Lesson 23 Philippians 1:18c-30. Continuing from our last study

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1 Lesson 23 Philippians 1:18c-30 Continuing from our last study Prayer Start by praying over the passage and asking the Holy Spirit to give you fresh insights and wisdom in understanding it. Then read through the entire passage two or three times. Scripture Meditation/Memorization One of the most fundamental and rewarding Christian disciplines that pays back in full spiritual dividends is Bible meditation/memorization. It is an absolutely fundamental in the formation of your spiritual development, spiritual walk and faith growth. In Psalm 1:1-2 (NLT), the Psalmist warrior, King David said, Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. Memory Verse And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:26 ESV ~ 1 ~

2 Format Change We have all had weeks in which the time available for preparation of our Bible study evaporates under an unexpected event or a pressing project at work. To enable everyone to complete the study, even when time is at a premium, the daily questions are being divided into two categories: essential and expanded. The essential questions are those necessary to understand key points of the passage. The expanded or growth questions help expand knowledge and gain deeper insight into the Scripture. If you are concerned about having enough time to complete the whole study, it is suggested that you start by first answering the essential questions for each day and answer the expanded questions as time permits. Philippians 1:19-26 To Live is Christ Paul had been falsely accused of treason against Rome by the Jewish leadership about three years earlier resulting in his arrest in Jerusalem. When no verdict was reached after two years of imprisonment in Judea, Paul exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal to Caesar himself for a hearing and judgment. When this epistle was written he was under house arrest, chained to a palace guard in his own rented house in Rome, awaiting his hearing. Early church historians tell us that Paul was later released and completed his third missionary journey only to be rearrested later by Nero and executed during Nero s persecution of Christians in AD65. Essential Questions: 1. In verse 19 Paul expresses confidence in the outcome of his trial. a. What is the source of his confidence, based on this verse? b. What assistance is provided to Paul (and promised to all believers) by the Spirit when we are on trial for the Gospel according to Mark 13:11? ~ 2 ~

3 c. Looking at trials and tribulations through the lens of faith, what did Paul write to the Romans in Romans 8:28? 2. Often Christians feel forced to duck and cover in the workplace or school when the liberal majority belittles or mocks our faith. a. Faced with such opposition, what was Paul s desire in verse 20? b. What stern warning did Jesus issue in Matthew 10:32 33? c. What was Paul s heart on this matter as shared in Romans 1:16? Expanded Questions: 1. Verse 21 is some very deep theology. What does it mean to you? How does it affect your worldview? ~ 3 ~

4 2. Paul viewed the outcome of his upcoming trial as a win-win situation. a. If he were executed, Paul had not only the assurance of heaven but many scholars feel he had actually briefly been in heaven following his stoning in Lystra (Acts 14:19 20). What did he later write about his experience in 2 nd Corinthians 12:2 4? b. If Paul were released following his trial, how did he view this as beneficial for the ministry (see verses 22 26)? c. Many believers miss out on the joy of service in ministry which Paul described in this passage. According to Ephesians 2:10 what is our purpose? Philippians 1:27-30 Suffering for Christ Unity within the body of Christ is a constant theme in Paul s epistles. It does not mean complete uniformity but it does mean agreement on key points of doctrine. It has been well said that in the church we should show liberty in the details, unity in the essentials, but over all things love. Essential Questions: 1. Paul gives a similar admonition to the Ephesians in Ephesians 4:1 6. a. From this passage and your own knowledge, what are some characteristics of walking worthy of the gospel? ~ 4 ~

5 b. Paul lists qualifications for elders in 1 st Timothy 3:2 7 and Titus 1:7 9 that describe a worthy walk. What additional behaviors or steps can you find in a walk worthy of the Gospel from these passages? 2. While unity within the body of Christ is important, it cannot be attained at the sacrifice of foundational truths of the Gospel. Several cults, notably the Latter Day Saints, claim to be branches of the body of Christ. To accept such doctrine would be sloppy agape. From Ephesians 4:1 6 and prior knowledge, what are some essential points that must be included to form a bond of unity with other groups of believers? For additional help you can visit the Harvest website or any of the Calvary Chapel websites, and follow the tab What We Believe to get an overview of key doctrine. Extended Question: 1. One of the blessings in attending a Bible study is the support and encouragement we receive to stand and contend in one spirit for the gospel of Christ. What other encouragements can you gather from verses in our struggle against the flesh, the world, and Satan? ~ 5 ~

6 Lesson 23 Summary/Take Away If one of your friends at work or a neighbor were to ask you what you did on Tuesday, you would tell them you went to a Bible study. The next question would likely be, What did you learn? We often summarize an entire athletic contest or a movie in a few brief sentences and easily convey the essence of the event. Now apply these same skills to give a summary of the passage in a sentence or two. Then, in an additional sentence or two, describe what impact this passage will have on how you live. Memory Verse And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:26 ESV Key Words/Phrases Write out the definition of these key words. You can use a regular dictionary or go to one of the Greek sources listed in the Tool Box at the end of the study. You may also use a concordance to see where else and how the word is used in the Bible. Stand Fast in One Spirit (Philippians 1:27) Proof of Perdition (Philippians 1:28) ~ 6 ~

7 Tool Box Step 1: The Bible. Read the passage in a couple of different versions. If you are having trouble understanding a passage, choose a more dynamic version such as New Living Translation. To focus in on the exact meaning of a verse, choose a more literal translation such as English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible or New King James Version. Step 2: Study Tools. Use these to help you dig deeper. Background Information: 1) Unger s Bible Dictionary, 2) Bible Dictionaries online at biblestudytools.com and blueletterbible.com. (recommend both David Guzick and Chuck Smith s commentaries/study notes); Word Studies: 1) Zodhiates The Complete Word Study New Testament, 2) Vine s Complete Expository Dictionary, and 3) Strong s Dictionary of Bible Words. Step 3: Commentaries. Commentaries should not be used in place of studying God s Word directly, but they can give you additional insights. Some good commentaries include: Warren Wiersbe, J. Vernon McGee, F.F. Bruce, the Expositors Bible Commentary, NIV Application Commentary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary (edited by Walvoord & Zuck), the Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, and William Barclay (*great for background and culture, but be careful of his spiritual applications). Step 4: Online Assistance. Should you have a specific question about the study please your inquiry to: mannygwcm@gmail.com ~ 7 ~

8 MESSAGE NOTES Teacher: 2015 Mark Newton. All rights reserved. Express permission granted for use and reproduction by Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, CA. *Added questions by Warehouse Christian Ministries, Sacramento, CA ~ 8 ~