PHILIPPIANS BACKGROUND & CHAPTER 1 Allen Parr Slides produced by My Solid-Ground

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TESTIMONY TIME Specific Answers to Prayer What was prayed for last time, Any thing that has cropped up for you, Progress with 5’s, Local Community, Mission & International News…

RESPONSE TIME

COURSE CONTENT Background & Ch.1: How to Have Joy in Life’s Trials. Ch 2:What Does Humility Look Like? Ch.3: Is Knowing Jesus Your Highest Priority? Ch.4: I Can Do All Things Through Christ.

Quick Review READ THE PASSAGE Philippians 1 – 1-29 (NLT) Hit it!

BACKGROUND Quick Review Book: Letter from Paul AD 60-62. Place: 1st century Philippi (Macedonia) - Roman colony(founder Phillip II 356BC - Alexander the Great’s Father). Church: Found by Paul – 2nd Missionary journey AD 49. Situation: Paul in prison in Rome. Epaphroditis sent to Paul (800miles): Financial Gift (Phil 4:10-20), Update Paul on the church, Express their love for Paul. Epahroditus becomes very ill & Philippi is concerned, but he recovers. Paul sent him back with letter: To THANK them (Phil 4:10-20), To UPDATE them (Phil 1:12-20), To PASTOR them (Phil 2:4), To ENCOURAGE them (Phil 4:10-20).

WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM PHILIPPIANS 1? “HOW TO HAVE JOY IN LIFE’S TRIALS 2 Themes PAUL’S PRAYER PHILIPPIANS 1:1-11 Hit the Beat PAUL’S PERSPECTIVE PHILIPPIANS 1:12-26

all my prayers for all of you GROUP DISCUSSION PAUL’S PRAYER PHILIPPIANS 1:1-11 #1 – PRAY CONSISTENTLY I thank my God EVERY TIME I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy. Phil. 1:3-4 1. What is it to be consistent? & Why is it important? 2. What are the obstacles for us to be able to do this? 3. How do you, or should you be consistent? Any methods you can tell us about?

PAUL’S PRAYER GROUP DISCUSSION APPLICATION #1 #2 – PRAY SPECIFICALLY PHILIPPIANS 1:1-11 #2 – PRAY SPECIFICALLY And this is my prayer that your LOVE may abound more and more in KNOWLEDGE Phil. 1:10 …so that you may be able to DISCERN what is best Phil. 1:9 …and may be PURE and BLAMELESS for the day of Christ. …and DEPTH OF INSIGHT 1. What is the value of being specific? & What if you don’t know what to pray for? B APPLICATION #1 PRAY CONSISTENTLY AND SPECIFICALLY FOR PEOPLE… What can you commit to this week? 2. In what ways are you, or can you be specific in your prayer?

For everyone here… knows I am in chains because of Christ… GROUP DISCUSSION PAUL’S PERSPCTIVE PHILIPPIANS 1:12-26 #1 … On his PROBLEMS … everything that has happened to me here has HELPED SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS… Phil. 1:12 For everyone here… knows I am in chains because of Christ… Phil. 1:13 1. What situations have you faced where you felt that you missed the opportunity to tell someone about Jesus? 2. Have you been in an awkward situation, but you were still able to tell about Jesus? 3. Do your friends and colleagues know that you are a Christian? If not, what do you think is stopping you?

BE MINDFUL THAT OTHERS ARE WATCHING HOW YOU HANDLE YOUR TRIALS GROUP DISCUSSION PAUL’S PERSPCTIVE PHILIPPIANS 1:12-26 #2 …On his PROBLEMS AND BECAUSE OF MY IMPRISONMENT, most of the believers here have gained CONFIDENCE and BOLDLY speak God’s message without fear. Phil. 1:14 1. It what ways do you think people are watching you to see how you handle difficult situations in a Jesus-like way ? APPLICATION #2 LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES WHATEVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS, AND TO ENCOURAGE OTHER CHRISTIANS B 2. When have you watched others is the same way? APPLICATION #3 BE MINDFUL THAT OTHERS ARE WATCHING HOW YOU HANDLE YOUR TRIALS B 3. Did it provide you confidence and boldness? If so, to do what for the kingdom?

MOVE FROM AN “EMPIRE” TO A “KINGDOM” MENTALITY GROUP DISCUSSION PAUL’S PERSPCTIVE PHILIPPIANS 1:12-26 #1 … On MINISTRY It’s true that some are preaching out of JEALOUSY and RIVALRY… intending to make my chains more painful for me… Phil. 1:15-17 Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached EITHER WAY so I rejoice. Phil. 1:15-18 1. Why is an “Empire” mentality different from a “Kingdom” ? B APPLICATION #4 MOVE FROM AN “EMPIRE” TO A “KINGDOM” MENTALITY 2. Where could this be seen in our times?

PAUL’S PERSPCTIVE GROUP DISCUSSION APPLICATION #5 #1 …On LIFE PHILIPPIANS 1:12-26 #1 …On LIFE To live is CHRIST and to die is GAIN. Phil. 1:21 I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. 1. Do you view Heaven in the same way? If not, how do you view it” B APPLICATION #5 DON’T GET SO CAUGHT UP ON EARTH THAT YOU FORGET ABOUT HEAVEN 2. What about the proverb “He’s so Heavenly- minded as to be no Earthly use”?

CONCLUSION APPLICATION #1 APPLICATION #4 APPLICATION #2 APPLICATION #5 B APPLICATION #1 PRAY CONSISTENTLY AND SPECIFICALLY FOR PEOPLE… What can you commit to this week? B APPLICATION #4 MOVE FROM AN “EMPIRE” TO A “KINGDOM” MENTALITY B APPLICATION #2 LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES WHATEVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCE TO TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS, AND TO ENCOURAGE OTHER CHRISTIANS B APPLICATION #5 DON’T GET SO CAUGHT UP ON EARTH THAT YOU FORGET ABOUT HEAVEN B APPLICATION #3 BE MINDFUL THAT OTHERS ARE WATCHING HOW YOU HANDLE YOUR TRIALS

RESPONSE TIME

Ephesians 6:18 “18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere..” NLT LET’S PRAY Specific situations Prayer 5’s Local Situations International News James 5:13 “13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises...”