10/20: "Friends" (Philippians 1:3-11)

1.  Why has God made community such an essential component in our daily lives? How have you benefitted from the fellowship of others in your life recently?




2.  Thinking about your own relationships, what obstacles frequently seem to get in the way of showing unconditional love towards others?




3.  How does Paul remind us that our friendships a gift from God? In what ways does Paul model for us the response that we should have towards others in our lives?




4.  How do the friendships of those who follow after Christ differ from worldly friendships? Looking at v. 9, how are our knowledge and love linked together?




5.  How does the Gospel help repair our broken friendships and relationships with one another? According to Phil. 1:3-11, what are some characteristics of Christian love?

True Love Waits...for what? (Phil. 3:17-4:1, Sexuality Part 4)

1) There are a number of examples in the Bible where God's people are forced to wait for something.  Name a few.

2) What are some times in your life where you've found waiting particularly difficult?

3) Can you name some things you are waiting for in life right now?

4) According to Paul, what exactly are we waiting for?  Do you find this encouraging or not?

5) How can we help each other as we wait together?

6) It has been said that "Christians are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good."  Is this true?

10/13: "How is the Church Going?" (Philippians 1:1-2)

1.  When we think about a successful church, what comes to our minds? How do we define a successful ministry?

2.  In what ways can we demonstrate our commitment to and appreciation for God's grace in the church? 

3.  Ryan states that the Gospel transforms the way we think about power. In what ways have you seen this transformation playing out in your own life? 

4.  How does the Gospel transform the way we think about leadership? How does this compare with examples that we see in the world? In what ways are our own views on leadership not in step with the example Christ provides us?

5.  Ryan references Mike Higgins' illustration of being issued a bigger towel with each promotion he received in the military? Is this how you would describe your own views on leadership? What aspects of your views on leadership could use some work?