Shine Like Stars

PHILIPPIANSD I S C O V E RSAMPLE

PHILIPPIANSD I S C O V E R

Shine Like Stars

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in this publication are fromthe HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, © 1973, 1978, 1984,International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan BiblePublishers.

Discover Your Bible series. Discover Philippians (Study Guide), © 1990, 1999,2005 (revised) by Faith Alive Christian Resources, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

All rights reserved. With the exception of brief excerpts for review purposes, no part of this book may be reproduced in any mannerwhatsoever without written permission from the publisher. For information or questions about use of copyrighted material please contactPermissions, Faith Alive Christian Resources, 1700 28th Street SE, GrandRapids, MI 49508-1407; phone: 1-800-333-8300; fax: 616-726-1164; e-mail:permissions@faithaliveresources.org.

We welcome your comments. Call us at 1-800-333-8300 or e-mail us ateditors@faithaliveresources.org.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN 978-1-59255-241-2

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ContentsHow to Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Lesson 1From the First Day Until Now . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Lesson 2To Live Is Christ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Lesson 3Christ’s Attitude . . . and Ours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Lesson 4Shining Like Stars. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Lesson 5Pressing on Toward the Goal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Lesson 6Standing Firm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

An Invitation and Prayer of Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37Evaluation

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How to StudyThe questions in this study booklet will help you discover for yourself

what the Bible says. This is inductive Bible study—in which you willdiscover the message for yourself.

Questions are the key to inductive Bible study. Through questions yousearch for the writers’ thoughts and ideas. The questions in this booklet aredesigned to help you in your quest for answers. You can and should askyour own questions too. The Bible comes alive with meaning for manypeople as they discover the exciting truths it contains. Our hope and prayeris that this booklet will help the Bible come alive for you.

The questions in this study are designed to be used with the Today’sNew International Version of the Bible, but other translations can also beused.

Step 1. Read each Bible passage several times. Allow the ideas to sinkin. Think about their meaning. Ask questions about the passage.

Step 2. Answer the questions, drawing your answers from the passage.Remember that the purpose of the study is to discover what the Bible says.Write your answers in your own words. If you use Bible study aids such ascommentaries or Bible handbooks, do so only after completing your ownpersonal study.

Step 3. Apply the Bible’s message to your own life. Ask,

• What is this passage saying to me?• How does it challenge me? Comfort me? Encourage me?• Is there a promise I should claim? A warning I should heed?• For what can I give thanks?

If you sense God speaking to you in some way, respond to God in apersonal prayer.

Step 4. Share your thoughts with someone else if possible. This will beeasiest if you are part of a Bible study group that meets regularly to sharediscoveries and discuss questions.

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Glossary of TermsBenjamin (tribe of)—one of the twelve tribes, or divisions, of the Old

Testament Israelite nation (see also Israel). Paul was born into this tribe.Caesar’s household—the emperor’s family and all who served at the palace

in Rome—probably including palace officials, secretaries, clerks,servants, dependents, and slaves.

Day of Jesus Christ—the day when Christ will return.circumcision—removal of the male foreskin. God commanded the Old

Testament Israelites to use circumcision as an outward sign that theybelonged to God and as a symbol of the cutting away of sin from theirlives. In the New Testament, circumcision is replaced with baptism.

deacons—church members chosen to collect and distribute gifts of moneyand other necessities to serve people in need.

depraved—corrupt, wicked, perverted.drink offering—wine or some other drink poured out as an offering to God.

In the Old Testament, Israel’s priests sometimes poured a drink offeringover an animal or something else that was to be sacrificed.

Epaphroditus—a man from Philippi who had brought gifts to Paul and wasvery helpful to him in his imprisonment. Epaphroditus probably alsoserved as the courier who brought Paul’s letter to the other Christians atPhilippi (Phil. 2:25-30).

faith—taking God at his word, “being sure of what we hope for and certainof what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1). True faith consists of accepting astrue all that God has revealed in the Bible and being confident that allone’s sins are forgiven through the saving work of Christ.

gospel—from the Greek word meaning “good news.” The gospel is themessage that the sinless Son of God, Jesus Christ, took the punishmentfor our sins upon himself, dying on the cross and rising again for oursalvation to give us new life forever with God.

grace—God’s kindness, undeserved favor, and forgiving love.Hebrews—the people of Israel, also known later as the Jews.humility— the state of humbling oneself to serve God in obedience and

gratitude in response to God’s salvation in Christ (see Phil. 2:1-13).Israel—the Old Testament chosen people of God, descended from

Abraham, through whom God promised to bless all peoples (Gen. 12:3);Jesus the Savior, who was born into the Israelite tribe of Judah, fulfilledthat promise by saving us from sin.

