejoice always? How does rejoicing lead to ‘gentleness?’ Why would the Lord being near cause us to rejoice?
  3. What does being anxious (worry) mean? Without God, is worry understandable? Explain. What are the ‘prayers and petitions’ or ‘requests’ that Paul is talking about? Why does he add ‘in everything?’ Why does Paul add ‘with thanksgiving?’
  4. How do these ‘prayers’ counteract worry? How will prayer bring about peace? How does this peace ‘transcend understanding?’ How does this peace ‘guard our hearts and minds?’
  5. What is the meaning of true? Noble? Right and pure? Lovely and admirable? Excellent or praiseworthy? How do we ‘think (dwell) about such things?’ Why must we put it into practice?
  6. Why is prayer such an important aspect of living a joyful life? Why is dwelling on good thing so helpful?

Philippians 4:10-23 – On being Content

Study 8

Sharing Question: How have you learned to be content ‘in plenty or in want?’

  1. What does Paul mean when he says that he has learned to be content in whatever the circumstances? What is Paul referring to when he says “well fed or hungry, … living in plenty or in want?” What does it mean, ‘I can do everything through him who gives me strength?’
  2. What was the giving pattern of the church to help the ministry of Paul? How were they generous over the years? How is it a fragrant offering to God?
  3. What is Paul’s attitude toward their support of the ministry and him? How does he strike the balance between his gratefulness to them and to God for the gifts?
  4. Do you think that Paul is teaching that we should not be ambitious? Explain. What can we learn from Paul about being content in our circumstances?

Appendix – Insights & Comments for Leaders

Philippians 1:1-11 – Thanksgiving and Prayer

The believers were called “saints” because the work of Christ is complete and they are “righteous” positionally even though it is not fully reflected in their behavior.

God is now their father because of what Jesus Christ has done. “Lord” implies divine.

Paul views the Philippian church with great affection since they have been so faithful in supporting him throughout the years. He believes that God will carry out his work with or without him. The” day of Christ Jesus” is a reference to the return of Christ.

Love has the meaning of selfless giving that is deepened by knowledge of their faith. Paul is speaking of a process of Christ through the Holy Spirit transforming our thoughts and attitudes so that we live our lives with greater ethics, generosity, and purpose. This is the result or “fruit of righteousness” of the work of Christ that has made us children of God permanently.

Paul is expressing great affection and gratitude to both the Philippians and to God.