Week 7 | Philippians 1 | Make Christ Known
Focusing on one chapter each week, dig deep in the chapter and daily discovery questions as we seek to be caught up together in the joy of Christ!
PHILIPPIANS 1 | MAKE CHRIST KNOWN
1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.
27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
Remember, revisit, and pray through today’s discovery questions throughout your day. If helpful, read and rewrite a scripture that God highlights to you. Memorize and meditate on it throughout the week. Share and talk about it with family and friends.
DISCOVERY QUESTIONS
These questions are structured in a weekly rhythm, ideally beginning on the Monday after we introduce the chapter during our Sunday Service.
This is a journey of grace, not grit! Trust in the Lord, and let Him lead you!
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Read the chapter slowly…
What is being said about God? What word, phrase, or image shows you something about God’s character, heart, or work?
Remember, revisit, and pray about what you are beholding about God throughout your day.
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Read the chapter slowly…
What does this chapter say is true of you, of people, or of the Church? What are you being invited to receive?
Remember, revisit, and pray about what you are receiving from God throughout your day.
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Read the chapter slowly…
Where does this chapter expose false ways of living, striving, relating, or seeing yourself? Are you living by your own grit or by God’s grace?
Remember, revisit, and pray about what you are examining with God throughout your day.
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Read the chapter slowly…
What is one concrete act of faith, love, humility, reconciliation, prayer, generosity, or witness you can practice today in response to what is being revealed in this chapter?
Remember, revisit, pray about, and respond by practicing what God is revealing.
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Read the chapter slowly…
Who needs encouragement from this passage? Share one verse, one sentence, one prayer, or revelation you’ve had with them today.
Remember, revisit, pray about, and bear tangible witness to others.
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Read the chapter slowly…
Looking back over the week, what has God shown you?
Remember, revisit, and pray about what He has shown you throughout your day.
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Read the chapter slowly…
Looking back over the week, looking at this moment, and looking forward, what do you want to bring to God and others as you gather around Christ?