Philippians Study Guide (Fall 2023)
Introduction
As we embark on a journey into the scriptures together, the practice of reading as a group can ignite, or reinvigorate love and joy for the words of the living God. Or more specifically, we are cultivating a love for the speaking God. “The entire acrostic poem of Psalm 119, captures this joy and love of God beautifully. Our love for God draws our attention to Him over and over again. In the words of the disciples: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life…'” (John 6:68–69). It is trusting that Jesus, to whatever extent our faith is – small or big this season – that He is the One we need to turn to (even without all the answers).
The account of the two friends on the road to Emmaus in Luke’s gospel is a wonderful picture of how God meets us in the physical act of reading the scriptures. Jesus’ speaking and teaching to them as they journeyed through the Scriptures: “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:31). When we read together in faith, we are opening up to the reality that Jesus speaks to us. The scriptures, as the author of the Hebrews writes, is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12), not only because of how relevant the text is to our lives (in moral living) but because the speaking, teaching God behind each and every word, is living and active. When we read the scriptures, we need to be reminded that God Himself is already present speaking and teaching (John 14:26)
God, in His wisdom, chooses not to speak in an audible voice to many of us. Though He is not imperceptible. There is a wonderful mystery that God can speak and hear us precisely through the people of God, the Scriptures and in the conversation of praying. While the text was written down long ago, the human and physical act of reading it carefully in faith remains, over and over again, a unique encounter with the living God. God loves and delights in His physical creation and loves being involved with it. As we walk together through the letter of Philippians, reading it carefully, lovingly and faithfully, asking questions, listening to each and every word, discussing what we hear, the God behind the words continues to say: “...behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Overview of Themes
The Letter to the Philippians contain a few themes that resonate with this season within our community
Joy in the midst of Suffering:
Paul writes this letter from prison, yet emphasizes joy, peace and contentment despite the circumstances on a number of occasions
By studying Philippians, our community can learn the depth and source of Christian joy in the midst of the hardships that we face.
Christ's Example of Humility and Emptying of himself:
Philippians 2 provides the Christ Hymn which is considered one of the most powerful and profound passages about the humility and exaltation of Christ. It's a call to believers to adopt the same attitude.
The Value of Community:
Paul expresses deep love and connection with the Philippians. We can learn about the importance of relationships, partnership in the gospel, and how believers should support and love one another.
Pursuit of Christ above All:
It's a challenge for each of us to assess our values and priorities and to center their lives around the all-surpassing worth of Christ.
Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel:
Paul urges the Philippians to live in a manner that reflects their heavenly citizenship and calling. We can evaluate our collective actions and culture, ensuring they align with the teachings of the gospel.
Schedule
Groups can follow the 10 week structure together:
1. Introduction to Philippians: background, authorship, and overview. Reading the epistle in advance, invite people to share main themes or patterns they observe.
2. Philippians 1:1-11: Paul's greeting and prayer for the Philippians.
3. Philippians 1:12-30: Joy in suffering and living for Christ
4. Philippians 2:1-11: The humility and exaltation of Christ.
5. Philippians 2:12-30: Working out salvation and examples of godly living.
6. Philippians 3:1-11: The surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
7. Philippians 3:12-21: Pressing on toward the goal.
8. Philippians 4:1-9: Unity, rejoicing, and the peace of God.
9. Philippians 4:10-23: Contentment and the provision of God.
10. Wrap-up session: Main themes and application to life.
Weekly Guide for the Facilitator
The Psalms are a wonderful and unique genre found in the Bible. They are simultaneously both prayers and scriptures; they are but heard and said; they are both for the individual and for a community. The entrance to the Psalms, Psalm 1, orients the entire songbook. It sings of flourishing as this: “Blessed is the man [whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night”. Eugene’s Peterson’s paraphrase captures the savoring sense of “meditate”: “you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night”. We’ll “chew” the scriptures as we read and walk through it carefully but letting ourselves savor it through prayer and reflection. We also encourage “savoring” throughout the week by bringing a physical journal or a physical bible in order to revisit any thoughts or ideas.
