Off the Shelf Sunday School--Philippians

Background

Paul wrote Philippians around 60AD while he was a prisoner in Rome. He had visited Philippi during his second missionary journey (49-52AD). Philippi was a Roman colony in Macedonia (northern Greece) named after the father of Alexander the Great. When Paul wrote this letter, the church was well established. This epistle is a thank you letter from Paul, after receiving a gift of money from the church. This letter is full of joy and rejoicing. It contains positive themes and encouragement, stressing unity, humility and self-sacrifice.

Thanksgiving (1:1-7)

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.

1.         Paul begins by calling himself a servant of Christ. This is a humble way to begin this letter and contrasts with some of his other letters, in which he refers to his authority as an apostle. Why do you think he does this? How does this set the tone for this letter? (1 Cor 1:1; Col 1:1)

2.         Born-again believers in Jesus are saints. Saints are people who have been made holy by the blood sacrifice of Jesus. They are also set apart to be his witnesses and to do good works. Saints are special because God makes them so. (Eph 2:9-10; 1 Pet 2:9-10) How does this Biblical teaching compare with popular thinking about saints?

3.         Paul mentions that there were overseers and deacons in the church. Overseers might be elders or bishops, who were mainly concerned with teaching, spiritual growth and discipline. Deacons were likely mainly concerned with mercy ministries and the physical needs of the church. How does this model compare with your church? 

4.         Paul gives thanks for their faithfulness in preaching and living according to the gospel. Born-again Christians can be sure that God is working in them, through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our seal, our deposit and our assurance that God is with us. God will keep his promises to save us and redeem our bodies at the resurrection. (Mt 22:29-30; Jn 14:15-17; 1 Cor 6:19-20; 2 Th 2:13-17) (How does knowing God’s promises make you feel?)