Messages for the Christians in Philippi

The believers should get along with each other.

Bible reference

Philippians 4:2-9

Introduction

Paul is near the end of his letter. He has some last messages. Life can be difficult for the Christians at Philippi. And life is hard for him as he is in prison. Paul writes about how they all must live.

He has a message for believers at Philippi who argue. He writes about some actions and thoughts that are important for believers. He uses his own life as an example, as he did in the last chapter.

Questions to ask

4:2 ~ What had caused trouble among the believers at Philippi?

4:2-3 ~ To remove this trouble, what two things does Paul want?

4:3 ~ What do we learn about the people who had caused this trouble among the believers?

4:4-5 ~ Why should the believers always be happy? What else does Paul say that they should do?

4:6 ~ Some ideas in our minds are not good. Paul writes about two of these. What are they?

4:6-7 ~ Paul does not want the believers to have these bad ideas. What should they do instead?

4:7 ~ They should do what Paul asks. What will be the good result? Why can God make this happen?

4:8 ~ Instead of these bad ideas, what good things should the believers think about? Make a list

4:9 ~ Whose example should they copy? What will be the result?

Something to do

What are some ideas on which all believers must agree? There are some in these verses. Try to think of others.

Paul writes about two women who do not agree. What causes trouble among believers today? What can we do when believers do not agree? (Here are some verses that might help you: Romans 14:1-8; 1 Corinthians1:10; 2 Timothy 2:23, James 4;1.)

Paul writes about ‘the God who causes us to be without trouble inside ourselves’. What should I do when I have trouble inside myself? Write a short prayer for when this happens.