Phillipians 1 Bs

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A Perspective from Prison C H A P T E R

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PHILIPPIANS 1:1-26 PaulÕs Heart for His Disciples 1:1-11 PaulÕs Heart for the Gospel 1:12-19 PaulÕs Heart for Christ 1:20-26

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Author: Paul PaulÕs contemporaries couldnÕt believe their ears when they heard the news. Prison! Paul has become a Christian and now heÕs in prison. Who would have ever imagined? He was more of a ÒMost Likely to SucceedÓ kind of guy than a prisoner. After all, he came from a great Roman family and had the best of educationsÐeven personal schooling with the famous teacher, Gamaliel. He was devoutly religious, and the other Jews looked to him for leadership. He followed the rules to a Òt.Ó Everyone respected Paul and his zealous drive to silence anyone who tried to discount the Jewish faith. Paul hated the thought that so-called Christians were trying to convince

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PHILIPPI

Locate Philippi on a map in your Bible. Note that Philippi was a bustling, commercial city. The 250,000 inhabitants enjoyed up-scale living. They boasted of their theater, highway system, gold mine, and the first European church. Everyone passed through Philippi on their way to anywhere, and the Philippians were proud of it. In fact they were a lot like Texans, proud of their citizenship but sometimes forgetful of the big picture. Paul had to remind the church people what was most important.

people that a man named Jesus was the Messiah; he hated it so much that he even endorsed their persecution. And now, he was in prison for preaching Christ! Little did they know that he was a changed man. Everything that was a big deal to him then had now become nothing in comparison. He became a Christian and was now a missionary leader to the first churches. One church that held a special place in PaulÕs heart was the church in Philippi. He had known them for nine years and had visited them with a few friendsÐSilas, Timothy and Luke.

Philippians Paul wrote this letter to the church at Philippi to thank and encourage them. He was grateful for their gifts and concern for him while he was in prison when they were also suffering. In the midst of some rotten circumstances, he learned how to endure trials from a Christian perspective and passed on what heÕd learned to them. Paul encourages them to live in unity and experience a life filled with joy.

A Perspective from Prison

STORY OF A DISCIPLER

My life was changed dramatically my junior year

Reflect and discuss: Think of someone in your past whoÕs really Ògiven their heart to youÓ (i.e., Òtaken you under their wingÓ). It could be a discipler, mentor, coach, family member, relative, friend or teacher. How would you describe them?

When Jerry, a senior, invited me to be in his discipleship group, it was a major step forward in my maturity both personally and spiritually. Jerry taught me how to share my faith by taking me with him, modeling how to do it, and eventually letting me do it myself.

Ask: How did their belief in you make you feel?

Paul’s Heart for His Disciples Read 1:1-11 What statements reveal PaulÕs heart for his disciples?

What do these teach you about a disciplerÕs heart?

HOW WOULD MOST STUDENTS ON CAMPUS COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING PHRASE? “FOR ME TO LIVE IS _____________.”

Paul’s Heart for the Gospel Read 1:12-19 Discuss the insights these verses give about PaulÕs heart for sharing the gospel.

What do his actions tell you about his attitude?

Paul’s Heart for Christ Read 1:20-26 What do you learn about PaulÕs heart for Christ?

What might your life look like if it was truly described by the phrase, Òfor me to live is ChristÓ?

L I F E C H A N G E How can a person develop a heart like Paul?

What steps do I need to take?

ISBN 1-885702-36-1

©1996 WSN Press; Campus Crusade for Christ, Inc.

Jerry’s discipleship flowed out of his deep, personal love relationship with Christ. When he taught God’s Word in our group, it was always insightful, thoughtful and flowed from his walk with God. It was not rote or canned. His example motivated me to find a group of guys and begin to disciple them. Jerry was my friend. He encouraged me. I could tell he prayed for me. He helped me develop my gifts and abilities like no one ever had before, like when he asked me to speak at our large group weekly meeting. He believed in me and gave me many opportunities to step out in faith. I’ll never forget being scared to the point of shaking when speaking at an evangelistic meeting Jerry had set up. My life was never the same after the year he spent discipling me. He certainly gave me a piece of his heart.

t WHAT IS MOST ON YOUR LIPS IS FIRST IN YOUR HEART.

ÒFor out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.Ó Matthew 12:34b

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