I recently did a search on the internet for “finding peace during covid” and discovered about 751 million results! It’s obvious by the articles and studies that people are struggling with finding peace at this time. And the lack of peace robs people of their joy. The Explore the Bible Study: Joy Through Peace, will examine Paul's advice in Philippians 4:1-9 regarding how one can find joy through peace.

As believers, we know that God is present in both the still moments and the storms, but we are tempted to forget due to the external and internal pressures we experience. Paul reminded the Philippians that peace was found in God’s presence regardless of the circumstances. The advice given to him from God to convey to the believers in Philippi and to us include the following:

We experience joy through the peace that comes when standing firm together – Philippians 4:1

Paul uses the phrase, so then, to point back to the preceding verses in which he explains that the church’s great hope is anticipation of the Lord’s return. Christ’s return will initiate our final and full transformation into His likeness, including a glorious body (Philippians 3:20-21). Because of this Paul desired for the believers to be at peace with one another so they could stand firm together, thus experiencing the joy that comes through unity. Paul’s use of the phrase "stand firm" reminded his readers of the way Roman soldiers would stand firm and remain in place during an assault. If all the soldiers would stand firm together, they knew they had a better chance at surviving the onslaught of the enemy.

We should learn how to stand firm together in the Lord (not compromising the gospel) even when we might not agree on certain issues that aren’t violating biblical truth. If we don’t, we will find it difficult to experience the joy and peace that comes when believers stand together.

• What obstacles today keep you from standing firm with other believers? How does this impact the peace that you experience? How does it impact the peace that should exist in the body of Christ? 
• Can you stand firm together while not agreeing on certain topics? If not, why? If so, how?

We can experience joy when we make peace with one another – Philippians 4:2-3

This passage discusses a conflict between two ladies in the church; however, we don’t know the circumstances of their conflict. It’s obvious that the rift between Euodia and Syntyche must have been causing ripples in the church because it captured Paul’s attention and prompted him to respond.

Paul urged both of the women to seek reconciliation from one another. They were both to agree in the Lord. He also appealed to a third party, referred to as a true partner, to help bring about their reconciliation.  He reminded all of the parties involved, the dissidents and the peacemakers, that their names were in the book of life. One must wonder how individuals who profess Christ can create such conflict with those with whom they will be residing in Heaven! There is great irony in conflict between believers who both profess Christ and claim to be going to Heaven. 

The message and ministry of a church are sorely impaired when dissension exists between members. Believers must stand firm together against the external pressure that might rob us of our joy and peace, and we must equally strive to resolve conflict between one another within the church so that church can be a place of joy and peace as well.

• Are there believers with whom you need to make peace so that you and the church can experience the joy that comes through making peace?

Protect your joy that comes through peace by having the right attitudes – Philippians 4:4-7

These verses describe two attitudes that protect our peace in Christ:

1. Attitude of REJOICING.
2. Attitude of THANKSGIVING.

These two attitudes are not only evidence of peace but an expression of one who has peace. This kind of peace guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. It enables us to look at people or our circumstances through the lens of peace that comes from knowing Christ.

Recollecting that God has already supplied many thanksworthy gifts or benefits gives added faith to approach Him for current needs. To live with anxiety is to live with a robber of joy lurking in our hearts. The antidote to anxiety and the prelude to peace is the practice of thanksgiving and prayer. To be frequently asking but seldom thanking is unbecoming for children of a loving and generous Father.

When we possess these two attitudes – rejoicing and thanksgiving – we will have peace and joy! It will change how we view life, treat others, and pray to God. Through faith in Christ and His atoning death we have peace with God. When we have joyful and thankful hearts, God’s peace is ever active, giving us joy despite our circumstances.

