READ : Philippians 1

Read it for what it is: a letter, written from one person to a group of people in this case. As you read, highlight or underline anything that jumps out at you as significant. Also note any words or statements that “trip you up” or need clarification. Pray as you go through the weekly devotional that God will make clear exactly what He is saying to you.

Write out:

1. Thoughts you have.

2. Questions to ask.

3. Words I don’t understand.

READ: Philippians 1:3-8

Notice that just thinking about the Philippians gives Paul great cause for thankfulness and joy. He is blessed by their “partnership in the gospel” with him.

Can you think of someone(s) in your own life who has evoked these same kinds of feelings in you? Perhaps it’s a pastor, missionary you’re supporting or a mentor that has guided you in spiritual matters.

Rejoice and give thanks to God for their company on the journey with you, to serve Christ and be a light to the world. Maybe something like this can get you started:

Father, we are all in debt to someone for taking the time to share the good news of your grace and forgiveness to us. Thank you for _____________________ right now, for their love and concern for my eternal destiny. Just the mention of their name(s) fills me with joy and thanksgiving for the time we were able to spend together and for all that I was able to learn from them about having a relationship with you and living daily in intimate fellowship with you.

Now read Philippians 1:9-11 Regarding this same person(s), are you praying for them?

Paul himself asked the Colossian church to pray for his ministry— for opportunities to proclaim the Gospel and to do it clearly (Colossians 4:2). When we pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are partnering with them in their ministry, encouraging and strengthening them. So, pray:

-that God would prepare the way ahead of them and the hearts of the people they come in contact with to be ready to listen to their message.

-for the words they say to be truthful and inherently clear, that there would be no misunderstanding.

-that they would do everything in love, with humility and pure motivation.

-that their lives would be righteous and bring glory and praise to God.

READ : Philippians 1:12-13

Paul is writing this letter from a prison cell in Rome, hence his “chains”. He is letting his Philippian brothers and sisters know that God is still using him and that the gospel is being preached. In fact, the whole palace guard is aware of the reason that Paul was arrested; for preaching the good news of Jesus! In Philippians 4:22 he says, “All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.” Amazing!

Think of a time when something “bad” was happening to you. Did you use that time as an opportunity to share your faith in Christ? Perhaps you didn’t even realize that someone was watching. Did you find out later that the gospel was “preached” and impacted someone else’s life?

So often we forget that it’s not only our words that “shine the lights bright on Jesus”, as Pastor Dan would say, but that the way we demonstrate our faith through our actions and responses to what life throws at us as well.

Read Matthew 5:16. Philippians 1:14 says that other believers were encouraged and emboldened because of watching Paul in his imprisonment. Instead of running scared, they became fearless proclaimers of the Good News!

What keeps you from letting the world know that you are a Christ follower?

Paul knew he was in prison because of his faith. We may never get arrested, but sometimes when people pepper us with questions about our beliefs, we feel inadequate to give a defense. Mark 13:11 reminds us that we are not left alone: “Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.”

Will you also allow the examples of other brave Christians to inspire and energize you to “press on”? How might this look in your life?

READ : Philippians 1:18-26 and 1 Peter 4:12-16

Paul continues to rejoice, even in the face of imminent danger and the possibility of death. It is no longer a question of his own welfare that directs his existence but whether or not he is doing justice to the gospel. Whatever God chooses for him, a continued life in ministry or death for the cause of Christ, Paul is happy, content and willing.

Are you willing to give your life for the sake of the gospel? (See 1 Corinthians 9:23)

This may not mean death for you but it may mean struggle in this life: trouble in relationships, rejection, standing alone for your faith. Read the remainder of the chapter (verses 27-30) and take courage, we are not alone! Not only do we have the Holy Spirit within us but we have the “brotherhood of believers” as we “stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” (verse 27). That is powerful! The prayers and encouragement of others can help us through whatever we come up against as we live our lives for Christ and share our faith with the world. Rejoice!

Can you remember a time of difficulty when you knew you weren’t fighting alone—that someone, somewhere was praying for you?

Who comes to mind right now that may be in need of your prayer cover?

Will you stop and pray?

“So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others”. Romans 12:5

READ : Philippians 2

The outstanding themes of chapter 2 are unity, humility and brotherly love. Fill in the following spaces:

Thoughts on unity:

Thoughts on humility:

Thoughts on brotherly love:

Again, take note: Thoughts I have:

Questions to ask:

Words I don’t know:

Christ is a unifier. He has no part in arguments, dissensions and divisions.

READ : Read Philippians 2:1-4, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Galatians 3:8; and I Peter 3:8

Do you need to be right all the time? What is your reason for wanting to be right?

Pride is competitive and can cause conflict. Are you able to set your pride aside and let someone else have the answer?

Jesus was God in the flesh, yet He didn’t throw His weight around (see Phil. 2:6).

Do you seek to cooperate with other believers?

Are you a vessel for reconciliation or for “muddying the waters”?

READ : Philippians 2:6-11 and John 13:3-5

We are to be like Jesus. That’s a tall order! Fortunately, God’s Holy Spirit lives within all believers to strengthen, equip and enable us to be successful at living God’s way. The key word here is humility. Jesus had it and God requires it of us.

Read Proverbs 22:4; Micah 6:8; and Romans 12:3

Why do you think humility is so important for a follower of Christ?

What do you think it means to “think of yourself with sober judgment” (Romans 12:3)?

