INTERACTIVE TEACHING/LEARNING GUIDE
Contentment for Life
Philippians
Week 8
Session Title: External Outlook
Focal Passage: Philippians 3:15-21
Central Teaching/Learning Aim: In today’s lesson learners will examine the example that Paul has left for us and be challenged to follow his example.
I. Hook
A. I’m With Stupid
Share with your class a picture of a t-shirt with the familiar “I’m with stupid” wording and an arrow pointing to the left or right.
Ask – Have you seen a t-shirt like this one before? What is the obvious message? What does it say about the person wearing the t-shirt?
Share with your class the memorable proverb, “Birds of a feather flock together.”
State – There is a similar proverb that says, “Eagles and pigeons don’t hang out together.”
Ask – What is the meaning of these proverbs?
Read (Proverbs 13:20).
Ask – What does this verse have to say to the person who wears an “I’m with stupid” t-shirt? What does it have to say about “birds of a feather?”
State – In our Bible study today we will hear Paul say that he is willing to give away everything in order to know Christ Jesus.
B. Optional Method – Share following excerpt from The Conversation:
The Imitation Game – Can Newborn Babies Mimic Their Parents?
Imitation is a key part of the way humans learn. We can pick up new skills by observing others: how to tie shoelaces or hold a pencil in school, how to hit a tennis serve or swing a putter down at the country club, or how to hunt and fish when left to fend in the wilderness. Throughout human history, the capacity to learn through imitation may have helped our species thrive.
A recent study published inCurrent Biology,psychologist Janine Oostenbroek and colleagues describe the most rigorous, systematic test of newborns' imitation reported to date. Their results provide decisive evidence against the idea that newborns are born with the ability to imitate.
The researchers exposed 106 infants, each in their first week of life, to a wide range of actions made by adults such as mouth opening, happy and sad expressions, or the extension of an index finger. Across all the actions, the researchers found no evidence that infants produced matching actions more often than non-matching ones. Once again, infants did stick out their tongues when they saw an adult doing so, but they did so at a similar rate when observing an opening mouth or a sad face, highlighting how easy it is to mistake this behavior for imitation.
Rather than being born with an innate ability to imitate, it therefore appears that human infants actually learn to imitate.
Staff, “The Imitation Game – Can Newborn Babies Mimic Their Parents?” The Conversation, July 5, 2016.
Ask – What are some ways in which you and I learn by imitation?
State – In our lesson today Paul says tells the Philippian believers “imitate me.”
C. Optional Method – Catch Me If You Can
Start: 00:18:55
Stop: 00:21:51
Synopsis: Catch Me If You Can was inspired by the extraordinary true story of a brilliant young master of deception, Frank Abagnale, Jr. Abagnale successfully passes himself off as a pilot, a lawyer and a doctor all before his 21st birthday.
In this scene, 16-year-old Frank has been enrolled in a new school. On his first day he assumed the role of a substitute teacher in a French class.
Catch Me If You Can (DreamWorks Home Entertainment, 2002), produced and directed by Stephen Spielberg.
Ask – How do you think 16-year-old Frank Abagnale was able to successfully imitate a teacher?
State – Today Paul tells the believers at Philippi “watch me and follow my example.”
II. Book
A. Write the following outline of today’s lesson on the marker board:
Follow Christ-Like Examples
1. Practice what you’ve learned (vs. 15-16)
2. Follow my example (v. 17)
3. Avoid practices of enemies of the cross (vs 18-19)
4. Live as citizens of Heaven (vs. 20-21)
B. Utilize the discussion guide to examine the Scripture passages.
C. Prior to the session enlist someone in your class to do some research on antinomianism. Allow your volunteer two to three minutes to share what they have discovered as you are discussing verses 18-19.
III. Look
A. Provide each member of your class with a copy of the “A Eulogy for the Apostle Paul” handout. Work through the handout together.
IV. Took
A. The Imitation Game
Remind your class of the excerpt that we talked about at the beginning of the session about babies learning to imitate their parents. Share the last statement in the article that says, “Rather than being born with an innate ability to imitate, it therefore appears that human infants actually learn to imitate.”
Ask – If you and I decided to follow the example of a mature believer what practical steps would we need to take? (FOR THE TEACHER: Answers might include things like deciding who that example might be, talking to the person about your plan, establishing an accountability relationship with the person, finding times to meet and talk with your mentor about your pilgrimage toward personal holiness, watching how our example lives, etc.)
State – Let’s think right now about that mature believer who will become our example. Let’s also think about who might be looking to us as an example to follow. Are you willing right now to follow the example of a mature believer? Are you willing to serve as an example for someone else?
Read (Proverbs 27:17).
Close in prayer, asking God to help us to follow godly examples and be godly examples.
B. Optional Method – “You Aren’t From Around Here, Are You?”
Share the following story:
I have a friend who lives in Texas but grew up in Alabama. He has a very distinctive rural Alabama accent. Often, people say to my friend, “I know you are not from around here. Where are you from?” Sometimes when my friend meets someone new he says, “I’m not from Texas. I know you can’t tell that.”
State – Today Paul has reminded us that “we’re not from around here.” We are citizens of heaven.
Ask – Can people listen to you talk and know that you are a citizen of heaven. Can they observe your actions and recognize that “you are not from around here?” What do you need to change to make it evident to others that your citizenship is elsewhere?
Close in prayer, asking that God remind us daily to live like citizens of Heaven.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Teacher Copy
1. Paul begins verse 15 by saying that mature believers should “take such a view of things.” Think about last week’s lesson. What is Paul saying?
