Leader s Guide This guide is designed to aid in preparing and leading your group in discussion. Please note that all material contained herein may not be needed or applicable for your group. QUICK REVIEW Looking back at your notes from this week s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you? Summary Are you ready for some good news?! Salvation is much bigger than the assurance of heaven, although this is included. It includes healing, wholeness, well-being, and everything involved with being a child of God. The good news is there are more benefits to being a child of God than we are yet to appropriate. Spiritual treasure is still waiting to be mined. To properly understand this good news we first have to make some clarifications. Paul is certainly not calling the Philippians to work to add something to God s finished work in Christ. Further, he is not calling them to a life of fear either. Finally, he is not narrowly focused on the individual alone, but intends the Philippians to hear this call to work out their salvation as something to undertake as part of their community life. Paul is calling this beloved congregation at Philippi to the dignity of shared work; working with reverence and awe in the presence of God, and by His grace unpacking and appropriating the spiritual riches, which are theirs through Jesus. This takes us back to the Garden of Eden where work was originally designed to be done without the anxious threat of punishment. To get there we have to go through the salvation of Jesus. In this way we can do all things as an act of working out of our salvation and enjoy unfettered assurance as a result. Further, we can work out in this salvation and grow in the likeness of Jesus. Finally, we work out from this salvation and thereby mine the spiritual riches of our inheritance in Christ. We do this knowing that in the end, by God s grace all the finished work of Jesus will be worked out in us. And that s the gospel! Getting to Know Each Other 1. What s your perspective on work? Blessing or curse? Some of both? What part of your work (vocational, at home, parenting, etc.) can you approach as a blessing? What parts feel like a curse? Getting into the Bible Read Philippians 2:12-18 12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
2. There is a world of difference between working out your salvation and working for your salvation. a. How do verses 12 and 13 help you see the difference between the two? b. What was Paul calling the Philippians to actively do in working out their salvation? (It may help you more fully answer this question to re-read Phil. 2:1-11) c. This is the third and final time Paul uses the word salvation in Philippians. How do these 2 previous occurrences help you understand what he means here in vs. 12? Phil. 1:19-30 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again. 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have. d. What was Paul saying they could expect from God as they worked out their salvation? How does the following quote help you see the depth of God s work? i. He gives both the desire and the strength to do what is pleasing to him. 1 a. In previous discussions you may have already covered the differences between works-based self-righteousness and God s gracious gift of salvation, which transforms us. In that case you may want to skip this question. i. A close look at the language reveals that working out one s salvation is not fueled by human self-effort. After all, Paul bases his appeal on God s work in us. ii. A wider understanding of how the Bible uses the word salvation can also be helpful in distinguishing the unbiblical idea of working for our salvation versus the Biblical idea of working out one s salvation. The Bible uses the word salvation 3 different ways: 1. Salvation in the past tense. Example: Titus 3:5-7. This is when we are regenerated (born again) and justified (our sinful record is paid for by grace through faith in Christ, and His righteous record is imputed to us.) Here we are 1 Foulkes, Francis, 1994. Editors, Wenham, G.J., Motyer, J.A., Carson, D.A. and France, R.T.New Bible Commentary, Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1254.
saved from the PENALTY of sin in our justification and we are no longer slaves to the power sin because of the new birth. -TITUS 3:5-7 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 2. Salvation in the present tense. Example: Our passage, but also James 1:21, where James is writing to people who are already saved, because they believe in Jesus, but he tells them that God s word is able to save their souls. Here we are continually, progressively delivered from the POWER of sin in our lives. -JAMES 1:21 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 3. Salvation in the future tense. Example: 1 Peter 1:3-9. Notice Peter says our salvation is yet to be revealed. Peter clearly has the second coming of Christ in mind. He uses the language of glory to describe what this salvation will entail. This means that in the end, we will be saved, and the world will be delivered, from the PRESENCE of sin altogether. -3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. b. Obedience is the most general answer to this question. In verse 12 Paul is calling them to obey. This is synonymous with working out our salvation. Significantly, Paul has just used the word obedience to describe what Jesus did in His humility. The example of Christ is not only one of humility it is also one of obedience (8). To such obedience, whether or not Paul is with them.the Philippians are called. 2 So, working out our salvation is imitating the humility of Jesus. Comparing this with Phil. 2:1-11 helps us see that considering others better than ourselves and humbly serving others is at the heart of working out our salvation (i.e. obedience). c. i. In Phil. 1:19 the ESV substitutes the word deliverance for the Greek word salvation. When we trace out what follows we come to this idea: Paul knows that whatever happens to him (stay in prison or get out) the glory of Christ will be on display in him. ii. In Phil. 1:28 Paul uses the word salvation for the second time in his letter to the Philippians. He tells them that if they face opposition with unity and courage it will be a sign of their salvation. In other words, it will be evidence of God s saving work in them. It only 2 Foulkes, Francis, 1254.
