Connections That Unite Us

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Introduction

Building a Wall

Connected for Strength

Gather

• Assorted building blocks.

Steps

1 . Assemble a line of building blocks, touching end-to-end. Step back a few paces and roll a ball toward the line.

2. Evaluate the wall's strength.

ASK: Why was my block line so easy to break? The blocks weren't attached to each other.

ASK: What could I do to reinforce the line and create a stronger group of blocks?

3. Organize the class into small groups and give each group an equal number of building blocks. Students work together to create the strongest wall they can within the three-minute time limit.

4. Roll the ball at each block wall.

5. Students vote on which wall they think was the strongest and then discuss the activity.

ASK: What made the winning wall so resistant to the outside force?

ASK: In what ways might people unite to make each other stronger? Forming support groups, cooperating on a sports team, family members coming together in a time of tragedy.

6. Transition to Bible lesson.

We strengthened our walls by overlapping the blocks and providing multiple connection points. Christians, too, need to connect and reinforce each other to stay strong. In today's lesson, Paul urged believers to stay connected to increase their collective strength.

Philippians 1:27–30 KJV 1900

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Connected to Christ

Paul wrote that he wanted to visit the church in Philippi again, but he had no idea if that would actually happen. The Philippians didn't need to wait for a visit, though, to receive profitable instruction from the apostle.

Expected conduct

Stop after the first phrase

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Paul began his instruction with a word translated as "only. " The word means "above all" or "at ali costs, " and it stresses the importance of the admonition that follows it. Paul urged his readers to let their conversation, or conduct, be worthy of the gospel of Christ.

ASK: How would you describe a person who lives in a manner worthy of the gospel?

Paul challenged the believers in Philippi to live according to their belief in the good news of Jesus Christ. Their belief in Jesus Christ as Savior should manifest itself in their actions and attitudes.

The phrasing Paul used in his command has the idea of "live as a citizen. " Because Philippi was a Roman colony, the people of Philippi enjoyed both the privileges and the responsibilities of Roman citizenship. So even though they lived in Philippi, they were expected to live as Roman citizens. Similarly, even though the Philippian believers lived in Philippi, they were expected to live as citizens of Heaven.

As the Philippians lived out their belief in the gospel, they would demonstrate the qualities of their heavenly citizenship and would build a solid basis for witnessing to their neighbors. Lives demonstrating Christlike qualities, such as holiness, gentleness, generosity, justice, sincerity, and love, would serve as a beacon to the beautiful truth of Jesus Christ.

We, too, need to conduct ourselves in a manner that corresponds to the message of Jesus Christ. We must live as citizens of Heaven. A godly life provides a great testimony to Christianity, and it contributes to a harmonious relationship with others as we serve the Lord.

ACTIVITY: Write the references Ephesians 4: 1—3 and Colossians 1 : 10-12 as two headings on the board. Assign one half of your students to look up one reference and the other half to look up the other reference. Have students call out qualities of a worthy walk listed in these passages. Write students' answers underneath each heading on the board.

ASK: If believers find that their lives don't align with their faith in the gospel, what could they do? Review and rehearse what they believe; identify competing worldly beliefs; confess sin; ask God to help in making behavior changes.

While everyone naturally makes decisions according to their beliefs, it doesn't follow that all believers will naturally live in line with the gospel. If that were true, Paul's words in Philippians 1 :27 would have been unnecessary. We know that we are citizens of Heaven and should live as such. But we are still on earth, and the beliefs of our world encroach on our minds and our actions.

We can live out our faith more effectively as we continue to learn all the beautiful facets of the gospel and as we identify and discard all the sinful facets of the world's messages. God patiently forgives, renews, and guides us as we seek to honor Him in the way we live.

Expected conflict

Philippians 1:29 KJV 1900

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Paul was clearly suffering for the sake of Christ, and so were the Philippian believers. They may not have been in prison, but they experienced much opposition from the government, Judaizers, and heretical sects. Paul, however, didn't view suffering as negative or even something to avoid. The word he used for "given" or "granted" means "given graciously and generously," implying goodwill on the part of the giver.

Just as walking in alignment with the gospel is an expected part of the Christian life, so also suffering is to be expected.

John 15:18–19 KJV 1900

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

ASK: Why should believers expect to suffer? Because Jesus suffered; because they don't belong to the world, so the world hates them,

We, too, must struggle against opposing forces as we do the Lord's work. The devil will never let us coast along. He will battle us every inch of our journey to Heaven. Nevertheless, the Lord is always with us, and His power is never in short supply. In His strength we will prevail. We can draw comfort and strength from Paul's words to the Philippians that our suffering for Christ's sake is a gift of His grace.

Connected in Christ

Philippians 1:27 KJV 1900

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

ASK: Summarize in five words or less what Paul wanted to hear about the Philippians.

One spirit

News may have not traveled fast in the first century, but it still traveled. And Paul had something in mind he wished to hear about the Philippians. First, he wanted to hear that the believers were standing fast, or firm, in one spirit. Standing in one spirit refers to the unflinching courage soldiers show when they refuse to leave their posts despite the battle's severity.

ASK: What motivates a soldier to stand firm in battle? Allegiance to country and a sense of duty.

