4EXPLORE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>BIBLE$

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1 For by grace you are saved through faith, and 4EXPLORE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>BIBLE$ this is not from yourselves; DISCOVERY it is God s gift Adult STUDY Guide not from works, so Spring that 2011 no one can boast. Philippians, Colossians, Philemon Move Forward, Please

2 4EXPLORE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>BIBLE$ The Writer SHERRA STILL lives in North Carolina with her husband Coye and their five children. She enjoys watching her children participate in a variety of sports: track, basketball, and volleyball. She is an avid reader and enjoys quilting. Sherra is a member of University Hills Baptist Church where her husband serves as pastor. As a pastor s wife and former missionary in India, Sherra brings a wealth of experience to her writing. She teaches an adult Sunday School class and assists her husband in the new members class as well. Sherra says, I learn so much when I write. I love His Word more and more every day. Explore the Bible: Discovery Adult Study Guide (ISSN ; Item ) is published quarterly by Life- Way Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. Copyright 2010 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. For ordering or inquiries visit or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, order-entry@ lifeway.com, fax , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. The 2000 statement of The Baptist Faith and Message is our doctrinal guideline. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. The suggestions in this resource for pronouncing Bible names are from That s Easy for You to Say: Your Quick Guide to Pronouncing Bible Names by W. Murray Severance, Copyright 1997 by Broadman & Holman Publishers. Used by permission. Printed in the United States of America DISCOVERY A D U L T S T U D Y G U I D E This periodical is designed for all adults using the Explore the Bible Series. Volume 4, Number 3 Spring 2011 PRODUCTION & MINISTRY TEAM Brenda Harris Content Editor Pat Phillips Production Editor Dawn Rodgers Wyse Graphic Designer Brent Bruce Graphic Design Specialist Alan Raughton Lead Adult Ministry Specialist David Apple Adult Ministry Specialist Dwayne McCrary Editorial Project Leader Send questions/comments to Content Editor, ETB Discovery Study Guide One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN Or make comments on the Web at MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL Bret Robbe, Director Leadership and Adult Publishing Ken Braddy and Ron Keck Managing Directors Leadership and Adult Publishing David Francis, Director Sunday School Bill Craig, Director Leadership and Adult Ministry Gary H. Hauk, Director Publishing LifeWay Church Resources

3 TA B L E O F Contents How to Use DISCOVERY Study Guide Overview of Philippians, Colossians, Philemon: Move Forward, Please UNIT 1: Advance the Gospel (Philippians 1:1 4:23) March 6 Link Up with Others (Philippians 1:1 11) March 13 Lift Up the Gospel (Philippians 1:12 26) March 20 Live Up to the Gospel (Philippians 1:27 2:11) March 27 Light Up the World (Philippians 2:12 30) April 3 Look Up to Heaven (Philippians 3:1 21) April 10 Never Let Up (Philippians 4:1 23) UNIT 2: Advance in Christian Truth (Colossians 1:1 2:23) April 17 Knowing the Truth (Colossians 1:1 20) April 24 Believing the Truth* (John 20:1 18) May 1 Expressing the Truth (Colossians 1:21 2:7) May 8 Keeping the Truth (Colossians 2:8 23) UNIT 3: Advance in Christian Living (Colossians 3:1 4:18; Philemon 1 25) May 15 Be Focused (Colossians 3:1 17) May 22 Be Faithful (Colossians 3:18 4:18) May 29 Be Forgiving (Philemon 1 25) BONUS Map: Travel Points of Paul s Letters For by grace you are saved through faith, and 4EXPLORE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>THE>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>BIBLE$ DISCOVERY ADULT STUDY GUIDE SPRING 2011 Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon Move Forward, Please * Evangelistic Lesson ABOUT THE COVER: Columns from the ruins at ancient Philippi, Greece. Paul Fisher, for istockphoto, LC 5

4 March 6 Background Passage: Philippians 1:1 11 Lesson Passage: Philippians 1:1 11 Link Up with Others Getty Images How can I partner with other believers in sharing the gospel? 8

5 M a r c h 6, It s a familiar sight at most summer camps. After some time for developing relationships with other campers, the camp staff will typically incorporate a trust activity into the schedule. It may be the kind of challenge where you fall back into someone arms and trust them to catch you. Or it could be an activity where one person is blindfolded and dependent on another person to guide them through an obstacle course. Campers may have to link up with others to cross the beam, get through the ropes, or get over the wall. The goal is to break down barriers and build trust among participants. The benefits of trust activities are numerous: developing mutual respect, communicating effectively, and building teamwork skills. Another huge lesson gleaned through these exercises is learning that you cannot accomplish every goal by yourself. The goal of advancing the gospel throughout the world is an overwhelming task that cannot be accomplished alone. Teamwork is crucial. The apostle Paul recognized long ago that believers would need to work together to spread the gospel. His message to the church at Philippi was meant to encourage them as they encouraged him in this vital, life-altering work work that still involves linking up with other believers. T H E J O U R N E Y B E G I N S Paul visited Philippi on his second missionary journey and personally led many people to Christ while he was there. The church in Philippi was likely born out of these believers. Paul wrote the Book of Philippians sometime between A.D. while he was in prison in Rome. The tone and content of the book are evidence that Paul had a deep love for the believers there. HCSB Philippians 1:1 2 1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul only had to look as far as his wrist or ankle to be reminded of his circumstances. It s difficult to imagine what Paul experienced in prison. How do you think Paul s circumstances affected his letter to the Philippians?

