DAILY READING
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his

good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you

may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a

warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like

stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:13

In [Jesus] you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed

by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when

you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in

baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in

the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were

dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made

you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the

charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and

condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:9-14

QUESTIONS:
Do you get frustrated when you find yourself falling into the same

harmful attitudes or behaviors that you’ve tried to overcome? How

does Jesus help you to keep trying?

Does it give you courage and/or contentment knowing you don’t need

to figure it out alone?

DAILY EPISODES
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his

good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you

may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a

warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like

stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. Philippians 2:13

Then the glory of the Lord appeared at the tent of meeting to all the

Israelites. The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me

68A Journey Through Philippians

with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, despite all

the signs I have performed among them?” Numbers 14:10-11

QUESTIONS:
What are the situations where you are most likely to grumble?

How could you recognize those things and change your grumbling to

prayer in order to move your heart away from ingratitude and blame?

WEEKLY READING
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the

gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about

you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,

striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being

frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them

that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by

God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to

believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through

the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. Philippians 1:27-30


Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my

presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out

your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to

will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become

blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and

crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the

sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to

boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. But even if I

am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service

coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too

should be glad and rejoice with me. Philippians 2:12-18

DAILY READING
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his

good purpose. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you

may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a

warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like

stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. 2 Philippians 2:13

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own

way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was

oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like

a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so

he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:6-7


QUESTIONS:

How do you find it hard to lay down your need to be right for the sake

of doing what’s right?

How are you showing evidence of Proverbs 16:7 in your life, “when a

person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, they make even their enemies

live at peace with them”?

Daily Reading
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Philippians 1:12-14

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 1 Corinthians 1:3-7

Question
How are you demonstrating to others the love you know in Jesus and the hope you have in Him in your exact circumstances?

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:911

Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? Send me your light and your faithful care; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 43:2-5

Questions:
How are you doing with "hiding God's Word in your heart?"

How has worship helped you when your heart is downcast? Explain.

Daily Reading
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

Then he led me back to the bank of the river. When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh. Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. Ezekiel 47:6-9

Questions
Who are you thankful to for loving you unconditionally? How can you show “agape” love to those in your life who need that type of love from you?

DAILY READING
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:19-21

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. Matthew 10:5-8

QUESTION
Have you found that your greatest joy and contentment come from loving relationships with others? How are you showing that through your relationships? How does that challenge you?

Week 3 Day 1
Proclaim the Gospel
WEEKLY READING
Now, I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. Philippians 1:12-26

DAILY READING
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:19-21

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.” His disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman returned to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” John 4:25-29

QUESTION
In the last paragraph, Lindsay asked, “What are the purposes of your life greater than your present circumstances, and how can you see setbacks as opportunities to propel you toward God’s greater design for your life?