The secret to experiencing joy through peace is to dwell on the right things – Philippians 4:8-9

Notice what Paul says believers should dwell on and how dwelling on these gives you peace and joy. We should dwell on things that are:

• True: Anxiety results when false ideas and unreal or imaginary circumstances occupy one’s mind; therefore, you should focus on what is true. 
• Honorable: The word honorable speaks of what is noble and worthy of respect. Majestic thoughts lift the mind above the ordinary or even sinful things that compose the world’s lusts and scandals. 
• Just: Describes behavior that is upright in that it conforms to God’s standards or expectations.
• Pure: Means that which is chaste and moral as opposed to what is shameful and sinful.
• Lovely: Refers to what is attractive and pleasing. This results in togetherness in place of separation, fellowship instead of feuding, and peace rather than contention.
• Commendable: Describes what garners people’s admiration, approval, and praise. 

What would happen if most believers quit dwelling on the social, moral, political upheaval or their personal temptations and focused solely on their relationship with Jesus Christ for a season? How would that bring peace? How would that restore the joy one should have from knowing Christ? How would it impact the lost world?

 

How would you complete this statement: Knowing Jesus is more important than . . .? There are so many things in life that keep us from completing this statement accurately and honestly. You will discover in this Explore the Bible Study: Joy In Knowing Jesus, that Paul gave up everything so that he could know Jesus. Perhaps his conversation in Scriptures will remind you of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus!

In Philippians 3, Paul desired to help the brothers and sisters in Philippi (Philippians 3:1) to rejoice in the Lord and not get drawn away from the Lord by evil workers (Philippians3:2). He begins by reminding them of his ancestral heritage and background to make a point. He states in Philippians 3:3-6 that if anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. 

If anyone had bragging rights about their status and achievement, Paul did. Yet Paul tells us in Philippians 3:7 that, everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. How did Paul come to this reality? Why did he consider everything a loss compared to knowing Christ? You will discover the answer in a study of Philippians 3. Hopefully it will lead you to the same conclusion.

Knowing Jesus should be more valuable than anything else – Philippians 3:8-11.

Not only did Paul consider everything that was a gain to him to be a loss because of Christ, but he states that the value of what he lost compared to the value of knowing Christ was incomparable. When Paul had a personal encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road, Jesus gave him the very thing he desired—to be declared acceptable before God. Paul now had the assurance of a right standing with God and this made everything that he once valued as dung compared to knowing Christ.

There are a lot of ways in which one can know Christ. You can know Him from a historical perspective. You can know Him from a distance as you discover new facts regarding Jesus. You can know Jesus on a surface level much like you might know a co-worker or a store clerk. Or, you can know Christ experientially. This type of "knowing" only comes through a deep understanding that is based upon ongoing personal experience and intimate communion with Christ.

The Greek word used here, gnosis from ginosko, means knowledge gained through personal experience and intimate companionship. Knowing Christ experientially was Paul’s quest: to know Christ’s thoughts, His ways, His works, His will. This was Paul’s desire because He had come to love Christ above anything this world could offer.

Paul wanted the closest possible personal relationship with Christ. It’s a relationship pictured in baptism—buried to the old life of sin and raised to a new life of righteousness as Christ was resurrected. To know Christ in this way meant he was ready to share in Christ’s sufferings, even if that meant sharing His death. Knowing Jesus in this way meant Paul was willing to follow the path of Christ, no matter where it might lead, because he had a promised and sure hope in a future with God in Christ.

Knowing Jesus should be a lifelong pursuit – Philippians 3:12-14.

17-year-old Lydia Jacoby is a swimmer from Seward, Alaska (population: 2, 773) and the first Olympic swimmer from Alaska. Jacoby joined a local swim team at age 6 and before long was swimming faster than everyone else her age. She broke her first state record at age 12. When her local pool closed because of COVID-19 she was forced to train at a pool 2 ½ hours away. Jacoby kept training, knocking off time, until she qualified in the 100 breast, claiming the second spot on the team, and then pulled off an amazing gold medal win in the 100-meter breaststroke. Jacoby could have settled for just being a swimmer, but her dream was to be on the Olympic team. She could have been satisfied with making the team, but she desired to compete for the prize. With all the odds against her, she worked hard for the prize. By the way, her hometown doesn’t even have an Olympic size swimming pool, yet she competed for the prize and won! 

