The Community of the Philippians

Philippians 4:1-23

Memory Verse

“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ”.

Philippians 1:6

Real-life Problems

We live in a very unstable time, just as Paul did. For each of us, that instability looks different. For some,

it’s family conflict. For others, it's persecution. No matter the instability, it sometimes feels as though we can’t really count on much in our lives, which might lead to some hopelessness every now and then.

The Good News

God is a God who delights in providing for His people. Even in the midst of uncertainty, we can rest in the peace of Christ (4:7) and in the hope that God will restore all things to perfection (3:20-21) some day.

I. Introduction

OPENING QUESTIONS

Idea #1: When you think of God, what words and images come to mind? When God thinks about you, what words or images do you imagine come to His mind?

Idea #2: What causes you anxiety or worry in your life? What are common sources of anxiety for your friends or classmates?

Idea #3: What are the qualities that make some of the great movie heroes (Optimus Prime, Dumbledore, Gandalf) so great?

PRAY

Open your time together in prayer.

REHEARSING THE GOSPEL

What does gospel mean? Good news

What’s the good news? Jesus died for my sins

Why did He die for your sins?

So that I can have abundant life in relationship with Him now and forever

What is grace?

God’s love for undeserving sinners

REVIEW

Who wrote the book of Philippians?

Paul of Tarsus, the persecutor of the church who was converted on the Damascus road

Who was the original audience of this book? The church in Philippi, which Paul planted

Why was the book of Philippians written?

To help us understand that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of

Christ Jesus” (1:6)

What’s going on?

REMIND

The letter to the Philippians was written to encourage the Philippians to hold fast to the true gospel in light of people who wanted to teach them a false one. Indeed, God is the one holding them fast and will certainly bring them to growth in grace.

Paul has given us a lot of doctrine over the course of the first three chapters of this letter. He has talked a lot about Jesus, justification, and sanctification. Now, as he closes the letter, he’s going to bring this to bear uniquely onto the community of the Philippians. He is going to put legs on the doctrine he’s given us and show us what Christian community is supposed to look like.

TODAY WE’LL LEARN

What we believe about God really matters for our daily lives.

In order to know Jesus better and to love Him more, we should concentrate on things that are good, true, and lovely.

God is our Father, and He delights in providing for His children. He will always do so.

Read

Read Philippians 4:1-23 aloud in your group.

II. Questions for Discussion

A. WHAT?

What does Paul say about the brothers at Philippi in verse 1?

That he loves them and longs for them, that they are his joy and crown, and, finally, he encourages them to stand firm in the Lord.

You Get a Car!

Show students the Oprah meme where she says, “You get a car! You get a car! You get a car!”

What is Oprah doing here?

In a way, she’s encouraging the folks in her live audience by blessing them with a car.

How is this like what Paul is doing in this passage?

Similarly, Paul is exhorting the Philippians. As he closes his letter out, he’s making sure to say, “You have Christ! You have Christ! You have Christ!” In fact, he’s saying the same thing to us even today.

What does Paul mean by “reasonableness” (4:5)?

He means the charity of the Philippians, or the ability they have to make sure everyone is heard, accounted for, and dealt with how they ought to be dealt with—reasonably.

What does Paul tell believers to meditate on and practice in verses 8-9?

He says to meditate on (or think about often) "whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, or praiseworthy." He also says to practice (make a habit of doing) what they have learned from Paul and seen him doing.

How has the Philippian church embodied the idea of Christian community Paul spoke of earlier (4:14-20)? They shared his trouble, they partnered with Paul when nobody else would, they sent help for his needs, and he is supplied sufficiently because of them.

What does God think of the Philippians?

Paul says that “my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Thus, we see that God is one who supplies not only Paul through the Philippians, but also the Philippians, with everything they need.

B. SO WHAT?

What is Paul asking of the Philippians in verses 2-3? What does it mean to agree "in the Lord"?

He is exhorting the Philippians to resolve their conflicts with members of the community, namely between Euodia and Syntyche. Here, Paul is applying his teaching on Christian community from 1:18-2:4 directly to the issues the church is facing right now. These sisters are to agree “in the Lord,” meaning they are to agree because of their common identity as Christians.