ASK: How does this motivation translate to the Christian life? Our allegiance to God and our duty to the gospel can motivate us to remain unmovable.

When Paul referred to "one spirit," he may have been referring to standing fast in the Holy Spirit or to one attitude or state of mind. We can't have one without the other To stand fast in one spirit is possible only if believers are standing fast in the Holy Spirit. Standing fast in the Holy Spirit implies unity of spirit. Unity is what the Philippians needed in order to represent Christ well in Philippi.

Think of all the different types of people in gospel-preaching churches around the world. Even within an individual church there are people with many different personalities, abilities, and experiences. Believers don't need to have a lot in common to be of one spirit, for they all have the most important thing in common: they are indwelt by the Spirit of Christ.

One mind

ASK: When have you witnessed or been part of a divided team? How did the division affect the team's performance?

Paul wanted to hear a report that the believers were not just holding their ground but were also striving together for the sake of the gospel. The believers were to be struggling side-by-side in a joint effort against forces that opposed the gospel.

Again, Paul emphasized the need for unity. "With one mind" doesn't mean that no one gets to have opinions or ideas. It means that as the believers defended and advanced the doctrines attached to the gospel, they did it in agreement, presenting a unified front.

Imagine a youth outreach event in which multiple group members are competing against each other for control instead of working together. The event wouldn't be effective.

ASK: What might a divisive church communicate to the world concerning the gospel? That it doesn't bring people together, that it doesn't transform people.

Paul pictured the church at Philippi working together as a team, struggling together—not as individuals but as one unit with one mind focused on one goal. Implied in Paul's teaching is the idea that believers' attitudes toward furthering the gospel will positively or negatively affect other believers. Team members who do less than their best won't inspire others to give their best. In fact, slacking believers are prone to slow down the spiritual pace of believers around them.

One boldness

Philippians 1:28 KJV 1900

And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

ASK: In the context of standing firm and striving together, what fears might paralyze the Philippian believers? Persecution, imprisonment, martyrdom, physical harm.

As the Philippians took on the daunting task of standing strong together and struggling side by side to spread the gospel, they would undoubtedly face hardship. In referring to their potential fears, Paul used a word that described the uncontrollable stampede of startled horses. Paul knew the Philippians could become so intimidated by opponents that they would panic like terrified horses. They needed to take a united stand for the gospel instead.

Early Christians faced many adversaries, including false teachers, upset family members, and the government. Nero, the emperor of Rome, became a formidable adversary when he led in the persecution of believers. Rome charged the Christians with being unsocial and exclusive, with proselytizing, and with immorality. Under Nero's direction, Rome declared Christians to be enemies of the empire.

The unbelieving Jews in Philippi also opposed the Philippian believers. The Jews rejected and resented them. They wanted to draw the believers into Judaism. Paul later warned the Philippian church about such Jews (3:18, 19).

Of course, Satan was the Philippians' primary enemy. He was doing all he could to discourage the church and cause divisions within it

1 Peter 5:8–9 KJV 1900

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

As the believers endured persecution from their enemies, they would demonstrate their deep trust in God and their certainty about their future. Experiencing persecution for the sake of Christ was evidence that they belonged to Christ (John 1 5:18, 19). Taking a courageous stand would confirm their beliefs while grounding the Philippians in their faith.

Those persecuting the Philippians knew no such certainty; they had no such guarantees from their fickle gods. The believers' steadfastness in the face of danger would authenticate their message and serve as a warning sign of their persecutors' doom.

ASK: What opponents of the gospel do we face today?

Unbelievers, false teachers and preachers, false religions, critics of Christianity, perverted ideas of the world, self-centered perspectives, materialistic attitudes.

ASK: How might Satan use our fears to prevent our unity and our defense of the gospel? Fear can keep us from taking action, cause us to withdraw from others and from society, or cause feelings of hopelessness.

One conflict

Philippians 1:30 KJV 1900

Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Paul reinforced the reality of Christian suffering by referring to his own suffering. The Philippians were experiencing the same conflict he was experiencing. Paul put his emphasis on the word "same. " The Philippians and Paul endured the same struggle. They were all suffering for the name of Jesus Christ.

ASK: How had the Philippians seen Paul suffer in their own city? He had been beaten severely and imprisoned.

Paul reminded the Philippians of his sufferings in order to inspire them. He rejoiced in the opportunity to suffer for the sake of Christ and hoped his example might encourage the Philippians in their struggles. They were in the same battle for the gospel, and as Paul persevered, so could they.

ASK: How can connection with other believers help us in our struggle for the truth of the gospel today?

We, too, participate in a struggle. We currently face little or no persecution as the early Christians did, but our enemy is no less ferocious. The days of the persecution of believers in the United States are now perhaps on the horizon. We should live as if the world will one day persecute us for our beliefs. Developing strong connections in Christ will help us stand for Christ when persecution comes.

We all face inward conflict. As we struggle inwardly to obey God in a sinful world, we still need each other for strength, encouragement, and support. Godly believers can help us remember the one spirit and one mind that we must maintain. They can point us back to what's important when we become fearful or get off track. As believers unite for the common goal of spreading the gospel, we can motivate and inspire each other as we strive to live out our faith.