Bible Reading
Philippians 1:1-11 “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”
[28:39]Acts 16:6-40 “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, 'If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.' And she prevailed upon us. As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.' And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, 'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.' And it came out that very hour. But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, 'These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.' The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, 'Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.' And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.' And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his whole household that he had believed in God. But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, 'Let those men go.' And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, 'The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.' But Paul said to them, 'They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.' The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.”
[31:14]Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
[53:12]Observation questions
- In Acts 16, how do Lydia’s circumstances, the slave girl’s circumstances, and the jailer’s circumstances differ? What does God do in each of their stories? [35:10]
- In Philippians 1:1, how does Paul address the whole church alongside its overseers and deacons? What responsibilities do those leaders have within the body? [46:11]
- In Philippians 1:3–5, what prompts Paul’s gratitude and joy when he prays for the Philippians? What connects them even while he is imprisoned? [57:23]
- In explaining Philippians 1:6, what distinction is made between God’s work when someone first believes, his work throughout that person’s life, and his work in the future? [01:05:29]
Interpretation questions
- How does Lydia’s need for the Lord to open her heart help explain why salvation is a gift of grace rather than a personal achievement? How does that same dependence on grace continue as a believer grows? [51:29]
- What is the difference between peace with God and the peace of God? How does that distinction help explain Philippians 4:7 when a Christian’s circumstances remain deeply troubling? [53:09]
- In Philippians 1:5, what makes gospel partnership more than friendship or attending the same church? What might “rowing together in the same direction” look like among Christians with very different backgrounds? [55:59]
- Why does Paul’s confidence in Philippians 1:6 give Christians reason to be patient with one another’s unfinished growth? How can that patience encourage change rather than excuse sin? [01:03:02]
Application questions
- Christian growth includes both progress in faith and joy in Jesus. As you think about your own life, has one received more attention than the other? What might help you grow in delight in Christ, not only in knowledge about him? [45:05]
- God’s grace sustains the Christian life, not just its beginning. Where are you tempted either to take credit for your growth or to feel that everything depends on your own strength? What would relying on God’s grace look like in that area this week? [51:29]
- God’s peace does not have to wait until circumstances improve. If you are comfortable sharing, what situation is unsettling you right now? How might the assurance of God’s presence shape the way you pray and face that situation? [54:12]
- Gospel fellowship means sharing a purpose, not simply sharing a room. Where have you experienced that kind of partnership in this group or church? What is one practical way you could join another believer in serving Christ rather than merely attending alongside them? [56:12]
- Paul’s prayers overflow with gratitude for other believers. Who is someone in the church you have reason to thank God for, and what specifically are you grateful for? How could you make thankful prayer for others a more regular part of your week? [01:00:43]
- God is still working in his people, including those whose weaknesses test our patience. Without naming anyone, where do you find it difficult to believe that God is at work in another Christian? What might change in your prayers, words, or actions if you viewed that person as someone God has not finished shaping? [01:03:02]
