Lesson Notes:  Philippians 3:1-4a (NIV based)

READ:  Philippians 3:1-4a, with vv.2:12-16 for context

v.1
What is "rejoice in the Lord"?  How?  And about what?

Why are we saints, true believers, instructed to rejoice in the Lord?

How is Paul's "writing the same things again" "a safeguard for" the Philippian saints?

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v.2
Why and how should we "watch out for those dogs"?  Who are they and what threat do they pose?

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v.3
What doctrines are Paul setting straight here?  List and individually analyze each one.

Why do we put no confidence in the flesh?

Why do you suppose Paul felt compelled to again write the warning and principles contained in verses 2-3?

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v.4a
In verse 4a, what is Paul essentially saying about himself, his background, his past, his theological approach prior to his conversion to becoming a true believer?

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Theologically and doctrinally speaking, what is your confidence in?  List them.

In verses 2-3, God clearly, distinctly, directly, and seriously rejects and opposes the confidence that "those dogs" have.  So, what does God think about the things your confidence is in?

If you do not know for sure what God thinks about the things your confidence is in, then why not do some unbiased research in God's Word to find out what God thinks about each of your things?

And if you determine that God opposes any of the things your confidence is in, then of course the wise course of action is to immediately and thoroughly replace them with what God says in His Word.

But if you hang on to any of the things your confidence is in that God opposes, are you prepared to battle God in the remainder of this life and then have Him call you one of "those dogs" on Judgment Day?

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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: Philippians3_1-4a-LessonNotes.___ (.htm, .doc, .pdf)
Translation used: NIV, quoted or referred to in various places within this document
Source: www.BelieverAssist.com
Updated: December 12, 2016