Philippians 2:12-18

In our study of Philippians, we will see a church created by the sovereign grace of God, united in Christ, and participating together in the gospel. From the Lord opening Lydia’s heart in Acts 16 to Paul’s confidence that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion,” we will see that Christ is faithfully building His Church. As we walk through this letter, we will discover who we are in Christ, why we are His people, and therefore how we are to live—serving one another, striving together for the gospel, growing in love, rejoicing in the Lord, and learning with Paul to be content in whatever circumstances the Lord appoints. Together we will press on to know Christ and eagerly await the day of Christ, confident that the One who began His work in us will complete it, all to the glory and praise of God. Discover What distinguishes an authentic Christian life from one that is merely religious? How would you describe the visible character of a person whose faith is genuinely rooted in Christ Jesus? What should distinguish the shared life of our church from other organizations in the community? Nurture What thoughts and emotions does knowing that God is powerfully at work within His children stir within you? How should recognizing that God is at work in other believers affect the way you think about, speak to and treat them? Does living in a “crooked and twisted generation” challenge your commitment to “let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ? What helps you remain faithful? Act What specific decision will you make this week to embody the mind of Christ so that His light shines through you? What will you do this week to hold fast to the word of life yourself, and to whom could you hold it forth?