Small Group/Interact Questions Read Philippians 3:1-14. How does our effort fit with what God has already accomplished in our lives through Jesus Christ? Could you ask someone to follow your example as Paul does in v. 17? Describe the kind of person who is an “enemy of Christ.” In verse 19 Paul lists four characteristics of one who is an enemy of Christ. What are they? What does each of these statements mean? What does it mean to be a […]

Small Group/Interact Questions It’s been said that no one’s favorite verse is found in this passage. Why do you think something so “mundane” is included in the Bible? How does this passage fit into the overall flow of the letter to the Philippians? Who was Timothy? See Acts 16:1-5; 1 Cor. 4:14-17; 1 Tim 1:1-3, 18-19; 1 Tim 4:15-16; 2 Tim 1:1-5. Epaphroditus is mentioned only in Philippians. What can we learn of him from these few verses? Whose role […]

Small Group/Interact Questions How do you “work out your salvation” if being saved is an act of God’s grace alone? Why “fear and trembling?” Fear of what? How does verse 13 help you answer question #1? Does keeping the command of verse 14 guarantee verse 15? Why or why not? What is Paul boasting of in verse 16? To be “poured out like a drink offering” means to give one’s life for the cause of Christ. Paul is actually rejoicing […]

Small Group/Interact Questions How do verses 1-4 continue the train of thought from Philippians 1:27-30? How are the Philippians able to “complete” Paul’s joy? How does this idea translate into our lives today? Can we “complete” each other’s joy by living a certain way? Are verses 3-4 saying we can’t have ANY interest in our own well-being? In verses 5-7 we are commanded to follow the example of Jesus. Is this even possible? How do we follow this example with […]

Small Group/Interact Questions What is the apostle Paul’s current situation (vv. 13-14)? How does he feel about it (v. 12)? Verses 15-18 give the indication that some Christians have questionable motives for following Christ and being part of the church. How does Paul feel about this? In verses 19-20, what explanation does Paul give for “continually rejoicing?” In verses 21-26 Paul states very plainly what he lives for. What are the goals and desires you have in your life? Is […]

Small Group/Interact Questions Imagine this story being told from the perspective of all the different eyewitnesses. List the different people in attendance, and talk about what each of their perspectives may have been. In ancient Israel, the paralyzed man’s condition would have been connected to a spiritual problem. Maybe it was disobedience God, or a grievous sin committed by the person or his family. Why is this information important to the story? When Jesus encountered the man, what was the […]

Small Group/Interact Questions The context of Psalm 51 can be found in 2 Samuel 11 & 12. Why did King David write this Psalm? What does it mean for God to have mercy on us? What does it look like for you to extend that same mercy to others? God’s mercy is “according to” or “on account of” what? What does David ask God to do for him? In verse 4, David says that God is the only one he’s […]

Small Group/Interact Questions (January 14) Micah 6:8 says God requires three things of those who follow Him. What are they, and which one is the most difficult for you to do? What does it mean to “walk justly?” What are practical ways to treat others with justice? Give an example of treating someone “unjustly.” Mercy is described as not receiving what we deserve? How does God exhibit that in our lives? How do we “love mercy” in respect to others? […]

Small Group/Interact Questions 1. Verse 26 says, “Let us make man in our image.” Who else besides God had a part in making mankind? (Hint – look at Genesis 1:2 and Colossians 1:15-16) What implications does this have? 2. What responsibility do humans have in the world? 3. Read verse 27. If God is a spirit (in other words, He doesn’t have a body), in what ways are we like Him? 4. Murder is the ultimate disregard of the image […]