In/Joy Life
Philippians 1:12-30
A Joyful Mind Set – Philippians 1:12-30
Discussion Questions:
Opening Question:
When you think of Jesus, what comes to your mind first?
Overview:
Paul is clearly in prison while writing this epistle. But instead of focusing on his hardships and difficulties, he finds the strength to rejoice because the Gospel is still being declared. Imagine finding the courage to do the thing you fear the most simply because you believe that Christ will help you. That takes supernatural faith! Or does it? What makes Paul different from us? Does he know a different Christ than we do?
Text Questions:
1. Why does Paul think that it is beneficial for him to be suffering in prison?
2. What are the potential outcomes of Paul’s imprisonment? How serious is it?
3. Why would Paul’s “brothers in the Lord” have been encouraged by his imprisonment?
4. How might the Philippians felt reading this?
5. Why would Paul choose continued life here rather than dying and being with Christ?
Application Questions:
1. Name some of the important decisions we make in life.
2. If God used Paul’s suffering and imprisonment for good, how might he use your suffering for his glory?
3. How do you react in times of hardship, or when something isn’t going the way that you’d like?
4. Paul repeats a few ideas throughout this passage: advancing the Gospel, suffering for Christ, rejoicing in all situations. Which one of these impacts you the most today, and why?
