2/14/10 Guide

Slay the Me-Monster

Philippians 1:1-11

Week of 2/14/10

Getting Started

In honor of Valentine’s Day, what’s your favorite and least favorite Romance movie?

When you think of the selfless service of others, what are some modern examples that come to mind?

Digging Deeper

1) In verse 1:1, Paul describes himself and Timothy as “servants” (NIV) or “bond-servants” (NASB) of Christ “to the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi.” What is “bond-service?” How is bond-service to Jesus linked to our service to our fellow believers? (cf. with Exodus 21:1-12)?

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2) Read verses 2-5. This past week we learned that Paul lived for others by praying deeply for others rather than just for himself. Practically speaking, how does praying for others help us in our fight against the Me-Monster? What are some concrete ways to make your prayers other-centered?

3) Read Job 42:10. The passage suggests a cause and effect relationship between Job’s intercession for others and his personal blessings. Can you think of other passages that confirm this? Is there an experience in your life that confirms this?

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4) Read verse 6. According to this passage, why should a genuine believer have confidence that he or she will stand before God blameless? What are some bad reasons to have assurance of salvation? Do you have the assurance of your salvation?

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5) We often pray for others when they are in crisis and that the bad things in their life would get better (and rightly so). Read verses 4-9 and note the ways that Paul’s prayer is different than how we often pray? Do you need to adjust the way that you pray for other?

6) Review Paul’s prayer in verses 9-11 in a couple translations. What do you take Paul to be praying for? How is this connected to living for others?

7) This past week we also learned that Paul lived for others by investing spiritually in them. Reread verses 3-8. What are some tips that we can take from Paul’s example to cultivate gospel-centered relationships with others?

Putting It Into Practice

Discuss and plan a way to encourage someone in his or her faith this week.