Philippians 2:12-18

...it is God who works in you...

Read Philippians 2:12-13

• What is the 'therefore' there for? Considering the first half of chapter 2, what sort of 'obedience' and 'work' in particular does Paul have in mind here?

• In verse 12, the Philippians are told to 'work out' their salvation; and in verse 13, Paul assures them that it is God who 'works in' them. How do these two ideas go together? What happens if we only focus on one and not the other?

• What role does personal responsibility or effort play here? And what role does giving ourselves over to God (with fear and trembling) to let him work in us?

• And what exactly do you think God's "good purpose" is; what does he want to do in and through His church?

Paul goes on describing the perfect Christian community, a theme he has been on since 1:27.

Read Philippians 2:14-18

• How can a church community 'shine like stars in the sky'? What do you imagine this looking like?

• Have a quick look back at the previous sections: 1:27-30 & 2:1-11. How do these things contribute to the witness of the church community on the watching world?

• How does grumbling or arguing damage that?

  • Does this mean there's no place for offering criticism or disagreeing in a healthy church? If yes, how does that work? If not, how do we make sense of Paul's words here?

Read Philippians 2:19-30

• What stands out to you about Paul's descriptions of Timothy and Epaphroditus?

  • Can you think of anyone you know (or know of) that you could describe with any of these words of phrases?

• How do these two men serve as examples to the Philippians of the things Paul has been teaching them for the past chapter? How would you describe their heart-attitudes?

• Are there any aspects of Timothy and Epaphroditus that you would particularly like to grow in this year?

Spend some time praying for our church, that we would be working out our salvation together and welcoming God's work in our midst. Pray as well for our friends and neighbours and visitors to church, that they would see the gospel displayed in how we relate to one another as Christ's ambassadors in the world.