Lesson from June 21, 2009

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Philippians 3: 15 – 4:1

We are looking at the last half of chapter three today, but it is important to see this section in connection with the first half of the chapter.  Interestingly, in this chapter Paul addresses two extremes of the time.  On the one hand, as we saw in chapter 3:1-11, there was the desire by some to return the faith more directly to its Jewish roots. 

Lesson from June 14, 2009

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Philippians 3:12-15 

1. What does it mean to be “perfect”?
2. Matthew 5:48 says “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” In what way(s) are Christians expected to be perfect?
3. In verse 12, Paul says he hasn’t been “made perfect”. In the original Greek, this action of being made perfect comes from the verb “teleioo” (adjective “teleios”). Other verses that use the same word include Romans 12:2, 2 Cor. 12:9, and Hebrews 2:10.
   • To what kind of perfection are these verses referring?
   • The adjective translated as “mature” in verse 15 above also comes from this same Greek word. How is this different from being made perfect as described in verse 12?
   • Augustine suggested the difference between verse 12 and verse 15 as a difference between a “perfect wayfarer” and a “perfect possessor”. Which description best applies to which verse?
4. What prize in verse 14 does Paul hope to win? See 1 Cor. 9:24-25 (and its reference to the Olympic games), Philippians 3: 8, and Luke 13:31-32. (The “goal” referred to in Luke is again from the same Greek word for perfection used in verses 12 and 15 from Philippians. Is martyrdom Paul’s goal?)

Are you wondering where to begin with God and faith?  On Sunday, June 7th Pastor Dan will begin teaching a class during Discovery Hour (9AM on Sunday) that walks you through the starting points of understanding the Bible and what God desires from you.  You will learn how to know you will go to heaven when you die, how to pray, how to study the bible, and other foundational aspects of the Christian faith.  The class will last for 10 weeks.  Each session will have an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you might have about the Christian faith.

Lesson from May 31, 2009

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Philippians 2: 19-30

“Christians today often feel that society is hostile to them…As Christianity moves from being the dominant religious perspective in Western society to being only one perspective that competes equally with many others, feelings of exclusion and mis-representation is inevitable….

Lesson from May 24, 2009

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Philippians 2: 12-18

Having laid out Jesus as the supreme example of someone who humbled himself for the good of others, the topic of unity is still on Paul’s mind as he continues in the application section of the letter.  As he uses the image of an offering to describe his life and service, Paul continues the theme of selflessness and calls on the believers to mirror his efforts as they mirror those of Christ (v. 18).  He uses the language of athletics, as he does in several other places in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 9: 24 – 27; 2 Timothy 4:8 ), to express his hope that in the end he did not “run or labor for nothing” (v. 16).