L~on 1 : Phliippians
I. Icebreaker:
Share about a letter that you have received that meant a lot to you and why.
(I read a letter from my Dad and one from Rachel.)
II. Bridge:
That is what most ofthe New Testament is. Ajç~t~ to you and to the
Philippians. What is the message to us?
III. Philippians:
A. Reasons to study
I . It reveals the secret of true happiness.
2. It reveals the man who learned the secret.
3. It reveals the Christ who taught him the secret.
B. Background:
1. Acts 16:12 ~ Read around the room - stop and explain.
How did the Church (defme) begin with and who?
a. Lydia (women were important in Philippi.)
b. slave girl
c. jailer
2. Where did Paul write this? From prison during Nero’s time. It is
ironic because it is all about joy, love, and gratitude.
3. Tell about Philippi (Life Application Bible) use notes in Life
Application Bible.
Read Phil 1: 1-3
Salutation
IV. What is one thing God said to you.
What is an application for you.
V. Pray
Lesson. 2: Philippians
I. Icebreaker - When you want to give up what or wh~ encourages you the
most?
II. Bridge
This section tells about how Paul was encouraged while he was imprisoned
III. Philippians
A. Review from last week briefly.
1 . history
2. why study?
3 . letter (choosing to be bond servant.) A bond servant was one who
chose to stay and serve.
B. Verses: Phiuippians 1 : 3-5
Paul thanks God for them.
He prays withjoy because oftheir partnership even though they are far
away. Why?
1 . They are in the same family (God’ s family) same father and
brothers and sisters. Examples ofthis: common father, common
sibling, common cause. D.C. Plunge, work crew, campaigners.
2. Same purpose in life as believers in Jesus - What is our purpose?
*you are partners with your Young Life leaders in our common
purpose to share the good news with others at your school.
(Examples: How can we be partners?
C. Phiuippians 1:6. Read verse. Read notes in Application Bible.
Ps. 37:24 & 25.
We may fall in the race but we are not fmished (cx. Chariots of Fire -
falling but getting up, back in the race.)
Read The Race poem.
D. Phiuippians 1:7-11
1. Paul has real feelings He misses his friends. He struggle4. As
Christians we will struggle.
We can handle hardships differently because we have hpp~ (read
Romans 8:28, Romans 15:13.)
2. God’s love is not just a feeling.
It can help us discern what is best. What, is the pyi~g~t~g tp~dp?
(Not what feels good necessarily.)
III. Conclusion:
A. What one verse or thought will you remember and focus on this week?
B. What is a personal application for you?
C. Pray for person on the right.
TIlE RACE
by D.H. Groberg
“Quit! Give up! You’re beaten! “ They shout at me and plead.
“There’s just too much against you now. This time you can’t succeed!”
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face,
My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene;
. For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children’s race - young boys, young men. How I remember well.
Excitement, sure! But also fear it wasn’t hard to tell.
They all lined up so full ofhope; each thought to win that race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from offthe side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.
The whistle blew and offthey went! Young hearts and hopes afire,
To win and be the hero there was each young boys desire.
And one boy in particular whose dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the lead and thought, “My dad will be so proud!”
But as they speeded down the field, across a shallow dip,
The little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace,
And mid the laughter of the crowd, he fell flat on his face.
So down he fell and with him hope, he couldn’t win it now -
Embarrassed, sad, he only ~shed to disappear somehow.
But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
Which to the boy so clearly said: “Get up and win the race.”
He quickly rose, no damage done. Behind a bit, that’s all -
And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win -
His mind went faster than his legs; he slipped and fell again!
He wished then he had quit before with only one disgrace.
“rm hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”
But in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face.
That steady look which said again: “Get up and win the race!”
So up he jumped to try again, ten yards behind the last -
“If Fm to gain those yards,” he thought, “rye got to move real fast.”
Exerting everything he had, he gained eight or ten,
But trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again!
Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye -
“There’s no sense running any more; three strikes: Fm out! Why try?”
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away;
So far behind, so error prone; a loser all the way.
“rye lost, so what’s the use,” he thought. “P11 live with my disgrace.”
But then he thought about his dad who soon he’d have to face.
“Get up,” an echo sounded low. “Get up and take your place;
You were not meant for failure here. Get up and win the race.”
“With borrowed will, get up,” it said. “You haven’t lost at all,
For winning is no more than this: to rise each time you fall.”
So up he rose to run once more, and with a new commit,
He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been -
Still he gave it all he had, and ran as though to win.
Three times he’d fallen, stumbling; three times he rose again,
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.
They cheered the winning runner as he crossed the line first place,
Head high, and proud, and happy; no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer for fmishing the race.
And even though he came in last, with head bowed low, unproud,
You would have thought he’d won the race to listen to the crowd.
And to his dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me, you won,” his father said. “You rose each time you fell.”
ifi
And now when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win, is rise each time you fall.
“Quit! Give up! You’re beaten!” they still shout in my face.
But another voice within me says: “GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!”
