Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work. I love what Paul has to say here. He feels as if the joy that comes from this work is incarnated in the person he gets to share it with. His joy and reward are those people who accept the gospel and allow God to work t...  Read More

INTRODUCTION The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things. OPEN QUESTIONS Share about a goal or accomplishment that you are particular proud of, that took you some time to achieve. What kept you ...  Read More

Philippians 3:20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.Roman citizenship was a highly prized commodity in the ancient world. With it came many righ...  Read More

Philippians 3: 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.Here, Paul does not seem to be speaking of those who do not proclaim C...  Read More

Philippians 3:17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.Does it sound arrogant for Paul to tell people to follow his example? He wants them to pattern their lives after his. I think if we heard a pastor or a preacher say this, we would be concerned. Should we be concerned that Paul throws this out like it is conventional wisdom? Paul d...  Read More

Philippians 3:15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.I know this is the same text, but I wanted to spend some more time on faith maturity. In fact, I have a little faith maturity test that I’d love for you to take today, I have left space to do i...  Read More