By stating in verse 12 that Paul hasn’t reached his goal or become perfect in knowing Jesus, Paul is looking back at what he has just described in Philippians 3:10-11.  Those things he described in verses 10-11 are still not realized in his life. It is like Jacoby’s hard work in competing for the Olympic gold. She kept working hard even though she was already known as a talented swimmer in Alaska. 

The “it” Paul referred to in verses 12 and 13 was the wreath given at the end of the race, like the gold medal given to Jacoby. So what Paul was saying was this, “I know that the race is not over yet. Even though I have a relationship with Christ because of my experience with Him on the Damascus Road, I’ve not yet done all God has for me to do. I’m going to keep working, training, serving, learning, and striving to know more about Jesus.”

• What might cause a believer to stop the pursuit of knowing Jesus more? Perhaps the answer to this question is found in Paul’s statement in Philippians 3:13. 
• Are you laser focused daily on knowing Jesus? Is it the one thing you do more than anything else? Or are your time, energy, money, and interests diverted in a hundred different directions? Are you so involved in a hundred and one good things that your commitment to Christ just gets lost in the shuffle?
• Notice the two things Paul said you should do to be laser focused on knowing Jesus -- Forget the past; Reach for the Future. How can you apply this to your life?

Someone once said, “Millions in the church today feel like they have done their part, run their race, and finished their course, when, in reality, they have not even made it through the first lap.” Imagine the difference that would be made in our church and in the world if we who profess Christ face each day with the awareness that led Paul to say in verse 12, I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus.

Knowing Jesus should produce maturity – Philippians 3:15-19.

Paul believed that all spiritually mature Christians would agree with his thinking, and if they didn’t, God would reveal more to them if they would continue to pursue knowing Jesus. As they pursued knowing Jesus more they were to live up to whatever truth they already knew. 

Don’t use not knowing as an excuse to stop knowing Jesus!

In our Christian walk, we are to keep our eyes on the goal of maturity and be ever pressing toward it. If we can’t see the goal, we need to keep our eye on someone who knows the way to the goal and follow him.

Knowing Jesus means we should live as citizens of Heaven – Philippians 3:20-21. 

If you profess to believe in Christ, you should remember, while on this earth, that you are a foreigner or alien away from your true home. Your Christian citizenship is in Heaven where you will be fully transformed because Jesus is Lord of all and able to accomplish the work that He started in you.

Moving Forward

Write this down in the margin of your Bible or study guide, “Knowing Jesus is more important than . . .” Then consider the things that keep you from knowing Jesus based on Paul’s words. Write those things down beside the statement. Spend time this week praying for God to help you overcome those things that keep you from knowing Jesus as you should.

In 1993 Graham Kendrick penned the words to the song, Knowing You (All I Once Held Dear). Check out the words on the video below and make this your prayer today.

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. Be sure to use this as a supplement to your study of the Explore the Bible Study resources provided by LifeWay.

Do you believe one who demonstrates humility is someone who is content? Do you believe they experience joy through humility, or do you believe it is a frustrating action that is only exhibited by those who are weak? The Explore the Bible Study: Joy Through Humility, will answer these questions as Paul's instructions regarding authentic, biblical humility are examined in Philippians 2:1-15.

Humility is defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “freedom from pride or arrogance: the quality or state of being humble.” Some common synonyms for humility are demureness, down-to-earthness, humbleness, lowliness, meekness, and modesty.

A biblical view of humility is something we struggle with understanding because many believe humility portrays a position of weakness. Humility from a Christian perspective is a positive word, not a negative one.  Paul provides a clear explanation of the path one should take in order to practice biblical humility.

