Philppians qq3-4

The surpassing worth of knowing Christ

Philippians 3:1-11

Philippians 3:8

1.       [1] What did Paul commend them to do (1a ref. 1:18; 2:17-18; 4:4, 10)? Why (1b)? Discuss the significance of this in the life of believers.

2.       [2-7] How did Paul characterize a particular group of people that opposed the believers (2)? Who were they (3-5; 1:28; ref. Acts 15:1, 5; 21:21, 27)? What do each of these characteristics say about them (ref. Acts 22:22; 23:12-15)? What were the bases for their claim to be God’s chosen (ref. 4-6; 9a)? How did Paul consider such credentials (7; ref. Galatians 2:12-16)?

3.       [8-9] What was Paul’s way of building his credentials as a man of righteousness (8a)? Why (8b-9; ref. Galatians 2:15-16)? What did he mean by ‘gaining Christ’ (8b) or ‘being found in him’ (9a)? Discuss a) why Paul had such a radical or extreme view of how to build up one’s righteousness, and b) whether such a view is applicable to us or not.

4.       [10-11] What aspect of Jesus’ life was Paul eager to understand (10-11)? How and why? To Paul, what was the ultimate knowledge one could learn about Jesus Christ?

Press on toward the goal

Philippians 3:12-21
Key verses 3:13-14

1.       [12-14] What is meant by “all this” (12; cf. 3:10-11)? What is that for which Christ took hold of Paul (cf. Act 9:1-10)? How does Paul consider himself regarding this (12a; 13a)? How does he pursue it (12b; 13b-14)? Why? What is the prize he tried to win (14)?

2.       [15-17] Who should take such a view (15a)? What is Paul’s confidence for those who may not agree (15b)? What does Paul encourage the Philippians to do?

3.       [18-19] What has Paul told them repeatedly, even with tears (18)? Why? Who were the enemies of the cross of Christ (18; cf. 3:2)? What do they look for and what will become of them (19)?

4.       [20-21] What is the fundamental difference between believers and the enemies of the cross (20a)? Whom do Paul and the believers eagerly await and why (20b-21)?

5.       What is the goal you are pressing on toward? Why?

Rejoice in the Lord always

Philippians 4:1-23

Key Verse 4

1.       [1-3] How did Paul call the Philippians (4:1)? What did he command them to do (1b)? Who were Syntyche and Euodia? (2-3) What did Paul plead with them to do? What did he ask his true companion to do?

2.       [4-6] What is Paul’s command to the Philippians (4)? Why might one lose gentleness or be caught up in  anxiety (5-6a; Ref. James 3:17 NAS; Matthew 6:25-34; cf. 7)? Why, at this time, does Paul remind them that the Lord is near (5b)? How were they to handle such situations (6b)?

3.       [7] What would be the result of such handling (ref. 7)? What does the peace of God do (7)? How might this be related to rejoicing in the Lord? What does this passage teach us about how to “rejoice in the Lord”? How might this command help Syntyche and Euodia in their disputes?

4.       [8-9] What should believers think about (8)? What should they try to put into practice (9)? If they did this, than how would God be with them (9b)?

5.       [10-13] What is this paragraph about? Why did Paul rejoice in the Lord (10)? Why is Paul saying this at this time (10b-11a)? What was the situation in which he rejoiced in the Lord (10b-12, ref. 14)? As he went through that situation, what has he learned (11b-12)? What confidence did he gain (13)? Discuss how Paul rejoiced in the Lord through this hardship.

6.       [14-20] What is this paragraph about? How did the Philippians share in Paul’s trouble (14-16)? What does this show about the Philippians? Why is Paul commending the Philippians for what they had done for him (17-18)? How is this related to his command to rejoice? Discuss how Paul’s understanding (14-18) and how his spirit evolved as he rejoiced in the Lord (19-20).

7.       [21-23] Who was sending a greeting to whom? What does this tell us about the overall relationship between Paul’s company and the Philippians (ref. 4:1)?