6 10 L i n k u p w i t h o t h e r s Put yourself in Paul s sandals. He had deep feelings and connections to the believers in Philippi. What emotions might Paul have experienced as he wrote these words to the believers in Philippi? What responsibility do you think Paul felt toward those whom he had led to Christ? Have you experienced the joy of leading someone to Christ? What responsibility do you feel for that person s spiritual growth? Paul and Timothy were not only colaborers for Christ but they were also together in prison. While Paul alone wrote the Book of Philippians, he had great respect for Timothy and mentioned his younger companion in his greeting. Paul added a twist to his typical greeting to the Philippians. He described himself and Timothy as slaves or servants. A C L O S E R L O O K Slaves Person totally responsible to and dependent upon another person. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Evaluate who you are totally responsible to and dependent upon: Your spouse Your boss Your adult child Your parents Your Savior and Lord, Jesus Other: Would you feel more comfortable being called a slave or a servant? Why? The term servant seems to communicate a positive role of choice, where the term slave is a negative role of forced labor. In the ancient world, slavery was a common, accepted practice and one that Paul s readers would have immediately recognized. Christians were encouraged to treat their slaves with kindness and the practice of giving slaves their freedom was not uncommon. Think about your own life. Is there a place where you feel like a slave? Your workplace Your school Your kitchen

7 M a r c h 6, Is this kind of slavery healthy for you? If not, then how can you break free? Would it be possible to describe yourself as a slave of Christ Jesus? Why or why not? Is this slavery healthy for you? Why or why not? Paul wrote to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the church leaders and ministers. Do you consider yourself a saint? If you are a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, you are! You are set apart for the holy purpose of serving God. Paul communicated a blessing to the church as well: grace and peace. As a teenager, I was taught an acronym for T R U T H T O L I V E B Y For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God s gift not from works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8 9 grace: God s Riches At Christ s Expense. Grace is the undeserved favor of God. Paul communicated to his readers what Christ did on the cross for the sins of all mankind. In addition, he pronounced peace. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines peace as A condition or sense of harmony, well-being, and prosperity. How do you communicate grace and peace to those around you? HCSB Philippians 1:3 6 3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. The Philippians brought joy to Paul and he thanked God for them. How did Paul describe their relationship in verse 5?

8 12 L i n k u p w i t h o t h e r s Every partnership has a reason for being created. What was the purpose of Paul s partnership with the Philippians? List below persons or groups with whom you have a partnership (your spouse, your church, your coworkers, etc.). What type of partnership do you have (to love and honor each other and raise children, to reach others with the gospel, to complete a task, etc.)? How would you rate yourself as a partner in the gospel with missionaries around the world? Not at all They can count on me! HCSB Philippians 1:7 8 7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. The Philippians excelled in finding how they could partner with Paul. Imagine each individual believer discovering his or her gift(s) and then expressing those gifts in service. They partnered with Paul when he was able to move freely about sharing the gospel and also during his imprisonment. Have you discovered your gift(s)? Jot them down here. If you re not sure about your spiritual gift(s), check out article/ for an informative article and a link to a spiritual gifts inventory. How can you use your gift(s) to contribute to the spread of the gospel?

9 M a r c h 6, Does your pastor see you as a partner in the establishment of the gospel? If so, how? If not, how can you begin investing your life in the establishment of the gospel? HCSB Philippians 1: And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Paul prayed that the Philippian believers would continue to serve the Lord. How will you continue serving the Lord in love? in knowledge? in discernment? in purity; blameless? with righteousness? L I F E C H O I C E S How do your daily priorities compare to those of the Philippian believers? How do the choices you make demonstrate your willingness to be a partner in helping spread the gospel to all the world? One way Southern Baptists contribute to the spread of the gospel is through the International and North American Mission Boards. Find out more about the work of these two mission organizations and how you can be involved personally and through your church at and

10 14 L i n k u p w i t h o t h e r s PA R T I N G T H O U G H T S It will take Christians joining hands, hearts, and resources to see that every people group has an opportunity to respond to the gospel. Are you one of the first to lend a helping hand in cooperative evangelistic efforts? If not, what hinders you from linking up with other Christians? Review the upcoming events in your church. Would it be possible for one person to accomplish the goal of any of the events? Why does it take more than one? Think about the opportunities your church provides to give an evangelistic witness to those in the community and around the world. How could you participate in one of those opportunities? Pray? Give? Go? Accept Paul s challenge to be a partner in the work of sharing the gospel. Personal Discovery: How can I partner with other believers in sharing the gospel? In the space below reflect on the partnerships in your life and whether or not they are instrumental in the spread of the gospel.