First, Paul tells us that the practice of biblical humility brings joy and unity - Philippians 2:1-4

Paul begins with a series of “if’s” – If, there is any . . . encouragement in Christ; consolation of love; fellowship with the Spirit; affection and mercy. These four “ifs” were used by Paul as an appeal to the Philippian believers and send a message to us as well. He is making an appeal based on the assumption that these qualities or actions are present because of a personal relationship with Christ.

Notice the emphasis in this passage on unity. He uses the words same, united, one to introduce each of these actions. Then, in verses 3-4 Paul describes the actions that demonstrate true biblical humility. Notice the phrases Paul uses– Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit (v.3); Consider others as more important than yourselves. (v.3); Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. (v.4)

• Which of these actions is most difficult for believers to practice today? 
• What would happen to all the divisions we are currently experiencing in our society if believers consistently demonstrated biblical humility? 
• How would biblical humility enable believers to share and show the good news of Jesus to others?

Paul tells us that joy is only made complete when we experience unity of purpose, mind, spirit, and love that is produced when believers practice biblical humility.

Then Paul gives us a biblical humility role model to follow - Philippians 2:5-11

Paul tells us in verse 7 that Christ emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant (slave) and taking on the likeness of humanity. Many get confused by this phrase because they assume that Jesus gave up his deity to become human.  This is not the case. The key is in verse 6 and the word existing. Existing is present tense and states Christ’s continuing condition. He did not just possess the nature of God; He is God. He was 100 percent God even when He was a baby.  There was never a moment ,and there will never be a moment, when Jesus is not God.

Therefore, the word “assuming” or “taking” in verse 7 does not imply an exchange, but rather an addition. Nothing was taken away, but humanity was added along with the perspective of being a slave.  He willingly took it upon Himself. His perspective shifted from that of Master to slave – a slave to salvation for mankind!  One who possessed the form of God took on the outward appearance of a man and was obedient even unto death!

This is a true and perfect picture of biblical humility. He desired to serve mankind to the point of death so that man’s broken relationship with God (with Himself) could be restored.

Paul tells us in verse 9 that Jesus was highly exalted. One might then consider Paul’s instructions a formula or list of steps one could take to be exalted. This is not a formula. Christ did not empty Himself, take on the form of a servant, take on the likeness of humanity, become obedient to death to be exalted. He was already exalted; therefore, He chose to humble Himself. 

Understanding this, we should make sure we aren’t “faking humility” to gain something. If your motivation for becoming humble is so that you can be exalted, then you aren’t practicing biblical humility at all. The reality for believers is that practicing biblical humility has nothing to do with gaining some type of position or being exalted. As believers, our position in Christ is secure and we have been “exalted” through a personal relationship with Christ.

Here are just a few things the Bible tells us about our position in Christ as believers: 

• We have been given eternal life (Romans 6:23). 
• We are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1). 
• We have the Holy Spirit residing in us (John 14:15-17). 
• We are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). 
• We share in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). 
• We walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). 
• We are united in Christ (Romans 6:5-6). 
• We are made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5). 
• We are part of the body of Christ (Romans 12:5). 
• We are blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 1:3). 
• We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). 
• We are called God’s children (1 John 3:1; Romans 8:17). 
• We are co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). 

Have you ever heard the term “take the high road”? It means to behave in a moral way when other people are not behaving morally – To choose the most noble, ethical, or diplomatic course or method, especially after or in the face of negativity or ill treatment. This road or path of humility is not to be be exploited but to be used to serve others and demonstrate the gospel. It is the path one must choose as a believer because Christ gave us the example and it is the only way to experience true joy.

Practicing biblical humility reveals Christ to a lost world – Philippians 2:12-15

Notice the phrases where Paul uses the words “work” or “working.” Paul is not telling us that one can earn salvation through works. This is obvious because Paul also tells us that this is only possible when God works in and through us. What he does instruct us about is our attitude -- fear and trembling. This is indicative of one who is sincerely humble.

Paul goes on to explain that biblical humility isn’t demonstrated through grumbling and arguing. If we are working out our salvation with fear and trembling, we will be less likely to grumble and argue with one another.