2. What was Paul’s hope for the believers who disagreed with him? (Philippians 3:15)
[Paul hopes that if some believers don’t have the attitude that he has previously described, God will make it clear to them.]
3. What should be our “minimum standard?” (Philippians 3:16)
[Paul says that we should live up to that standard that we have already attained.]
4. What is Paul’s meaning?
W
5. What is Paul’s very first admonition in verse 17?
[Paul tells the believers to “join together.”]
6. After the believers have “joined together” what are they to do? (Philippians 3:17)
[The believers are to join together and follow the example of Paul.]
7. Who are other models for the believers in Philippi? (Philippians 3:17)
[Paul says the Philippian believers should watch other believers that live as Paul does.]
8. Have you ever told someone else to “Follow my example?” What requirements does that place on you? Who might be looking to you as a role model?
9. What fact has Paul shared often with the Philippian believers? (Philippians 3:18)
[Paul reminds them that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.]
10. Paul makes four statements about these enemies of the cross. What are they? (Philippians 3:19)
Paul says that these enemies of the cross:
1. Are destined for destruction.
2. Have made a god of their sensual desires.
3. They glory in things they should be ashamed of.
4. Their minds are set on earthly things.
11. Using Paul’s definition, who are enemies of the cross in our world today?
12. Where did the Philippian Christians have their citizenship? (Philippians 3:20)
[Paul reminds the Philippians that their citizenship is in Heaven.]
13. What will Jesus do for us? (Philippians 3:21)
[Jesus will bring everything under his control and will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body.]
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Student Copy
1. Paul begins verse 15 by saying that mature believers should “take such a view of things.” Think about last week’s lesson. What is Paul saying?
2. What was Paul’s hope for the believers who disagreed with him? (Philippians 3:15)
3. What should be our “minimum standard?” (Philippians 3:16)
4. What is Paul’s meaning?
W
5. What is Paul’s very first admonition in verse 17?
6. After the believers have “joined together” what are they to do? (Philippians 3:17)
7. Who are other models for the believers in Philippi? (Philippians 3:17)
8. Have you ever told someone else to “Follow my example?” What requirements does that place on you? Who might be looking to you as a role model?
9. What fact has Paul shared often with the Philippian believers? (Philippians 3:18)
10. Paul makes four statements about these enemies of the cross. What are they? (Philippians 3:19)
Paul says that these enemies of the cross:
1.
2.
3.
4.
11. Using Paul’s definition, who are enemies of the cross in our world today?
12. Where did the Philippian Christians have their citizenship? (Philippians 3:20)
13. What will Jesus do for us? (Philippians 3:21)
A Eulogy for the Apostle Paul
A eulogy is a speech or writing usually given at a funeral service that outlines the praiseworthy attitudes and actions of the deceased. A eulogy is given so that friends and family might remember the good example of their loved one. Today we will write a eulogy for Paul. Think about the things you know about Paul. List those things and write a eulogy for him. If you need some help with this project, consider the following passages of scripture:
· 1 Corinthians 13
· Romans 12:1-2
· Galatians 2:20
· 1 Corinthians 1:23
· 1 Corinthians 2:1-2
· Philippians 1:21
· Philippians 3:13-14
Which of these attitudes and actions need the most work in your life?
THEE WORD FOR THE WEEK
Anxiety Cure
Philippians 4:1-7
Monday: Read Philippians 4:1
· What does Paul mean by calling the church in Philippi his joy and crown? Have you invested in someone who encourages you in your faith?
· Paul tells them to ‘stand firm,’ how do we stand firm?
· When we stand firm we act as a shining example of Christ and those who have mentored us. Paul is thankful for the faith of those in Philippi. Whose joy and crown are you?
Tuesday: Read Philippians 4:2-3
· In a letter meant for the entire church in Philippi, Paul takes time to identify by name two ladies who are in the midst of conflict. Do we treat conflict within the church as seriously as Paul?
· What solution does Paul offer these ladies locked in conflict? Does agreeing in the Lord mean all believers have to be the same?
Wednesday: Read Philippians 4:4
· Go back and read Philippians 3:1. Choosing joy in every circumstance is a recurring theme in this letter.
· Why does Paul keep repeating the call to rejoice? Have you ever been encouraged in suffering by choosing to rejoice?
Thursday: Read Philippians 4:5-6
· What reason does Paul give for the church’s gentleness to be known by all? Do you live as if the Lord is at hand?
· As our access to information about the world around us grows so does our anxiety. What does Paul offer as an antidote to anxiety?
· What do you find most challenging about praying with an attitude of thankfulness? Why does praying about what worries us relieve our worries?
Friday: Read Philippians 4:7
· Paul promises the ‘peace of God’ to those who will trust God through prayer. Part of the promise of Christ’s return is perfect peace with no more suffering or conflict. Can you imagine a world of perfect peace?
· Paul says this restorative peace will guard both heart and mind. Where do you feel most anxious in your heart or in your mind? How might you better invite the ‘peace of God’ to guard you?
EXEGETICAL ~ THEOLOGICAL ~ PEDAGOGICAL
Note: Full sentence propositions have been employed in all outline statements for the sake of clarity. In the exegetical and theological sections, the subject portion of the proposition (answering the question, “What was the biblical author talking about?”) has been noted by the use of bold type and the complement portion of the proposition (answering the question, “What was the biblical author saying about what he is talking about?”) by the use of bold and underline.
(EXEGETICAL: What it meant to the Philippian Church back THEN)