1. Open with prayer. (2-5 min)
2. Read Philippians 1:6-14.
3. Discuss these questions with your group. (20-45 min)
MY STORY | Vulnerability
Has there been a phase or season in your life when you felt lonely, or when your interpersonal connections were not as deep? (7-10 min)
DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application
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. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. (Philippians 1:6–7)
What does the "completion" Paul in 1:6 look like in the Christian life? What will "completion" look like for you?
The passage begins with Paul's confident declaration in 1:6 that his congregation will finish well. Based on 1:7, what is the source of that confidence? What is your confidence level in regard to how well you will finish? And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,... (Philippians 1:9–10)
In 1:9-10, Paul is praying on behalf of the Philippian church. How do you think Paul focuses on his congregation, despite the isolation of his imprisonment? Is it harder or easier for you to help others while you are in the middle of your own challenges? Explain.
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. (Philippians 1:12–14)
Based on what he says in 1:12-14, why does Paul have so much confidence in his current circumstances?
What confidence do you have in your current circumstances? What factors affect your confidence in God?
GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship
After March 2020, many of us had to suddenly cut off the volume of in-person connection in our lives. What were some of your strategies for maintaining connection without in-person contact?
How were you able to seek and find joy despite not seeing people as often? What were some things that helped? What were some things that got in the way?
How do you monitor your confidence in God? How might someone stay confident in a variety of circumstances?
MOVING OUTWARD | Faith In Action
Paul's letters are an ancient record of Paul doing something we've been forced to do over the past couple of years: namely, to connect with people remotely. How can follow Paul's example in how we connect to those we do not always get to see?
How might we mobilize prayer as a strategy to stay connected with people we do not get to see as often as we would like?
What is the one important thing you will take away from this weekend's message or our community group discussion? Is there any challenge, difficulty or praise that you would like to share with the group for prayer?
Message Notes
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