by Bethan Perry
Paul is in prison, probably in Rome in 60AD and he’s writing a letter to the church in Philippi. Acts 16 tells us of Paul’s first journey to Philippi where Lydia became a Christian, a demon-possessed girl was freed, and the town jailer famously asked, “What must I do to be saved?” He and his family trusted in Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Go read Acts 16 and imagine some of those people now in the church in Philippi, listening to Paul’s letter being read out.
Starter question: What brings you joy? What makes you worried?
Q1. Even as Paul rebukes some Philippian Christians, he shows his love towards them. How does Paul describe people in v2-3 and what does that tell us about important they are to Paul and his work?
Q2. Paul’s letter to the Philippians is sometimes called the ‘epistle of joy’. In v4, Paul commands them to rejoice. What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord? Look back over Philippians to see what brings Paul joy. (Start with 1;18 2:18, 3:1 4;4, 4:10)
Q3. Paul reminds the Philippians that Jesus is near, then tells them not to be anxious. What are they to do instead of being anxious (v6)? And what will God do (v7)?
Q4. Paul continues to instruct us on the battle in our mind and how important it is to chose wisely what we fill our minds with. Look at v8, what should we fill our minds with? What would be the opposite of those things?
Personal reflection: