Philippians 4:21-23

Final Greetings

21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22 All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. 


~ How do you treat fellow believers? Do you live as if each is worthy of your concern?
~ What was the importance of Paul putting an amen at the end of this letter?

Philippians 4:14-20

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


~ What is your motive and attitude behind giving to the church or others? What does the bible say it takes for our gifts to be pleasing to God?
~ In what ways has God used others to meet your needs lately? How have you witnessed Gods faithfulness in this?

Philippians 4:10-13

Thanks for Their Gifts

10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.


~ Is there an area of your life that you struggle to find contentment? If so what might it take for you to rely on God's strength in this area?
~ How are your current circumstances affecting you? How might we pray for you today?

Philippians 4:8-9

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.


~ What things do you spend most of your day thinking of? Would you consider your thought life to be a healthy one? Why or why not?
~ What have you received so far in Philippians that you have been able to put into practice? How has God brought you peace through it?

Philippians 4:4-7

Final Exhortations

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.


~ In what ways might a Christ follower let their gentleness be known to all men? What areas might you be struggling with being gentle? Will you spend some time being honest with God about this area today?
~ How have you experienced the peace of God guarding your heart?

Philippians 4:2-3

2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.


~ How have you witnessed the destruction disunity can stir up in the church?  Is there an area of disunity affecting you right now and if so will you seek God for help?
~ Who is it God has placed in your path that needs your help today?  Are you willing to help them even if it is inconvenient?

Philippians 4:1

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

1 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!


~ How are you currently experiencing my joy from community with fellow believers? How might God be challenging you to set out of your comfort zone and let others in?
~ Paul gave the instructions to 'stand firm in the Lord'; What do you think he meant by that and how are you standing firm in your daily walk?

Philippians 3:17-21

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.



~ What people do you think Paul was talking about verses 18-19?
~ How do you see God's sovereignty in this passage? What is your personal response to His sovereignty? In light of this how will you pray today?

Philippians 3:15-16

Following Paul’s Example

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained.


~ How much of your day goes toward your pursuit of growing in Christ and becoming mature in your faith? Do you find yourself pushing off your quiet time and finding other things that need to be done first?
~ How might you praise God today for all He has done to get you where you are in your spiritual walk? Will you ask Him to uncover the areas that are holding you back from growing in spiritual maturity?

Philippians 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.


~ How do we as followers of Christ strive for Christlikeness? How are you pressing on toward the goal of Christlikeness?
~ What are some distractions that tend to slow down your race (spiritual growth)? What might God be calling you to do differently starting today?

Philippians 3:10-11

10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.


~ How have you experienced God's power and what was your response?
~ What does it mean to participate in Christ suffering? How has this suffering affected you?

Philippians 3:4-9

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
 If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.  7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.


~ In what ways have you tried to obtain your own righteousness? How has your relationship with Christ changed your view?
~ Based on these verses how is righteousness truly obtained?

Philippians 3:2-3

2Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh.


~ There were those at the time who taught circumcision was necessary for salvation. How does this go against the gospel of Christ?
~ In what ways might you be trying to please God with your own efforts and taking credit for Christ work?

Philippians 3:1

No Confidence in the Flesh

1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.


~ What do you think Paul meant by "rejoice in the Lord"?
~ What is your response when hearing a message you've already been taught on before? Have you considered God might be reminding you in order to prepare you?

Philippians 2:25-30

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.



~ What examples do you find in this passage of love and unity among believers? How do the parties involved show selfless affection towards each other?
~ Consider: How far are you willing to go for the work of Christ? What example has been set for you in this passage? What things might you need to surrender to God in order to follow this example?

Philippians 2:19-24

Timothy and Epaphroditus

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. 22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel. 23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. 24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.


~ Whom has God sent to you recently that has shown genuine concern for your welfare? How might you praise Him for this person today?
~ How might you be looking out for your own interest rather than Christ? Will you pray today that He will raise up a devotion in you to His purposes rather than your own?

Philippians 2:17-18

17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.


~ How has your faith in Christ led you to serve or sacrifice? How has your faith grown through your experience?
~ What is your attitude toward the areas you are called to serve or sacrifice this week? Are you approaching them as a privilege or a burden?

Philippians 2:14-16

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.


~ In what areas of your life do you struggle most with trusting God? How might you be tempted to grumble about your situation? Will you spend some time in conversation with God about this today?
~ How has God used you this past week to shine in the midst of a warped and crooked generation? Who did He use to shine in your life? How will you praise Him?

Philippians 2:12-13

Do Everything Without Grumbling

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.


~ What do you think Paul meant when he said "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling"?
~ What areas of your life are you tempted to take to credit for? Based on this verse, who works in us and through us and why?

Philippians 2:5-11

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
  did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
  by taking the very nature of a servant,
  being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
  he humbled himself
  by becoming obedient to death—
     even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
  and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
  to the glory of God the Father.

~ What privileges, rights, or honors might God be asking you to give up for a season? Are you willing to humble or lower yourself in obedience as Christ did?

~ What encouragement and hope do you find in verses 9-11?