READ : Philippians 2:14-16 and Matthew 5:14-16

We are the hope of the Gospel and the world is watching! We should live radiant lives in which our conduct gives testimony to Christ in us. We should do all things in His name, for His sake, and to His glory.

Take stock of the words you spoke and the actions you displayed today. Would God want the credit for them?

Paul says in Romans 7:18-19: “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good, is not. For the good that I want to do I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.”

What area of “good” do you have trouble being able to do?

What is the evil that keeps tripping you up?

Take heart and remember that Christ is the strength to our weakness and gets to display His power in us through our shortcomings (II Corinthians 12:9). He in turn receives the glory.

READ : Re-read Philippians, chapter 2

Look back at day one of this week (Chapter 2) and re-evaluate the following:

Any new thoughts to add to the list?

Did you look up the words you didn’t understand?

Did you find answers to your original questions as you studied this week?

READ : Read Philippians 3

As you read, highlight or underline anything that jumps out at you as significant. Also note any words or statements that “trip you up” or need clarification.

Pray as you go through the weekly devotional that God will make clear exactly what He is saying to you.

Thoughts I have_____________

Questions to ask_____________

Words I don’t understand__________

Chapter 3 hits home, that our righteousness is found in Christ alone and we are to rejoice in that knowledge. Paul says in verse 1 that “it is a safeguard for you”. If we allow ourselves to be distracted by rules and traditions as an addendum to God’s grace, we will likely lose our focus.

Like in the Lion King, when Simba’s father tells him, “remember who you are”, we are to remember whose we are.

Read I Corinthians 6:19-20

What does it mean that we were bought with a price?

How should that make a difference to us?

READ : I Corinthians 7:17-40

Read Philippians 3:2-7, Luke 20:46-47, and Romans 2:9-11

Paul had quite a list of credentials behind his name and there were many religious leaders in his day that “rested on their laurels”. What Paul discovered after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9) was that none of that mattered anymore. Paul went so far as to say that all of his breeding and accomplishments were like trash or, as it reads in The Message translation, “dog dung”!

Do you struggle with seeing yourself as better than others?

Do you see yourself as better than others in the church?

What do you need to surrender- your pride in your wealth, education, accomplishments, so that your boasting can be in Christ alone?

READ : Read Philippians 3:12-16, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Paul uses the example of running a race as an analogy to the Christian life. Just as a runner cannot run as well if he is always looking behind him, so we too, need to keep our eyes on Jesus in order to keep maturing in our faith. Paul says “straining” toward what is ahead. Can’t you just see the visual of the runner leaning for all he’s worth to cross over the finish line?

What does it mean “forgetting what is behind”?

Are you in “strict training” or are you just “beating the air”?

What needs to change for you to be in “strict training”?

READ : Re-read Philippians 3

Look back at day one of this week and reevaluate the following:

Any new thoughts to add to the list?_____________

Did you look up the words you didn’t understand?________________

Did you find answers to your original questions as you studied this week?_______________

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

Read Philippians 4

Write a word or phrase to define what it means to be each of the following according to this passage:

United?____________________

Gentle?____________________

Thankful?__________________

Content?__________________

Don’t forget to highlight or underline anything that jumps out at you as significant. Also note any words or statements that “trip you up” or need clarification.

Pray as you go through the weekly devotional that God will make clear exactly what He is saying to you.

Thoughts I have__________________

Questions to ask_________________

Words I don’t understand___________

READ : Read Romans12:16-18, Ephesians 4:29-32 and Colossians 3:15-17

By Philippians chapter 4, Paul comes full circle in his admonition to be united with each other in Christ. He encourages sisters to get along—to set aside their differences because together, they actually are making great strides for the gospel. He also encourages others in the body of Christ to help them work through their problems.

Ask yourself, “am I a team player”?

Am I allowing/encouraging others to use their gifts or am I getting in the way?

What might be getting in the way of my “agreeing” with a brother or sister in the body of believers?

Is there actually someone I need to forgive/ask for forgiveness over some disagreement?

Ever hear the saying, “Know God, know peace. No God, no peace”? So true and yet, many of us who know Christ, still live with constant anxiety about everything!

Read Philippians 4:4-8, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and Isaiah 26:3

The solution for peace is simple: rejoice in the Lord, be thankful to him and keep your mind on the things of God.

What are you anxious about at this very moment?

What things are a constant cause of worry for you?

You can trust God or you can worry. Will you put your anxious thoughts in His very capable hands?

Attitude is paramount! If we are focused on being thankful, it’s much harder to see deficiencies in our lives. We are suddenly aware of all that we have and how we have been blessed. It’s kind of hard to complain in light of that.

Begin a specific list of everything (sight, family, job, abilities, air/ water, freedom etc.) you can be thankful for. Read it and add to it daily/weekly. See how it changes your perspective and your “peace”.

Read Philippians 4:10-13 and 1 Timothy 1:12

Paul basically says that he is ready for whatever life throws at him because of the strength that is his in Christ. God has gone ahead of him, equipped him, and will walk him through it.

Are you content with where God has you right now?

What does being content/discontent look like for you in your current situation?

Are you trusting that He is aware of what is coming down the road and will make you ready for it?

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Re-read Philippians 4

Look back at day one of this week (Chapter 4) and re-evaluate the following:

Any new thoughts to add to the list?

Did you look up the words you didn’t understand?

Did you find answers to your original questions as you studied this week?