In verse 4, Paul tells the Philippians to rejoice—not once, but twice. What do you think the repetition means?

Paul, after just finishing writing of who Christ is and what He has done, sees fit to encourage the Philippian church to rejoice. However, he says “rejoice” twice, which makes clear that this rejoicing is not to be simply a one-time thing, but rather the lives of the Philippians are to be characterized by a habit of rejoicing.

How do you think Paul has embodied the command to rejoice in verse 4?

Paul, regardless of the position he’s in, always rejoices. He starts all of his letters off with the words or some variant of “grace and peace,” and he often tells the recipients of his letters of his joy in them. Paul’s joy is rooted in Christ, not in his circumstances.

What is the significance of Paul’s saying that the Lord is at hand in verse 5b?

The fact that the Lord is at hand is the ground or rationale of everything that comes after. Paul encourages the believers not to be anxious and to let their requests be known to God. They are to do these things because the Lord is at hand! After the resurrection of Jesus, the age to come has dawned. The earth is being recreated. So, don’t be anxious and experience the peace of Christ, because God has done what He promised.

What do we know about Paul's circumstances when writing this letter that make it particularly meaningful that he is the one commanding them not to be anxious (4:6)?

If anyone has a right to be anxious, surely it is Paul. He has been through terrible punishment over the course of his life and he is currently in jail. Yet, he knows that his captors don’t hold the final word, but Christ does and Christ loves him so much that He died for him. Paul trusts in the Lord's control and power over his own.

How is Philippians 4:13 often used? Reading it in the context of verses 11-12, what do you think it means?

Philippians 4:13 is often used as a sort of mantra, to encourage us that we can accomplish any goal that we set our minds to because Jesus is with us—He will give us an A on a test, allow us to win the 4x400m relay, or help us to get the job we want. In verses 11-12, Paul is talking mainly about how he is able to be content even when he is in great need. Verse 13 makes it clear that he is able to remain content in spite of hardship and need because Jesus gives him the strength to do so. So Paul is not so much talking about performance on a test he didn’t study for, but more to his ability to live to the glory of God in any situation.

C. NOW WHAT?

What does it look like for you to meditate on things which are just and lovely (4:8)? What are those things?

What does it feel like to hear “do not be anxious” from Paul? Have you ever struggled with worry or anxiety?

Anxiety is extremely common today, especially among teenagers. Sometimes it can be our body's natural and good reaction to truly scary things. There is no shame in that. However, sometimes we can increase our own worry and anxiety by trying to be our own savior, trying to control what we cannot control, and by refusing to rest in the Father's love. It might feel trite on one level, because it might seem like your anxiety is being made light. But on another level, Paul is telling us that we can rest because God is in control of all things.

What is Paul's main concern for the broader church in this chapter?

Some of Paul’s advice is pretty Philippi-specific. Yet, we can still glean a lot from this chapter. We know that conflict resolution in the Lord is important (4:2-3); that we should rejoice and not be anxious (4:4-7); that we should think on things that are good and God-honoring (4:8-9); and that we should help those in need (4:10-20).

Main takeaway

What we believe about God will really influence how we live our lives. All of Paul’s practical advice in chapter 4 flows from his doctrine in chapters 1-3.

III. Closing

REMEMBERING THE GOOD NEWS

God is a God who delights in providing for His people. Even in the midst of uncertainty, we can rest in the peace of Christ (4:7) and in the hope that God will restore all things to perfection (3:20-21). God knows you and loves you so incredibly much, and this is no less true during times of anxiety or uncertainty.

CLOSE IN PRAYER

Lord, You have come to us, saved us, sent us Your Spirit, and given us Your Word. Give us the desire to look into it to know more about You and help us to avoid neglecting it. Help us to live to Your glory and for a relationship with You. Amen.

Supporting Resources

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

What things should you concentrate on that are true and lovely (4:8)?

Where are some areas in your life where you are anxious or stressed (4:6)?

Where can Christ strengthen you (4:13)?

QUESTIONS FOR PARENTS

What lovely or just things related to Christ do you meditate on (4:13)?

How do you rejoice always in Christ (4:4)?

How has God provided for you over the course of your life (4:10-20)?