Read these verses: Philippians 3 : 1 2- 1 4, Philippians 4: 1 2- 1 4, Hebrews 1 2: 1-2
When are some times when you have “fallen down”?
How are you going to keep “running the race” back home?
Ask God to keep you focused on Him even when you fall as you run your race at home.
Lesson 3: Phiuippians
I. Icebreaker - Share an experience that seemed really bad at first - but turned
out good (or at least something good came from it.)
II. Bridge - God is all about this is our lives. This is expressed in this section of
Philippians.
III. Philippians
A. Review from last week.
1 . verse 1 :6 He won’t give up on us -
He is still at work.
2. Love (not just a feeling, it helps you discern what is best.)
Did we do the loving thing this week?
3. Report on anything that we tried from last week in our application.
B . Read Phiuippians I : I 2-14
1 . Paul sees the good coming out ofhis imprisonment. What?
The guards hearing and coming to Christ. Paul has a captive
audience. Other believers have been encouraged.
2. Read life application on these verses. Have you ever been
encouraged by watching someone else handle a difficult situation?
Do you think that you have encouraged anyone?
3 . Read Romans 8:28 and 37.
C. Read 1: 15-18.
I . Some people preach and “do good” for totally wrong motives. What
could some ofthose motives be? (Material gain, reputation, to
compete with someone else.)
2. Paul believes God will use this anyway - (sometimes God uses us for
good even when our motives are wrong.)
Ex. Ofmy preacher in high school and our minister last year (God
used them even when things in their life were not in order.)
3. Read Is. 40:8 and Is. 55:11.
D. Read 1: 19 and 20.
1. Paul believes in prayer and it’s power. Do we believe it makes a
difference? Share examples.
2. ReadJames4:2&3. Johnl4:12-14.
Share some examples of answered prayers and times you have labored
in prayer.
3. Picture your prayer as being answered. Picture putting your trouble
into God’s hands.
IV. Share application and what you are going to do and think about this week.
V. PRAY
Lesson 4: Philippians
I. Icebreaker
What is something that you want to gain this year?
II. Bridge
What Paul considers to be a gain for him is very different than we can
imagine - Let’ s see
III. Body
A. Review - What do we remember from last week?
1 . Others can be encouraged as they watch us handle a difficult
situation (we can be encouraged by others.)
2. God can bring eternal good out ofdifficult circumstances.
3 . Prayer makes a difference!
B . Read Philippians 1 :21-26.
1 . What does “For me to live in Christ, to die is gain” mean?
2. Paul has a big purpose in life and he is not scared ofdeath. Are we?
3. Read *Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 14 & 15, I Thess. 4:13-18, I
Corinthians 15:51-58.
C. Read Philippians 27 &28.
1 . Live like God’ s child no matter who you are around. Don’t be a
chameleon and change colors according to which group you are with.
2. Who might oppose you and why?
Give examples from your life.
We do not have to fear - John 16:33.
D. Read Philippians 29 & 30.
1 . A privilege to suffer for Jesus - How can it be? (Because of all Jesus
has done for us.)
What kind of suffering could we have to face? (Example: of being a
lifeguard and overhearing other guards talking about me. Family
members leaving us out of things.
2. Read I Peter 4:3-5 and *IlCorinthians 4:17 & 18 - Awesome!
How can we do this?
IV. Conclusion
A. What is one thing you will take home with you?
B. What is one action step or application for your life that you can take?
C. PRAY
Lesson 5 : Philippians
Beginning Philippians 2
I. Icebreaker
What is one thing (one benefit) of being a part of your family? What is one
benefit that you have because you are a member of God’ s family? (That
you have seen since you asked Christ into your life.)
II. Bridge In Chapter 2
Paul knows these benefits are there so he says since they are there then...
Quick Review:
-Don’t be a chameleon ( a lizard who changes colors with his surroundings.)
-Do not fear
-Privilege to suffer for Jesus (*Hebrews 12:3.)
III. Read Philippians 2:1-4
A. Verse 1 - since we do have encouragement, comfort, fellowship,
tenderness (we shared some ofthese verses in our ice breaker)
II Peter 1:3-4
B. Verse 2 - Paul has joy because it is not determined by circumstances or
people) but our joy can be more full and complete when encouraged by
others. For example: My joy overflows when I see you all really being
my partner in the gospel. Give examples (Megan picking up exchange
student, seniors caring for freshmen, etc.) We are to be like minded,
same love, united in spirit and purpose. Does this mean that we have to
be all alike - carbon copies of each other? NO ! Use example of folks at
Young Life Institute (old, young, single, married, black, Hispanic, white,
handicapped, surfer, jock, nun, southern belle, tomboy, basketball
player, intellectual, etc.) but one common love, goal, spirit and purpose.
Read *I Corinthians 12:11 & 12.
C. Verse 3 & 4. What are motives for what we do? We have to consider
our own interest - but also the interest of others. Foe example: in our
staff meeting - not just wanting the best for Grimsley Young Life - but
also what is best for Western, for Urban Kids, etc.)
