Current Sermon Series
It’s A Puzzle: A Study of Philippians
January 16-April 3
It’s a puzzle: A study of Philippians
January 16 Chapter 1:1-7 Finishing
Idea: Partners in the gospel help us to finish G“I thank God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3
Key words:
Image: a jigsaw puzzle
Message centers on God’s intention for each of us, that we are connected and incomplete alone.
“I thank God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3
Key words:
1. _________________
2. _________________
3. _________________
4. _________________
Group of 12
Take a photo of your family/group of 12 and have a jigsaw puzzle made for a future lesson.
What is the purpose of Wesley Church?
Share and pray together
Notes:
January 23 Chapter 1:8-11 My prayer for you
Idea: Knowledge and depth of insight are given to us so that we can discern God’s will and then love.
Image: something that looks/feels deep, like the pieces of a puzzle that fit together
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11
Key words:
- ___________________
- ___________________
- ___________________
- ___________________
- ___________________
Group of 12
Each person put one piece of the puzzle together.
In your notebooks, write out one big decision you have coming and share with the group.
Pray together
Notes:
January 30 Chapter 1:12-30 When trials abound
Idea: Our trials are to be lived out in Christ
Image: missing pieces
Missing pieces cannot hold us back and will even further the gospel
Message centers on knowing that worldly trials cannot hold back God’s purpose.
“I am in chains for Christ.” Philippians 1:13
Key words:
- _______________
- _______________
- _______________
Group of 12
Write in your notebook a note about a difficult trial you have experienced or are experiencing right now.
Proclaim confidence in God over the trial. Write our key verse next to the trial you wrote in the notebook.
Each person put one piece of the puzzle together.
Pray
Notes:
February
February 6 Chapter 2:1-4 Other people are important
Idea: Encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness, compassion = (humility)
Image: setting aside (a trophy) to help others
Message centers on gaining a perspective of another, allowing someone else to connect a piece of the puzzle.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3
Key words:
- ___________________
- ___________________
- ___________________
- ___________________
Group of 12
What do we do in our lives that reflect the importance of other people?
Is there something we can personally do to better reflect humility, especially in our families and those closest to us?
Put one piece of the puzzle together
Pray
Notes:
February 13 Chapter 2:5-11 God’s humility
Idea: Empty of self
Image: pitcher being emptied of self (words that reflect self)
Message centers on becoming Christlike: humble
“You attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5
Key words:
- _________________
- _________________
- _________________
- _________________
- _________________
- _________________
Group of 12
Is there something you can do to intentionally shift your attention to someone else?
What will you do this week to reflect that choice?
Put one piece of the puzzle together
Pray
Notes:
February 20 Chapter 2:12-18
Idea: To shine we need room for the light
Image: distant candle in the darkness
Message centers on bringing light into the dark
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16
Key words:
- _________________
- _________________
- _________________
- _________________
- _________________
Group of 12
When are you most likely to find yourself complaining?
When are you most likely to find yourself praising?
Put one piece of the puzzle together.
Pray
Notes:
February 27 Chapter 2:19-30 Kindred partnership
Idea: Timothy and Paul, mentoring others
Image: focus on the word kindred
Message centers on the fellowship of 3
“I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.” Philippians 2:20
Key words:
- ________________
- ________________
- ________________
Group of 12
Has God sent someone into your life to help you grow?
It may be time for you to prove yourself so that He can send you. What steps can you take to live sent?
Put one piece of the puzzle together.
Pray
Notes:
March
March 6 Chapter 3:1-7 Beware= be aware
Idea: self-evaluation for the purpose of transformation (back to 12/3/1)
Image: Watch out! Be on guard, on the lookout
Message centers on paying attention to spiritual lessons.
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his suffering, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:10-11
Key words:
- __________________
- __________________
- __________________
- __________________
Group of 12
What do you think Paul means by “fellowship of suffering?”
With whom do you have “fellowship?”
What new awareness of God in your life are you experiencing?
Put one piece of the puzzle together.
Pray
Notes:
March 13 Chapter 3:8-16 Press on
Idea: Forget the past and move into tomorrow
Image: head as a puzzle
Message centers on walking through our past.
“One thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3: 14
Key words:
- _________________ _____________
- _______________________________
- _______________________________
- __________________ _________________
Group of 12
What is your goal in life?
What can you change to make your goal God centered?
Put one piece of the puzzle together
Pray
Notes:
March 20 Chapter 3:17-21 Changes
Idea: Once God has a hold of you…cry for the enemies of the cross. Know you are a citizen of heaven.
Image: citizen of a heavenly country, an immigrant being accepted
Message centers on “join with others.”
“Join with others in following my example, brothers and sisters, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” Philippians 3:17
Key words:
- _________________
- ___________________________ – _____________________
- ________________________________
Group of 12
What are you (we) doing to impact the greater world?
Any ideas of what more you (we) can do?
Put one piece of the puzzle together.
Pray
Notes:
March 27 Chapter 4:1-18 Peace thru patience, the secret of life
Idea: The secret of life: think on what is good
Image: telling a good secret
Message centers on being content.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:5
“Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4: 8
“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11
Key words:
- _________________
- _________________
- _________________
- _________________
Group of 12
Is there something that has your attention that is making you not rejoice?
What does the text say can help?
For next week, bring in your favorite thing that you had to put together (puzzle, model, etc)
Put one piece of the puzzle together.
Pray
Notes:
April
April 3 Chapter 4: 17-23 Model making
Idea: what does it take to make/be a model?
Image: bring in models (some form of puzzle)
Message centers on becoming: Jesus like
“My God meet all of your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
Key words:
- ________________ ___________
- ____________________________
- ____________________________
Group of 12
Final group gathering
Share what you brought in and put together. Why is it important to you?
Are you willing to be an important piece of someone else’s life puzzle?
THE MISSING PIECE
Put together the final pieces of the puzzle
Pray
NOTES
Helps
Founded in the 4th c. B.C. and renamed after King Philip of Macedon, Philippi was an important outpost on the Egnation Way. Two important battles were fought here in 42 B.C. resulting in the defeat of Cassius and Brutus, conspirators in the assassination of Julius Caesar. After these battles, Philippi became a Roman colony encompassing 700 square miles.
The Via Egnatia was built beginning in 145 BC and at its greatest extent connected Byzantium with the Adriatic ports. This route was Rome’s primary artery to the east and Philippi was an important outpost along the road. The Egnatian Way made it easier for Rome to move troops throughout the empire and it was the route that Paul traveled on from Neapolis to Philippi, Amphipolis, Apollonia, and Thessalonica.
On the basis of the Acts of the Apostles and the letter to the Philippians, early Christians concluded that Paul had founded their community. Accompanied by Silas, by Timothy and possibly by Luke (the author of the Acts of the Apostles), Paul is believed to have preached for the first time on European soil in Philippi
Lydia’s home became the place where the congregation that developed in Philippi gathered for worship and fellowship. We tell this story because it expands our understanding of the financial role women played as the earliest Christian congregations were forming.
One of Paul’s purposes in writing this letter was to express gratitude for the affection and financial assistance the Saints in Philippi had extended to him during his second missionary journey and his imprisonment in Rome (see Philippians 1:3–11; 4:10–19; see also Bible Dictionary, “Pauline Epistles”) Philippi is the only church that supports Paul financially throughout his ministry. It seems tit is the only one who even offers. Other churches seem to want to receive but not give.