One should be reminded by Paul's instructions that actions are so important, especially during these uncertain and trying times. Most of us could probably give examples of or recognize times when we haven’t necessarily adopted the attitude of Christ when it comes to practicing humility. Paul reminds us in verse 15 that there is a world that is watching how we live and respond, especially to challenging situations. May we all strive to practice biblical humility so that we may be found blameless, pure, and faultless before a crooked and perverted culture. May the good news of Jesus shine like stars in this broken world who is in such a need of the Savior.

 

How can you rejoice even when you face adversity? It is difficult, but the apostle Paul learned this skill and his adversity is something most of us who profess Christ and live in the United States will never experience. Yet there are Christians all over the world who do experience Pauline type adversity and continue to rejoice as Paul did. The Explore the Bible Study: Joy of Adversity, will examine Paul's response to adversity. Perhaps you will discover how to rejoice in spite of your circumstances or the conditions of the world around you.

Under Roman house arrest and awaiting trial on a capital offense before the Roman emperor, Nero, we find Paul encouraging his audience to rejoice in Philippians 1:12-30. How can he be doing that? How can he be full of joy amid adversity? The answer? Vantage point! 

He sees his circumstances from God’s perspective. Therefore, he has a clear understanding of what is going on and why these things are happening to him. Getting God’s big picture, vantage point, on your problems and adversities can give you a sense of joy and peace.

Rejoice Because Adversity Has Advanced the Gospel - Philippians 1:12-18

Paul points to his own persecution and his present imprisonment in Rome. Instead of hampering the gospel, these have advanced it. The palace guards along with the common people on the street understood that he was in prison due to his commitment to Christ. 

One can only imagine what those who guarded him observed that led to their openness to listen to the gospel. Had they heard the apostle singing and praying as he and Silas had done in the Philippian jail years before? Or was there something about his silent demeanor as a prisoner that made them wonder what made the difference between Paul and other prisoners? Whatever the case, Paul assured his friends and supporters back in Philippi that his circumstances had led to the gospel being advanced and shared. 

In addition, other believers were inspired by Paul’s witness, to speak the word of God. Instead of being fearful, they had become fearless in proclaiming the gospel. Notice also that Paul was even joyful for those who proclaimed the gospel out of impure motives. While many were sharing the gospel out of pure love for Christ and the desire to see others saved, some were motivated to share the gospel because of personal gain. 

Paul found joy in the fact that the gospel was being spread in Rome. So, in the face of preachers with motives that were not pure, the apostle had a simple but large-hearted response in the form of a question: What does it matter? What mattered was not his feelings, but that Christ is proclaimed.

Even though the gospel was being proclaimed with mixed motives, the message, nevertheless, was Christ and people were being saved. So, Paul emphasized the results, not the reasons, and he rejoiced. He rejoiced because so much good (the gospel witness) was coming out of his imprisonment (his adversity).

Paul’s purpose was bigger than his life, finances, job, career, or circumstances. His life purpose was to share the gospel. 

• Do you believe this is the reason God has left you here after you were saved? 
• How can the things you pursue this side of Heaven rob you of the joy you should have for sharing the gospel? 
• How can adversity cause you to think more selfishly about what you have lost instead of the opportunities you have gained to share the gospel due to your adversity?

When you face adversity, no matter how much or how little, you should be joyful if others can see Jesus and embrace the gospel because of your situation.

Rejoicing During Adversity Will Exalt Christ - Philippians 1:19-26

Whether he regained his freedom to minister outside of prison or went to be with the Lord in heaven, Paul was determined to exalt Christ. He knew he could continue to exalt Christ because of the prayers of the Philippians and the Spirit of Jesus Christ who worked in and around him.

• How would you complete the following statement: “The adversities I face personally, or the circumstances we are facing in this world today motivate me to . . . “
• Many believers today desire to escape, hide, give up, or just get ready for Heaven while silently sitting on the sidelines. Is this a proper response based on Paul’s statements in this passage?
• Based on Paul’s response to adversity, what should be your response?