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Lesson 2Philippians 1:12-30To Live Is Christ

Introductory NotesEven though the passage for this lesson concerns Paul’s being in prison

and being uncertain whether he’ll be sentenced to death, the tone of thissection is remarkably joy-centered. The words joy and rejoice occur severaltimes here. Paul’s joy clearly comes from his relationship with Christ, and heknows that his enthusiasm to spread the good news of Jesus as Lord is thereason for his being in prison. Despite his chains, Paul remains faithful tothe gospel and to his commitment as a missionary of Christ.

For this reason Paul is well qualified to talk about conducting oneself“in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27). As the Philippiansface some of the same challenges, Paul encourages them to let the Spirit ofChrist guide their behavior and decisions so that they can live in unity andbring honor to the Lord’s name.

1. Philippians 1:12-14a. According to Paul, how have his circumstances helped to spread

the gospel? By what means has this happened?

b. Why do you think Paul wants the Philippians to know this? Whatcan they learn from it?

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2. Philippians 1:15-18a. What do these verses tell us about those who preached Christ while

Paul was in prison? What does each group hope to gain?

b. What can we learn about Paul from these verses?

3. Philippians 1:18-20a. Why does Paul rejoice? What does he expect will happen?

b. Why is he so confident about this?

c. What is his primary desire as he thinks about his own future?

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4. Philippians 1:21-26a. How does Paul view life and death? Why?

b. What does Paul expect will happen to him? Why is he so confidentof this?

5. Philippians 1:27-28a. What does Paul want the Philippians to do?

b. Why is unity important for the Philippians?

c. What will result from their Christian behavior?

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6. Philippians 1:29-30a. What is “the same struggle” Paul and the Philippians are going

through?

b. How does Paul want them to view this struggle?

7. Summarya. What can we learn from this passage about Paul and his

relationship to Christ?

b. Read through this passage again, observing Paul’s attitude toward—his own future. —life and death.—his work. —the gospel of Christ.

What can we learn from Paul’s example?

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An InvitationListen now to what God is saying to you.You may be aware of things in your life that keep you from coming near

to God. You may have thought of God as someone who is unsympathetic,angry, and punishing. You may feel as if you don’t know how to pray orcome near to God.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made usalive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by graceyou have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5). Jesus, God’s Son, died on the cross tosave us from our sins. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what you’vedone in the past, or what your heritage is. God has been watching over youand caring for you, drawing you closer. “And you also were included inChrist when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation”(Eph. 1:13).

Do you want to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord? It’s as simple asA-B-C:

• Admit that you have sinned and that you need God’s forgiveness.• Believe that God loves you and that Jesus has already paid the price for

your sins.• Commit your life to God in prayer, asking the Lord to forgive your sins,

nurture you as his child, and fill you with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer of CommitmentHere is a prayer of commitment recognizing Jesus Christ as Savior. If

you long to be in a loving relationship with Jesus, pray this prayer. If youhave already committed your life to Jesus, use this prayer for renewal andpraise.

Dear God, I come to you simply and honestly to confess that I havesinned, that sin is a part of who I am. And yet I know that you listen tosinners who are truthful before you. So I come with empty hands andheart, asking for forgiveness.

I confess that only through faith in Jesus Christ can I come to you.I confess my need for a Savior, and I thank you, Jesus, for dying on thecross to pay the price for my sins. Lord, I ask that you forgive my sinsand count me among those who are righteous in your sight. Removethe guilt that accompanies sin and bring me into your presence.

Holy Spirit of God, help me to pray, and teach me to live by yourWord. Faithful God, help me to serve you faithfully. Make me more andmore like Jesus each day, and help me to share with others the goodnews of your great salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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BibliographyBarclay, William. Letters to the Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians.

Philadelphia: Westminster, 1975.Barker, Kenneth L., and John R. Kohlenberger III. Zondervan NIV Bible

Commentary.Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1994.Erdman, Charles R. Epistle of Paul to the Philippians. Philadelphia:

Westminster, 1932.Guthrie, Donald, et al. New Bible Commentary. Third edition. Grand Rapids,

Mich.: William B. Eerdmans, 1970.Hendriksen, William. New Testament Commentary: Exposition of Philippians.

Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House, 1962.NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1985.Walhout, Edwin. Philippians: Paul’s Thank-You Letter (Leader’s Guide). Word

Alive: In-depth Small Group Bible Studies. Grand Rapids, Mich.: CRCPublications, 2002.

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D I S C O V E R Y O U R B I B L E S E R I E SBible Studies for Small Groups

PHILIPPIANS

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Though written to first-century Christians, Paul’s letter to the Philippians is timeless! It speaks to believers everywhere about standing firm in the faith, living in humility and unity, and shining together like stars for the cause of Christ. During an age of persecution, suffering, and internal strife, the Philippian church stood out like a beacon pointing to the way things could be. Even though Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter, he discusses the contentment, peace, and joy we can experience whatever the circumstances.

The Discover Your Bible series inspires readers to discover together what the Bible says and means. Participants dive into the text using questions that spark meaningful conversation and personalized application. Every lesson is designed to be a framework that guides groups on a unique and transformative journey. Discover more at DiscoverYourBible.org.

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