Have you ever seen a “What do you see?” optical illusion? You know, you look at a picture and some people see a rabbit while other people see a duck. Some people see a picture of an old woman, while others see a young woman. (If you have extra time, ask your leader to look up some of these images!) It is fascinating to me that we can see something totally different than someone else. It is all based on our perspective. Sometimes we are stuck and cannot see the other perspective; that is when we need help from someone else.
This week, we are looking at the beginning of Paul’s letter to the Philippian Christians. The book of Philippians is one of the New Testament letters written by the Apostle Paul. Philippians is often regarded as one of Paul’s most joyful and encouraging letters, despite his circumstances of writing it from prison. In this week’s lesson, we will look at our call to evangelize (tell others about Christ) and how our perspective matters.
Read Philippians 1:3-6, “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.”
In Philippians chapter 1, Paul begins by expressing his deep affection and gratitude towards the Philippians for their partnership in the Gospel from the first day they believed until the present. He assures them of his prayers for them and shares his confidence that God, who started a good work in them, will finish it.
1. What was Paul’s heart towards the Christians in Philippi?
2. Within the introduction of his letter to the Christians in Philippi, Paul writes that he has been lifting them up in prayer. What is the importance of prayer as it relates to evangelism?
3. What do you think it means to have “partnership in the Gospel”?
4. What “good work” is Paul referring to?
Paul then provides an update on his personal situation. He mentions that he is currently imprisoned for the cause of Christ, which has actually resulted in the spread of the Gospel among the Roman guards and others in the palace. Rather than becoming discouraged by his circumstances, Paul rejoices because the Gospel is being proclaimed.
Read Philippians 1:12-14, “I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
5. Does Paul view his imprisonment as a failure to evangelize? Why or why not?
6. How did Paul’s imprisonment impact his faith?
7. Has your faith ever grown stronger because of a difficult trial that you had to face? Write about it!
Read Philippians 1:15-18, “Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.”
8. What is Paul’s response to those who “preach Christ from envy and rivalry,” or “selfish ambition”?
9. If someone were to ask you, “Why are you a Christian?” what would your response be?
10. In what ways do you “preach” or “proclaim” Christ in and with your life?
Paul saw nothing as wasted. Regardless of his circumstances or the situation he found himself in, he was faithful to God’s calling and to living out the Great Commission. Mark 16:15 records, “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” Despite being persecuted and imprisoned, his perspective allowed the Gospel to still be advanced not only from his efforts, but multiplied by those that he invested in. We need to pray that regardless of the situation or circumstance we find ourselves in, we will be committed to advancing the Gospel with joy and confidence.