NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Bible Studies For Life curriculum.
Bible Passage: Philippians 1:12-21
Discussion Questions: What do you like so much that it’s hard to share? When have you seen God use difficult circumstances to advance the Gospel? What are the basic elements of the Gospel message?
Food for thought:
This is the second of six studies in Bible Studies for Life that focus on the book of Philippians and what it says about joy.
Where can we find full and lasting joy? The apostle Paul radiated a contagious joy in his letter to the Philippians. Indeed, the happiest man in Rome was imprisoned! Paul reminds us that we don’t derive ultimate joy from comfortable circumstances. No, joy comes from a vibrant communion with Christ. Joy isn’t about attaining more stuff; it’s about treasuring Christ more.
Paul teaches us that part of this joy-filled life is expressed when we share Christ with those who don’t know Him as Savior. In the midst of trials, daily life and unending obstacles, this task of communicating the Gospel is far from easy. The first chapter of Philippians doesn’t dismiss the adversity we’ll face. Instead, Paul writes that hardships can actually serve to advance the Gospel, not hinder it. Opponents to the Gospel message will surface and circumstances may change for the worse. Still, we’re to keep our focus on Christ and freedom He offers.
Philippians 1 dives into three topics Christ-followers will wrestle with: hardships, critics and our witness. We can be assured of three truths: we can share Christ with joy in spite of hardships; we can share Christ with joy in spite of critics, and we can share Christ with joy in both life and death.
Paul said, “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Paul’s steady focus on Christ is worth imitating. Nothing else satisfies, and nothing else will last. Only Jesus does. We can have irrepressible joy in Him, and we can share that joy with others.
Bible Studies For Life
Bible Studies for Life connects the Bible to life for adults, students, and kids. Bible Studies for Life helps individuals and groups know God’s Word through trustworthy content, creates biblical community through engaging and conversational group studies, and helps people engage the culture missionally by unpacking what the Bible says about real-life issues. More information can be found on the Internet at LifeWay.com/BibleStudiesforLife.
Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.