Rejoicing During Adversity Will Encourage Believers - Philippians 1:27-30

God was in control of the situation. Paul could be released from prison or killed by the Romans. Just as he wanted to maintain his testimony for Christ, he longed for the Philippians to remain faithful and united, too. Paul, didn’t moan about his personal situation but encouraged the believers in Philippi to stand firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel. 

Choose to Rejoice

Paul could have become depressed, discouraged, or disillusioned. He could have wallowed in self-pity and despair. Instead, he regarded his imprisonment as being appointed or destined. Adversity, whether it comes in the form of persecution or trials, is a part of the Christian life and should come as no surprise. If adversity destroys us then the gospel is not shared, Jesus Christ is not exalted, and other believers are not encouraged. Which should you choose? 

Paul was able to experience joy in adversity because:

1. The good news of Jesus was being shared.
2. Christ was being exalted.
3. He and other believers were being encouraged. 

Paul encouraged believers, as citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ (v. 27). Don’t let your circumstances determine your joy. Live a life of joy because you are a citizen of heaven and have nothing to lose. View life from God’s vantage point and you can experience joy in the midst of adversity!

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. Be sure to use this as a supplement to your study of the Explore the Bible Study resources provided by LifeWay.

NOTE: This week's teaching ideas include a football illustration option and quarterback comeback story. Be sure to check it out as an option when preparing your plans.

 

"I'm praying for you" is something you have most likely told someone or someone has said to you over the past few days. It seems we are saying this more often these days because the need for prayer has never been more evident. The Explore the Bible Study: Joy in Prayer, will encourage you to remember that we can not only find joy in praying for others, but we can experience joy because of those who might be praying for us as we strive to live our Christian faith daily.

We begin a new study of the New Testament books of Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. These were all written as Paul sat in Rome waiting to appear before Caesar. All three letters begin with Paul passionately praying for these young churches:

• Philippians 1:1-4 – Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,
• Colossians 1:1-3 – Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God’s will, and Timothy our brother:  2 To the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters. Grace to you and peace from God our Father. 3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,
• Philemon 1:1-4 – Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother: To Philemon our dear friend and coworker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your home. 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers,

Paul’s prayers were not trivial words mentioned in passing. They were passionately offered on behalf of these young believers because of the relationship Paul had with each of these churches and individuals and his desire to encourage them to continue to grow in their faith.

The focus this week will be on Philippians 1:1-11 and Paul's prayer for the church in Philippi. In Acts 16:11-40, the church at Philippi’s early beginnings is described. This early church was an example of the unity we are to have in Christ while being from diverse backgrounds. The founding church believers were made up of a Seeker (a woman named Lydia), a Slave girl (possessed with a spirit), and a Sentry (a Philippian jailer, a gentile)! Even though they were diverse, they were partners for the gospel in this early church.

As you study Philippians 1:1-11, imagine yourself sitting with Lydia, the slave girl, and the jailer as this letter is opened and read for the first time. Consider how you would have felt if you were among the Philippian Christians and you heard Paul’s encouraging words and how he and Timothy were praying for you.

Paul and Timothy Affirm and Offer a Blessing -- Philippians 1:1-2

Servants (Slaves) - Their greeting was from a position of humility and not power. They described themselves as servants, literally meaning "slave," in verse 1. Timothy and Paul considered themselves to be completely at God’s disposal, in body and soul, ready and willing to serve him in any capacity as a slave would serve a master. 

This is a very distinct term that would resonate with the early church. When the Roman Empire defeated a nation, sometimes conquered people would be enslaved. Paul was writing to the church at Philippi from Rome in AD 62. According to the HCSB Study Bible, there were an estimated 3 million slaves (400,000 in the city of Rome) of a total population of 7.5 million Romans in AD 63. Yet God led Paul and Timothy to use this term to describe their relationship to Christ.