seems fitting that this would signify God s current saving work in them, giving them help in the face of their enemies AND God s future saving work, giving them ultimate deliverance from their enemies. - In both uses of this word Paul is talking about God s salvation in the midst of trial, suffering and persecution. For the Philippians to work this salvation out would mean for them to imitate and obey the humble sufferings of Christ, who kept His eyes on His heavenly Father and did not take matters into His own hands. It would mean for them to stick together in unity instead of being divided by the forces aligned against them. d. It opens up our eyes to see how rich God s salvation is that He actually changes our will to want what He wants. For some, the idea of free will means there is a part of our person (our will), which was not touched by sin and therefore is able to freely choose to believe in Jesus. This however does not do justice to the biblical understanding of how badly sin has polluted us. Ephesians 1:1-3 shows that before trusting Christ we were people who slavishly chose sin. Our wills are only free to choose what we actually desire, and sin has been fallen humanity s desire since the fall. But praise the grace of God, because He changes our very will to desire the things, which please Him!! In Christ our wills are set free, because He has given us the desire for the things which please Him. 3. The main command in vss. 14-16 is to do everything without grumbling or questioning. After taking a closer look at what these words mean, use these prompts to dig into these verses. a. A Closer Look How do these definitions shed light on what Paul is forbidding? i. Grumbling murmuring, an expression of dissatisfaction, grumbling, muttering in a low voice. The word was used in the LXX (Greek version of Old Testament) for the murmuring of Israel against God. It is the kind of grumbling action that promotes ill will instead of harmony and good will (Hawthorne). 3 ii. Disputing inward questioning, dispute skeptical questioning or criticism (Vincent). It refers to the intellectual questioning against God (Lightfoot). 4 b. As you trace out vss. 15 and 16 what are the results Paul ensures will come from being done with grumbling and questioning? c. How does John 1:12 help you understand the sonship language in this passage? But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God a. Being done with grumbling and complaining would have the following affect: to the watching world we would have a witness of being pure ( thoroughly wholesome in character and singleminded ) and blameless ( above criticism ) 5. In this way we would bear the family image of our 3 Rogers, Cleon L. Jr & Rogers, Cleon L. III. The Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek New Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 452. 4 Rogers & Rogers, 452. 5 Foulkes, Francis, 1254.
Holy Heavenly Father. We would truly shine like stars in the night sky a fitting analogy for people who are light in a dark world. b. John 1:12 has adoption in mind when we were born again into God s family by grace through faith. Philippians 2:15 is talking about bearing the family resemblance of our Heavenly Father as His children in the world. Application 4. What kind of emotional response do you have to the language, work out your salvation? What does this reveal about your own psychology? Your right or wrong perceptions of the gospel? Is there any change of mind to which God is calling you? Some in your group may have the mistaken idea that the gospel of grace frees us from being concerned about works. It certainly does free us from working to be accepted by God. However, the gospel of grace also frees us to do good works. Those burned by legalism may have a difficult time embracing this part of the Bible s teaching. Encourage them that God is also committed to helping them in that area of their life. In this same vein, our current study may be confronting a shallow view of grace, which makes the gospel only about acceptance and not about life change. The key for many folks will be seeing that God never lets go of their hand, but continues to lead them every step of the way in obeying the humble example of Jesus. 5. As Pastor Alan shared, the Greek word for work out can be used to describe the work of mining for ore. What spiritual gold of your salvation (benefits of being a child of God) is calling you to mine? Instead of discussion you may want to consider a time of prayer where you open with a short prayer and then invite the group to offer brief prayers about places God is calling them to work out their salvation.