IV. Read Philippians 2:5-11 The incarnation! (God becoming man)
A. He kept all the Godly attributes (His nature)
He gave up godly powers (taking nature of servant human likeness)
B. *Then (after His obedient sacrifice for us!) God exalted him. So we are
to leave the exalting to God. I Peter 5:6 &7, Romans 12: 17-2 1.
C. End purpose - that others would know Jesus.
How can our attitude be like Jesus’?
V. Conclusion
A. What one principle, verse, thought to remember and meditation?
B. Whatamltodo?
C. LET”S PRAY
Lesson 6: Philippians
I. Icebreaker
Think of a goal you had for yourself (diet, making a certain grade, making
new friends, having quiet times, etc.) that you were able to accomplish. What
caused you to be successful?
II. Bridge
A. Let’ S talk today about how we can become who we were made to be and
to accomplish what we were made (created) to accomplish.
B. Review from last week.
III. Body: Philippians 2: 12 & 13
A. 12 & 13 They were not chameleons - but “worked out” their salvation
whether Paul was there or not. Why with “fear and trembling?”
Because it matters - The only person that we should (fear) be in awe of is
God. (Idea ofreverence, respect - never wanting to let Him down.) God
~y.ffl hçjp you want to obey and then give you the power to do so.
*Read life application for verse 13.
II Timothy 4:7
John 14:21
God is always at work. Join Hii~J He never gives up. II Cor. 10:13
B. Read 14 16
1 . Whoa! - What a convicting verse! How could this be possible to do?
In what situation do you fmd you complain the most? How can you
turn this around?
2. Why would you try not to complain? Verse 15. So that you will be
pure; and blameless. God’s children are a reflection ofyour Heavenly
Father.
So that you can shine like a star in the darkness. (You will be so
different than those around you.)
II Corinthians 3 :18, Col. 1 :22, I Thess. 3 : 1 3, and *Matthew 5:16.
Are others drawn to the Jesus difference in you? Are you alight at
your school? Use examples here of people you know that have been
lights.
3 . Hold out the ward of life. You have the secret to life in you! Do
others recogni~e it? (Example ofMike Schultz and noticing Christ in
campaigners and reading the Bible.)
4. Verse 1 6 - 1 8 . When you labor for the Lord it is never in vain. I
Corinthians 15:58.
C. Read 19-29. What was special about Timothy and Epaphroditus?
How did Paul feel about them? What did Paul ask the Philippians to do
for these men?
IV. Conclusion
A. What one thought or verse will you choose to meditate and take home with
you?
B. What can you apply to your life this week?
C. PRAY!
Lesson 7.: ~ Philippians
I. Icebreaker:
What is an accomplishment (ofyours) that you are proud of? Is there
anything (or anyone) in your family history that you are proud of?
IL Transition:
Paul talks about what he has always (in the past) been confident ofand why
that has changed.
Quick Review 1st:
1 . How has the no arguing and complaining gone this week?
2. Have you been able to shine like a star at your school? Where or how
have you seen Christ in each other?
III. Philippians 3: 140
A. Verse 1 : Paul repeats what he thinks is important - it is a safeguard to
us. He repeats “Rejoice inthe Lord.” (Not in circumstances.)
Nehemiah 8:10. John 16:33.
B. Verse 2 & 3: Read Life Application excerpts. Explain about what
would divide and destroy the body. There are essential things and
differences that should not divide us (like view on baptism, certain foods,
etc. - lesser things.) Put no confidence in the flesh. What does that
mean? What do people put their confidence in? Looks, money,
background, talents, friends, church, or Young Life involvement - Those
things are shaky foundation on shifting sand.
C. Verse 4 -6: Paul had tons ofreasons “in the flesh” to boast. He had
awesome credentials.
In Acts tell about Paul before he met Christ and how he met Christ.
D. Verse 7 - 8: Compared to knowing Christ - AlIthat is worth nothing to
Me! IfI give up anything, it will be more than worth it, Often the things
we give up would be hurting us anyway. Give examples
Does anybody have an example of something they gave up for Christ?
How did it turn out?
Mark 8:36: Use example ofJoni Erikson (she would not trade her life
and why.... Give examples ofGoose: all the children ofBermuda were
his children.
E. Verse 9: Righteousness that comes by faith
Gift of God
II Cor. 5:21
F. Verse 10: Read both Life Applications excerpts
To Know Christ:
1 . Power ofResurr~ction - song - He’s Alive
2. fellowship of suffering - Ex. - ofKristen calling with broken heart in
ministry - rejection
Share from Living Beyond Yourself
G. Verse 1 1 : We will be exalted in him
Galations 5: 22 & 23.
IV. Conclusion:
A. Sum up
Ask them - What did we say tonight? What will you remember?
1 . Rejoice in the Lord
2. Have confidence in knowing Him (in His righteousness) not in the flesh
or in trying to be a good person
3. Knowing Christ is far better than anything else
4. Knowing Christ power ofChrist — both eyes