Christ provides us with his perfect righteousness by faith so that we might know him and the power of his. John piper walks us through a short study of how to understand joy, pursue it for ourselves, and then. This morning we return to our study of the book of philippians. The theme of the letter is joy, and the key verse is philippians 4.
A bible study on philippians for women keri folmar. Philippians 1 icb serve others with joy from paul and. Philippians 1 paul and timothy, servants of christ. The apostle paul was bound by prison chains when he wrote to the church at philippi. Bible study on joy what are the characteristics of a christian. Paul wrote to the philippians, rejoice in the lord. In the message of philippians alec motyer explores pauls great themes, so relevant today. A bible study on philippians for women keris bible study will not only bring the truths of philippians to bear upon your life, but will also train you up for better, more effective study of any book of the bible with her consistent use of the three questions needed in all good bible study.
Watson 84, 88 offers the rhetorical analysis of the book as settling the debate in favor of unity. The following 20 multiple choice questions have been prepared for you to answer as you read the book of philippians. These were added much later, to make it easier to find specific passages in the text. I say this because the homework for each day can be pretty intense and if bible study is so brand new to you, i would either do this with someone else.
Philippians the epistle of joy literature resources. The secret of joy in the hardest of times in this book is the supremacy of the sovereignty of christ and the supremacy of the sweetness of christ. The joy of knowing christ is possible only through the gospel. The joy of christian living 4week biblestudy journal. Studies of christian joy from the book of philippians philippiansa book full of joy. Lets look at the book of philippians to learn how to have some joy within our trial. Its a notion enshrined in our declaration of independence, and many people describe happiness as the primary goal of their lives. Part two how to be joyful in dire circumstances philippians 1. Amanda davis rated it really liked it aug 18, 2012. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. Joy in the journey most americans think about the pursuit of happiness as an individual endeavor. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe phil. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence and hope. The early church was unanimous in its testimony that philippians was written by the apostle paul see 1.
Finding joy study 1 leaders guide put the gospel first this is the secret to the apostle pauls unshakeable joy. And in these verses we can get a good start on understanding some of the characteristics of christian joy. Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. To all of gods holy people in christ jesus who live in philippi.
Heavens joy 8week study guide the passionate life bible study series by brian simmons available from rakuten kobo. Pauls joy at the mere thought of the philippian church is undeniable in the letter, and its that same joy that he wanted the recipients to possess as well. Yet, it seems to go against the grain of all that we are taught about happiness. I would not recommend this be the first bible study you do if you are new to bible studies however. Instead we find joy, rejoice, and rejoicing throughout the entire epistle. In the end, paul teaches us that jesus is the author and only source of true joy. The joy of christian living 4week biblestudy journal schacht, darlene on. Exposition and bible study in 9 lessons a 8page book by dr. That means that on average joy or rejoicing appears every 7 verses. Paul prays for the philippian believers with joy chara because of their partnership with him in the gospel. More on the connection between joy and koinonia fellowship a brick in the valley march 7, 2011 recommended reading the central thesis of philippians. The book of philippians paul writes a thankyou note to the believers at philippi for their help in his hour of need, and he uses the occasion to send along some instructions on christian unity.
A roman colony, philippi was situated in macedonia, or currentday northern greece. Spend 30 days of deeper reflection on the book of philippians with allen satterlee, a 35 year officer of the salvation army. Finding joy joy comes from pursuing god wholeheartedly, giving ourselves away, and learning to dwell on the good. Philippians 1 international childrens bible icb serve others with joy. In chapter 3, paul spoke primarily about his own situation. I like to refer to philippians as the joy book of the bible. Bible study on joy what are the characteristics of a. There are 15 explicit references to some form of either the noun joy chara in greek or the verb rejoice chairo in this short letter.
Book of philippians overview insight for living ministries. We live in a world that constantly offers ways for us to achieve happiness by improving our circumstances. This is even more significant when you realize that while paul is writing these words of joy he is in prison in rome and chained to a roman guard. For a brief bibliography of those works that defend multiple letters or the unity of the book, see watson, philippians, 80, nn. Yet the joy he has for us is more than a feeling of pleasure. And yet he writes from a dingy roman prison, a place we would typically associate with misery and trial, which most people assume are the opposites of joy. To lead the philippians to this truth, paul took them directly to jesus, teaching them that a community of believers living in harmony with one another comes only through mutual humility modeled after the savior. Landscape of the book of philippians under house arrest as a prisoner in rome, yet full of joy and thankfulness, paul wrote to encourage his fellow servants living in philippi. It is one of the most important features of a joyous life. Paul did not consider it in bad taste or unexpedient to repeat often in this letter of the joy he experienced as a christian.
He uses the words rejoice or joy times in 11 verses. The joy he gives is characterized by an inner well of strength. There is an invigorating joy that breathes through the length of the entire epistle to the philippians. A devotional study in philippians 9781632572080 by allen satterlee. What joy and glory came out of pauls prison cell when he wrote to the philippian church. Full text of the book of philippians see other formats the book of philippians from gods word the holy bible, kjv philippians chapter 1 1 paul and timotheus, the servants of jesus christ, to all the saints in christ jesus which are at philippi, with the bishops and deacons. If you want to know how to become truly joyful by the biblical definition, you need to saturate yourself in the book of philippians.
Home group study the book of philippians jesus our joy. A prison letter, it contains a christological hymn about christs humility and exaltation, a glimpse into pauls passion to know christ, and a reflection on prayer and the peace it brings in the midst of stress, conflict, and opponents. The world and perhaps even our instincts say to us, the key to happiness is getting. This morning we continue our study of the first 11 verses of philippians chapter one. In the book of philippians we are given a hard, difficult, confusing, interesting command. It was transcribed from the sixth tape in his philippians series, titled the joy of suffering service transcribed by preach the word.
This sermon was delivered at the iron hall assembly in belfast, northern ireland, by pastor david legge. Philippians is the most joyful book in the bible the apostle paul uses the greek words for joy and rejoicing sixteen times in only 104 verses. This morning we embark upon a wonderful new experience spiritually as the lord speaks to us through pauls letter to the philippians. Something about the confinement, uncertainty, and mistreatment these prisoners have suffered seems to have helped them focus their minds on their primary convictions. This video is the third of a sixpart series on the theme of joy in the book of philippians. It is a joy that cannot be shaken by circumstances, regardless of how difficult our circumstances may become.
I believe the book of philippians tells us how to find this joy. Chapter and verse divisions were not part of the original biblical writings. It is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. I have learned the secret of being content in any and. The book of philippians is an excellent ministudy of joy. The theme of rejoicing or joy is a huge, driving theme for the apostle paul in his letter to the philippian church. The word joy is found in one form or another 15 times in. Joy is the theme in the book of philippians, which is pretty amazing considering this letter was written by paul while he was in prison. Theres nothing wrong with happiness, of course, but the book of. I want to live the joyful life and i suspect you do too.
Despite his loss of liberty, and opposition from fellowworkers, the letter radiates joyjoy that christ was proclaimed, joy in fellowship with the phil ippian christians, and above all joy in jesus himself. Paul mentions joy or rejoicing 15 times in this letter. We miss out on the joy and power of knowing christ when we put our confidence in our own righteousness and not his. For an epistle of only 104 verses, four brief chapters, pauls letter to the philippians is amazingly profound. In chapter 4, he begins to speak to the local philippian. At one level, it is a poignant epistle from a jailed apostle to. Personally, i have enjoyed and greatly benefitted from our study of the first half of this book, and i pray that you have as well. Full text of the book of philippians internet archive. Home bible book studies new testament pauls letters philippians.
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