Sunday, March 30, 2014

Fight for Joy: Genuine Friendship (Philippians 4:21-23) Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

In Philippians 4:21 Paul writes, “The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings.” There were seasons during Paul’s imprisonment and trials that we was abandoned, “At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me…” (2 Timothy 4:16). Because Paul tirelessly invested in those around him so that he was seldom alone. He even declared earlier in this letter, “it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.” (Philippians 1:13)

In these last two verses before his doxology in verse 23, Paul sent greetings to the Philippians from three groups of people. How are these three groups a model for the relationships every Christian ought to pursue?

1. “All God’s people” 

1 Timothy 3:15--

Galatians 6:10--

2. “The brothers and sisters who are with me”

2 Timothy 2:2--

Acts 18:24-26--

3. “Those who belong to Caesar’s household”

Romans 16:15--

Acts 2:42-43, 5:42--

Application

How is the Holy Spirit leading you to fight for joy through the pursuit of like-minded unity within your church family? Do you have a Christian friend of whom you’d exclaim, “I have no one else like him/her?” If not, what do you sense God leading you to do? Is there a “co-worker” with whom Holy Spirit is leading you to partner in ministry? With whom is the Holy Spirit leading you to invest?

Memorize This


Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. NIV

No comments: