Bible and Beyond
Bible & Beyond for December 5, 2024
Paul’s prayer of thanksgiving for the church at Phillipi reflects the zeal that both Paul and the people in the Philipian church community share in spreading of the Gospel.
Philippians 1:3-11: 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I
always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being
confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of
Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in
chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify
how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so
that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled
with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved
worldwide.
Questions for Discussion:
1.) Would you say you have a “partnership in the Gospel” like Paul describes in v. 5?
2.) Paul reminds the Philippians that knowledge and insight are essential for good discernment. How
Can we understand these essential elements of discernment in such a fast-paced digital world?
3.) As we begin the season of Advent, what has been the greatest gift of the spirit this year for you?
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash