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

READ:  Philippians 4:1-3, with vv.3:10,13-14,17 for context

v.1
From Paul's disclosure about his regard for the Philippian saints, speculate what kind of dynamics and interactions probably occurred between them when Paul was with them.

Do you hold this type of regard for your ministry leaders?  If not, why not?

Do your ministry leaders hold this type of regard for you and other people in your group?  If not, why not? 

How or what is "that is how [we] should stand firm in the Lord"?

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v.2
From the brief description in verse 2, what situation apparently has been happening?

Theorize what effects this ongoing disagreeing was having on the very small group of believers in Philippi?

What options are there to remedy this ongoing disagreeing situation?

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v.3
These two women apparently had been helping Paul in ministry.  What does this imply about there being differences of opinions and/or personality clashes between workers in ministries?

Theorize what this perpetual disagreeing could potentially escalate into, good and bad.

What is implied by Paul as to how the other Philippian saints have been responding to this situation?

Assuming that both of these women are true believers and are passionate about doing ministry work "for the cause of the gospel", in this situation, is anyone sinning?  If so, whom, and what sin(s) are they committing?  (Hint: see Romans 12:18; 14:19-20a; Matthew 5:9 with James 4:17)

What remedy for this situation does Paul recommend here?

What kinds of responses typically occur to perpetual disagreeing like this in our church or ministry?  Why?  Are these kinds of responses to perpetual disagreeing wise and healthy for a church or ministry?

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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?

For those of you who help or do work in a ministry, do you take a cooperative and collaborative approach with other workers and leaders?  Or do you at times take a disagreeable approach?  What does God think about your approach in this regard?

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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: Philippians4_1-3-LessonNotes.___ (.htm, .doc, .pdf)
Translation used: NIV, quoted or referred to in various places within this document
Source: www.BelieverAssist.com
Updated: December 14, 2016