Philippians Bible Study Guide

Instructions

Begin by reading the introduction to Philippians in your study Bible. There is also a great introduction found in the Message paraphrase by Eugene Peterson. Use the questions below as extensively or as little as you would like. They are divided into three steps of good Bible study: Observation (Explore It), Interpretation (Get It) and Application (Apply It).

Bible Studies

Philippians 1:1-11

Explore It

How did Paul identify himself and his coworker? (1:1)

How did Paul greet the Philippians? (1:2)

When Paul thought about the Philippians, what did he do? (1:3)

How were the Philippians in partnership with Paul? (1:4-5)

What was Paul confident about? (1:6)

What did Paul report that he prayed for? (1:9)

What two results did Paul seek? (1:10-11)

Get It

Why do you think Paul describes himself and Timothy as servants and not leaders?

Why does Paul call the people Saints?

How will Jesus complete the good work He started in us (vs. 6)?

What is the difference between knowledge and depth of insight (vs. 9)?

Why is this so important to have insight (vs. 10-11)?

 

Apply It

How can we learn to see ourselves as servants with others?

How can we learn to be more thankful about what God is doing in our lives?

Who do I need to be praying for that their “love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight?”

Philippians 1:12-30

Explore It

How was Paul’s ministry affected by his bondage? (1:12-14)

Why was Paul being talked about? (1:13)

How did Paul’s incarceration affect the testimony of others? (1:14)

Why did some people preach Christ out of envy and rivalry? (1:15-17)

Why did some people preach Christ in love? (1:15-16)

What made Paul rejoice? (1:18)

What were Paul’s convictions about living and dying? (1:22-24)

How did Paul tell the Philippians to face opposition? (1:27-30)

 

Get It

Why do you think that the Message was advanced because of Paul’s imprisonment?

Why do you think Paul didn’t condemn the people who preached out of envy?

What did Paul mean by saying, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain”?

Why do you think Paul said that part of Christianity is not only to believe in Christ but to suffer for Christ?

 

Apply It

How can other people see the love of Christ through the hardships we go through personally? As a church?

How can we learn to rejoice with others / churches who are reaching people for Christ instead of being jealous?

How can we learn to make the biggest difference for Christ while we’re still alive?

Philippians 2:1-11

 

Explore It

-What four qualities mark unity with Christ? (2:1)

-What did Paul say about self-centeredness? (2:3-4)

-What did Paul exhort believers to have? (2:5)

-How did Jesus limit Himself? (2:6-8)

-How did God exalt Jesus? (2:9)

-How did Christ win sovereignty over all people and over everything? (2:10)

-What confession will every person make? (2:11)

Get It

-How was Christ fully God and fully man at the same time? (2:6-8)

-How is Christ the best example of humility and unselfishness for us? (2:6-8)

-Why did Christ take on the limitations of being human even though He was of the same nature as God? (2:7)

Apply It

-How does your life show that you count on Christ?

-How do petty quarrels hold you back in your Christian walk?

-What hinders unity in your church?

-How does Christ’s example of humility challenge our natural self-centeredness?

-What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate humility in your relationships?

-For the sake of unity in Christ, what petty squabbles should you clear up right away? How?

Philippians 2:12-18

Explore It

-What did the Philippian Christians need to obey? (2:12)

-What were the Philippian believers to work out? (2:12-13)

-What instructions did Paul give in relation to everyday Christian living? (2:14-16)

-Why were the Philippians not shining “like stars” in their world? (2:14-16)

-What would enable Paul to boast about the Philippians? (2:14-16)

-Whose honor was Paul concerned about? (2:16)

-How did Paul view his own life? (2:17)

-How did Paul view the faith of the Philippian believers? (2:17)

-What did Paul want his friends at Philippi to experience? (2:18)

Get It

-What does it mean “to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”?

-What godly qualities make Christians “shine like stars”?

-How does shining for Christ encourage others to be drawn to Him?

Apply It

-What do you tend to complain and argue about?

-How can you help new believers “shine like stars” for God’s kingdom?

-In what situations this week do you need to make a conscious effort not to complain or argue?

-What sacrifices can you make for the sake of others today?

Philippians 2:19-30

Explore It

-What was Paul’s opinion of Timothy? (2:20)

-In Paul’s view, why did Timothy stand out? (2:21-22)

-Who was Epaphroditus? (2:25)

-What happened to Epaphroditus? (2:26-27)

-How did Paul demonstrate his selflessness? (2:28)

-How were the Philippians told to welcome home Epaphroditus? (2:29-30)

Get It

-Why do you think Paul goes into detail about his relationship to Timothy and Epaphroditus?

-How important are relationships and partnerships when it comes to Christianity?

Apply It

-Who do you need to show spiritual support to this week?

-Who do you know that could provide spiritual guidance for you?

-What risks are you willing to take on behalf of other Christians?

Philippians 3:1-11

Explore It

-What did Paul call on believers to do? (3:1)

-What did Paul say about certain false teachers? (3:2)

-What autobiographical facts did Paul give? (3:4-6)

-Why did Paul view his former accomplishments as “rubbish”? (3:8)

-What was Paul’s status in Christ? (3:9)

-What longings did Paul admit to the Philippians? (3:10-11)

Get It

-Why did Paul repeat essential truths to the Philippians? (3:1)

-In what sense was Paul not boasting, even though he was calling attention to his accomplishments? (3:7-9)

-Why did Paul view his former accomplishments as “rubbish”? (3:8)

-What did Paul mean by “becoming like him in his death”?

Apply It

-What sorts of things tend to draw you away from Christ?

-What do you usually boast about?

-Why do we tend to base our worth as Christians on our performance?

-When you face struggles this week, how can you remember to rejoice rather than complain?

Philippians 3:12-4:1

Explore It

-In what ways did Paul’s spiritual life resemble the discipline of a runner? (3:12-14)

-What was Paul’s goal? (3:14)

-What did Paul hope for the believers who disagreed with him? (3:15)

-What was Paul’s plea to the Philippians? (3:16)

-How did Paul want believers to imitate him? (3:17)

-Where did the Philippian Christians have their citizenship? (3:20)

-What is Christ going to transform our bodies into? (3:21)

Get It

-Why did Paul emphasize forgetting what is behind and straining ahead? What does this say about the Christian life?

-What does it mean to live up to what we have already attained as a Christian?

-Why does Paul remind us about the future we have in front of us in heaven? (3:20-21)

Apply It

-In what way can you renew your commitment to press on toward the goal of being like Christ?

Philippians 4:2-9

Explore It

-How did Paul feel toward the Philippian congregation? (4:1)

-What did Paul exhort the Philippian believers to do? (4:1)

-How had Euodia and Syntyche helped Paul in the past? (4:3)

-What did Paul encourage his readers to do? (4:4)

-How did Paul tell the Philippian Christians to treat others? (4:5)

-What were the Philippians to do instead of worrying? (4:6-7)

-What did Paul say about anxiety? (4:6-7)

-How can a believer enjoy the peace of God? (4:6-7)

-What are the qualities of wholesome thoughts? (4:8)

-What were the Philippians to put into practice? (4:9)

Get It

-Why did Paul plead with Euodia and Syntyche? (4:2)

-How should an awareness of Christ’s imminent return affect a person’s attitude? (4:5-7)

-Why do you think that Paul said we should think about such things found in verse 8?

Apply It

-What can you do today to reduce your level of anxiety?

-How can you be an effective peacemaker this week?

-If you were more thankful, joyful, and gentle, how might your family and friends be affected?

Philippians 4:10-23

Explore It

-What lesson had Paul learned about contentment? (4:10-13)

-Why could Paul handle any kind of circumstance? (4:13)

-How did Paul feel toward the Philippian believers? Why? (4:14)

-How had the Philippians supported Paul in the past? (4:15-16)

-How did Paul respond to the Philippians’ generosity? (4:18-19)

-How would God reciprocate the believers’ generosity? (4:19)

-To what did Paul give prominence in closing his letter? (4:23)

Get It

-Why could Paul handle any kind of circumstance? (4:13)

-How could Paul be so flexible in his approach to life’s circumstances?

Apply It

-What can you learn from Paul about being content?

-What can you do to develop an attitude of contentment in all circumstances?

-This week, what can you do to help a Christian who needs financial support?