Meeting#2 | This Week’s Leader: David Goodno (Lane Butt or Tom Landis as backup, if David is unavailable.)
Philippians can be divided into four sections:
Paul’s joy in living for Jesus (Ch. 1:1-30).
Examples of joyful humility (Ch. 2:1-30).
Pressing toward the goal (Ch. 3:1-21).
Exhortation (urging, advice, appeal) and encouragement (Ch. 4:1-23).
Introduction: This is our second meeting of the Fall Semester of the Men’s “Called” Growth Group, we will be meeting weekly every Wednesday, through November 23, 2024 (11/13/2024); 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Everyone is welcome to join; you do not have to have been at a previous meeting to attend.
This semester, Called Men’s Group is conducting a Bible study of the Book of Philippians (Sept.) and Colossians (Oct.)
The Book of Philippians is a letter written by the apostle Paul, and a letter to encourage believers to maintain joy in suffering and to pursue unity in the church. As we read Paul’s letter, we should try and think of past circumstances or current situations we are currently going through. Paul’s message is that we should not look at our circumstances as the “final word.” Paul said he could rejoice in everything; that God is always, ALWAYS greater than anything we may face, and that we should remain faithful to the Lord.
Last week in our meeting we were given the challenge to pray every morning as soon as we woke up. - How did everyone do? Discuss among the group.
This Week’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for all you do for us; everything big and small, seen and unseen. Guide us and help us to be more like Jesus every day. Lord, help us to remember that you are with us through everything, help us to endure hard times and to keep moving forward, keeping our eyes on you. - Amen
Scripture: Read - Philippians Chapter 2:1 – 30
Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)
The second chapter of Paul’s letter speaks about the joy we can experience in serving others. Many people, even some Christians, live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves. – Selfishness only brings conflict, which is why Paul stressed spiritual unity, asking the Philippians to love one another and to be one in the spirit and purpose.
This makes me think of the words: “We are one in the spirt, we are one in the Lord… And we pray that all unity will one day be restored. And they’ll know we are Christians by our Love.”
When we work together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our own, we demonstrate Christ’s example of putting others first and in doing this we experience unity. We need to remember that the life we live is not meant to be our own, we should put others first; there is great joy to be had in sharing each other’s burdens. I’ve heard it said that “Money can’t buy happiness, but it can buy a Jet-Ski.” Although this is true, we need to remember that riding a Jet-Ski is fun, but like many things in this world, the joy is temporary. The Jet-Ski will run out of gas eventually, the Jet-Ski requires regular maintenance to run properly, the cool stickers and paint will eventually fade. – We need to remember that all things in this world are temporary, but our salvation is forever, trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and do not waiver. Selfishness can ruin a Church, but genuine humility builds it.
Before God we were ignorant sinners, when we come to faith we were forgiven, but yet we remain sinners, we must seek God’s grace and forgiveness daily. We have great worth in God’s Kingdom. We are to lay aside selfishness and treat others with respect and courtesy. Considering other’s interests as more important than our own links us with Christ. – Agree / Disagree?
Philippi was a cosmopolitan city, the church was diverse, with people from all walks of life and backgrounds. The church included Jewish converts, wealthy businesspeople, slaves, and the jailer who served the colony. With so many different backgrounds it must have been difficult to maintain unity. Paul encourages us to guard against any selfishness, prejudice, or jealousy that might lead to dissension.
Jesus was humble, willing to give up his rights in order to obey God and serve people. Like Christ, we should have a servant’s attitude, serving out of love for God and for others, not out of guilt or fear. Remember YOU choose YOUR attitude; people don’t choose it for you. – Agree / Disagree?
Often people excuse selfishness, pride or evil by claiming they deserve it. They think it’s okay to cheat on a test, because they deserve to pass the class – as believers we should have a different attitude. If we say we follow Christ, we must also say that we want to live and act as He did. Agree / Disagree?
Can we think of two or three examples of people who have become united for an important cause? What comes to your mind? Discuss among the group.
What external opposition does FV Church as well as other churches in Gettysburg, and the immediate surrounding areas face?
What do the verses, in Chapter 2: 5-11 tell us about Christ and what he did?
What characteristics of Christ does Paul challenge us to have?
What influences in our culture today push attitudes of self-importance and self-interest? What can we do to counter these beliefs and influences?
When you read Chapter 2:14 and 15
14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Do these words speak anything to you?
Why are complaining and arguing so harmful? If all that unchurched people know about a church is that its members constantly argue, complain and gossip, they get a false impression of Christ. Our lives should be characterized by moral purity, patience and peacefulness, wo that we will “shine brightly” in a dark and depraved world.
I saw a message once that said “Sometimes, you are the only Bible others will ever read.” We need to remember that WE are representatives of Christ, wherever we go our actions reflect and represent Christ – we need to be mindful of: what we do, how we act, how we react, the things we say and the words we use.
How would you rate yourself?
Are there things you could do better?
Discuss among the group.
Is there anything that needs to be sacrificed in your life to be closer to Jesus?
What are some things you might need to give up, or have already given up?
Is there anything you that is holding you back from making that sacrifice?
What can be done to overcome the resistance to commit?
***
What was the context? What was going on at the time this was written?
What and where is this happening?
What makes what was happening meaningful?
Is there anything special about the location (or locations)?
Who is involved?
How do they respond to God?
What character traits do you notice about them?
What is the significance of their involvement?
What do you think is the key message?
Did anything stand out, or something that surprised you? What was it?
Were there any repetitive words or themes that stood out to you? What were they?
---
Is there anything that stood out to you? Share with the group and discuss.
Is there anything that left you with more questions? What were they? Share with group, discuss and research.
Biggest takeaway?
Given Philippi’s strategic location, what kind of city would you expect it to be? What typical problems would you expect to find in the city? What problems would the church in Philippi be having? What similar problems do churches face today?
Listen to the song “By Our Love” performed by King and Country. Was there anything in the lyrics or song that stood out to you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9zoq3k-3K0
Prepare for next week’s meeting. Read: Philippians 3:1-21 Is there anything that stands out when reading these verses? Be ready to discuss it at the next meeting.
REMINDER: This Fall 2024 Semester Men’s group will be meeting every Wednesday, 09/04/2024 through 11/13/2024; 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Please monitor https://fv.church/events for more information.
References/Acknowledgements:
Elements of today’s Bible study were copied from:
NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House Ministries Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/
ESV Study Bible, copyright 2008. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV); copyright 2001 by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois.
NLT, Life Application Bible Studies, Philippians and Colossians; copyright 1998, 2009, Tyndale House Publishers Inc, Carol Stream, Illinois.
The Good Book Guide to Philippians, Philippians Shining with joy, by Steven J. Lawson; copyright 2017, The Good Book Company www.thegoodbookcompany.com
Schedule:
Month, Meeting Number, Date, Book/Chapters/Verse/(Total Verses)
September 2024:
_x_ 001, 09/04 Philippians 1:1-30. (30 Verses)
_x_ 002, 09/11 Philippians 2:1-30. (30 Verses)
___ 003, 09/18 Philippians 3:1-21. (21 Verses)
___ 004, 09/25 Philippians 4:1-23. (23 Verses)
October 2024:
___ 005, 10/02 Colossians 1:1-29 (29 Verses)
___ 006, 10/09 Colossians 2:1-23 (23 Verses)
___ 007, 10/16 Colossians 3:1-25 (25 Verses)
___ 008, 10/23 Colossians 4:1-18 (18 Verses)
___ 009, 10/30 Bible Translations (Video and Discussion)
November 2024:
___ 010, 11/06 TBD
___ 011, 11/13 TBD (FINAL MEETING OF THE SEMESTER)