Lesson Notes:  Philippians 1:1-6 (NIV based)

BACKGROUND:  For those of you who have a study Bible, summarize what it says about the background for the writing of this Book of Philippians.

READ:  Philippians 1:1-6

v.1
What is a "saint", an "overseer", and a "deacon"?
- - "saint" = a sanctified person, i.e. a true believer - a person who has placed his/her faith in Jesus Christ, that He suffered and died on the cross to pay the penalty for his/her own sins, resulting in he/she receives complete forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God in heaven.
- - "overseer" = a person who officially supervises a ministry; examples: - elder, pastor.
- - "deacon" = a person who officially serves the church, its people, and its overseeing elders, providing physical assistance, help, and logistical support in the carrying out or implementation of the decisions and policies of the church and its official leaders.

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v.2
What is the message or blessing being conveyed from God?

What does the word "grace" mean?
- - "grace" = undeserved favor.

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v.3
Can we or do we thank God every time you remember saints you know, or you have helped spiritually, or they have helped you?

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v.4
Do we pray for other saints repeatedly or in all our prayers?

Do we pray for all the saints in our church or ministry?

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v.5
Why is Paul praying for these saints at Philippi?
- - because of their faithful consistent "partnership in the gospel" with Paul - i.e. their giving of financial support to Paul in particular.  (vv.4:10-18)

Do we consistently support someone who is in the ministry of the gospel?

What is the "gospel"?  
- - for the answer, see 1 Corinthians 15:1-5; the word "gospel" means 'good news'.

Do we, who are in ministry, have someone or people who support us?  Consistently?

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v.6
What does the concept mean, that God will complete the good work He has started in you?
- - God is actively at work in the lives of believers to bring further sanctification and righteousness.
- - God will continue this work until we die or until Christ comes for us.
- - This, too, is grace (undeserved favor).

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MAIN POINT:  What would you say is the main point in these verses?

IMPORTANT SUB-POINTS:  What are some other important points God is making here in these verses?

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APPLICATIONS:  What applications can you think of for how we should respond to the concepts in these verses? 

PERSONALIZED APPLICATIONS:  From these verses, what do you think God wants you to learn, or know, or remember, or put into effect in your life?  How are you going to do that?

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Works Cited:
Bible. “The Holy Bible: New International Version.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.
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Copyrights:
Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Copyright © 2014 Mel W. Coddington, and permission is hereby granted that this document may be used, copied, and distributed non-commercially to non-profit organizations, individuals, churches, ministries, and schools worldwide, provided the copies are distributed at no charge and retain this sources documentation as supplied herein. This document is not for sale, resale, or for use as a gift or premium to be offered in connection with solicitations or contributions.
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File name: Philippians1_1-6-LessonNotes.___ (.htm, .doc, .pdf)
Translation used: NIV, quoted or referred to in various places within this document
Source: www.BelieverAssist.com
Updated: December 2, 2016