However, there was one big difference in Paul and Timothy’s servitude. It was voluntary and not coerced, stemming from grace and resulting in peace. Realizing they had been bought with a price, the death of Christ in their behalf, Paul and Timothy voluntarily became servants of God. They regarded service as slaves to God as a great honor. 

Saints - They referred to ALL the believers as saints or “holy ones.” A saint is not a super Christian but a normal Christian. To be a saint means to be “set apart,” “holy,” or “sanctified.” A saint is separated, consecrated, and devoted to God’s service by the Holy Spirit which takes place the moment one trusts in Christ as personal Savior. As his saints we are called out to serve him rather than pursue sin.

Overseers and Deacons – While all believers are saints, there were two primary officials in the early church—overseers and deacons. Overseer comes from the Greek episkopos meaning “superintendent,” “guardian,” or “bishop” and is most understood as the pastor or elder role today.

A deacon was another official office in the New Testament church and is derived from the Greek word diakonos—“one who serves.” The need for this position arose as the number of converts to Christ grew. Acts 6:1–6 revealed how this significant office began. The obligations of deacons involved practical service, ministering to the physical needs of the church. 

Paul and Timothy, from their position as servants, spoke a blessing to ALL the believers in the Philippian church. All were connected and given grace and peace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All were blessed no matter their position.

Why He Was Praying - Philippians 1:3-8

Paul's prayers for these believers were rooted in the loving memories he had of their relationship. He said he prayed for them in his every prayer. He then tells them why.

They Were Partners! - Being partners in the gospel and in grace was vitally important to Paul as he sat in house arrest. Paul knew he was not alone in taking his stand with Christ. There were partners standing with him, seeking to live Christ-honoring lives in their locations. Paul represented those believers while inside the walls of that Roman house while they represented him outside those walls. They expected each other to represent Christ well in word and in deed, with Paul expressing the joy he found in their partnership. They were counting on each other to do the right thing.

Today, we join the efforts of missionaries and various ministries by supporting them with prayer, finances, and sometimes by donating our time to labor alongside them. Christian ministry is not meant for Lone Rangers, but as a team we labor together in the Lord’s harvest.

Paul then expresses his confidence in them in Philippians 1:6 by telling them that he knew that, "He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

• Do you feel confident that God will carry out a good work in you? Why or why not? 
• How would it feel if a fellow brother or sister in Christ put their arms around you and said, “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus"?

Prayer is one of the greatest ways we express our love and affirmation of other brothers and sisters in Christ. However, we should not just pray for one another, but we should tell others we are praying for them and why we are praying for them. This kind of praying spurs others on toward spiritual growth and encourages them to never give up.

What He Was Praying - Philippians 1:9-11

Paul prayed the believers' love would keep on growing, that they would be given discernment regarding truth, making decisions, and how to live for Christ. He prayed they would make choices that would keep them pure and blameless at the day of Christ Jesus—The Second Coming or the rapture. He prayed their lives would produce the fruit of righteousness. He reminds them that none of this is possible without Jesus Christ.

How Should You Pray?

Paul’s letter began with a prayer for believers whom he dearly loved and appreciated because of their faith and commitment to Christ. He desired to let them know that he was praying for them before he talked with them regarding anything else.

Based on Paul’s prayer how could you pray for the following? 

• Believers in Afghanistan?
• The servicemen you know who served in Afghanistan?
• Churches in southern Louisiana who were damaged by Hurricane Ida?
• Churches in Waverly, Tennessee who are trying to help all those who lost everything in the recent flood?
• Families you know who have lost loved ones to COVID?
• Individuals whom you know who are currently sick with COVID?

Friends who will pray for us are treasured. Their prayers encourage, direct, and challenge us in our spiritual lives. Who do you know that needs to hear from you today? Who needs to know how special they are to you and that you are praying for them? Consider writing a letter to them, sending them an email, texting, or calling them and letting them know today how you feel and that you are praying for them.

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. Be sure to use this as a supplement to your study of the Explore the Bible Study resources provided by LifeWay.