Philippians 2

Paul says, “Given what you’re going through, do you find any comfort in Christ? Any encouragement from his love? Any esprit de corps with the Spirit? Any tenderheartedness or compassion?” (Philippians 2:1). How do you think it’s possible for anyone to know the answer to those questions?

“Don’t do anything for reasons that are selfish or conceited” (Philippians 2:3). What do you think Paul had in mind at the time? And what examples come to mind in our day and age?

Paul told the people of Philippi to think like Jesus. Then he illustrated this, in Philippians 2:6-11, perhaps by quoting an early Christian song or a poem about Jesus. Whether Paul wrote these lyrics himself or quoted them, what one line or thought do you think stands out most as the best example of what Paul meant?

Paul tells the people at Philippi to keep up the good work and to “continue working on your salvation” (Philippians 2:12). It’s not clear what he means by that. Any guesses?

Philippians 2:17 is tough to picture. Some Bible experts say Paul was comparing himself to a liquid offering priests sometimes poured onto an animal offering or a grain offering being sacrificed (see Numbers 15:1-10). What message do you think Paul was trying to communicate?

Paul actually seems to get a little bit snarky when he says he is sending Timothy. It could sound as though he’s getting a dig in at other Christians with him. “Everyone else looks out for number one. They care about what they care about. They don’t care about what Jesus cares about” (Philippians 2:21). It’s anyone’s guess who he’s talking about. What would you guess is going on?

It sounds as though Epaphroditus didn’t want the home folks to find out that he had gotten deathly sick on the trip. Paul told the people of Philippi, “I’m sending him back because he’s distressed that you found out he had been sick. He’s longing to see you again” (Philippians 2:26). Can you relate to that? What do you think would make a person so upset about something like that? Upset enough that they would want to rush home?

LIFE APPLICATION. Paul’s request to Christians in Philippi is that they get along with each other: “Work through any disagreements you have and reach compromises so you’re all pulling in the same direction, united in love, spirit, and purpose” (Philippians 2:2). That’s a fairly common request of Paul’s as he wrote to different churches (1 Corinthians 1:10; Galatians 5:15; Ephesians 4:3). What do you think makes it so hard for Christians to do that—to get along with each other?

LIFE APPLICATION. Paul said Jesus “humbled himself to death” (Philippians 2:8). Jesus voluntarily traded his comfort in heaven for nails on a cross. That’s quite the fall from glory to humility. When have you seen someone take the high way of humility because they knew that where they were headed was a good place to go?

LIFE APPLICATION. Paul said, “God’s at work in you. He’s giving you the will and the way to do the right thing” (Philippians 2:13). What would be modern-day examples to illustrate what Paul is saying?

LIFE APPLICATION. Paul asks for Christians to do what they know God wants them to do, and to “do it without complaining or arguing” (Philippians 2:14). Some people in the church complain a lot. What do you think is a good way to deal with someone like that—beyond simply telling them, “Hey, you complain too much”?