Our study follows the “manuscript” bible study method that encourages us to listen to text as given and work through it carefully by paying attention to its form, grammar, context, and genre. We also read the text carefully through “Lectio Divina” (sacred reading) which is to carefully hear the word of God with our ears and heart rather than “hear” with our eyes.
Structure
We encourage groups to structure their time roughly as follows (around 1.5 hours). Feel free to alter as the group sees fit.
1. Welcome, greetings and introductory prayer (10 min)
2. Studying the text (using the inductive bible study guide in the appendix)
Observation and notes (20 min)
Interpretation and notes (20 min)
3. Lectio Divina through the passage (20-25 min) (or Application discussion). We encourage groups to end with Lectio Divina (sacred reading) in place of the “Application” typical of an inductive bible study.
4. Closing prayer (5-10 min)
Preparation:
Group participants will want and need a pen/ pencil, a journal, bible (or a printed copy of the passage).
Preparation for the weekly facilitator
Each weekly passage can be facilitated by a different member of the group
Read the passage
Read the inductive bible study guide from and be comfortable leading the time through the relevant steps https://nso.intervarsity.org/library/leading-inductive-bible-study
Read the Lectio Divina guide from and be comfortable guiding the group through https://www.communitiesofcalling.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Lectio-Divina-Guide.pdf
Read (or re-read) the Philippians overview and resources on this Epistle (see Resources at the bottom of the guide)
Modified Structure for Week 1 (Introduction) and 10 (Wrap-up)
Week 1
1. Welcome and greetings and introductory prayer (10 min)
2. Familiarize the group with the study, structure and organize weekly facilitators if needed(20 min)
3. Discussion
Discuss the manuscript bible study and Lectio Divina and everyone’s experience with either(10 min)
Discuss any themes or questions regarding the letter (20 min)
5. Lectio Divina / prayer (20 min) (excerpt from the Lectio Divina Guide)
Ask for three volunteers to read Psalm 119:145-152
We listen to God’s Word for the first time. We listen for a word or phrase that God will speak to us today. We reflect in silence and share aloud the word or phrase that spoke to our heart.
We listen to God’s Word for the second time. We reflect in silence on what God may be saying to us through the word or phrase that spoke to our heart. We share aloud what this word or phrase means to us.
We listen to God’s Word for the third time. We reflect in silence on how God may be calling us to act through the word or phrase that spoke to our heart. We share aloud how we feel God may be calling us to respond.
We thank God in prayer. The facilitator closes with a prayer thanking God for this encounter with the Word / Or each participant may be invited to offer a short prayer of thanksgiving.
Week 10
1. Welcome and greetings and introductory prayer (10 min)
2. Discussion
Share any thoughts and ideas that resonated from the study as a whole. Feel free to write down and make notes together. (20-30min)
Share any particular passage or prayer that you feel encouraged to share with the group. (20-30min)
5. Lectio Divina / prayer (20 min) (excerpt from the Lectio Divina Guide)
Ask for three volunteers to read Ephesians 1:15-23
We listen to God’s Word for the first time. We listen for a word or phrase that God will speak to us today. We reflect in silence and share aloud the word or phrase that spoke to our heart.
We listen to God’s Word for the second time. We reflect in silence on what God may be saying to us through the word or phrase that spoke to our heart. We share aloud what this word or phrase means to us.
We listen to God’s Word for the third time. We reflect in silence on how God may be calling us to act through the word or phrase that spoke to our heart. We share aloud how we feel God may be calling us to respond.
We thank God in prayer. The facilitator closes with a prayer thanking God for this encounter with the Word / Or each participant may be invited to offer a short prayer of thanksgiving.
Resources for this Study
Inductive Bible Study: https://nso.intervarsity.org/library/leading-inductive-bible-study
Lectio Divina Guide https://www.communitiesofcalling.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Lectio-Divina-Guide.pdf
Philippians overview and resources on this Epistle: Found here (Google Drive):
How to Read the Bible Book by Book (Fee, Stuart) - Chapter on Philippians
How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth (Fee, Stuart) - Chapter 3,4 on interpretation of Epistles