Philippians: 1:19-30
Opener
If your closest friends were to describe your life in one word, what do you think they’d say?
Read Philippians 1:19–26
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
Discuss
What situation is Paul in as he writes this?
Why can Paul say that death would be gain?
How does Paul’s perspective on life and death show what he treasures most?
In verses 24–26, what reasons does Paul give for wanting to remain alive? How does this differ from what may come to your mind as a reason to remain alive?
What do you find most striking or confronting about Paul’s outlook?
Read Philippians 1:27–30
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy[h] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Discuss
What does Paul mean by “living worthy of the gospel”?
What images or phrases stand out to you in verses 27–30?
What might “striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” look like in our context today?
Why do you think Paul connects “believing in Christ” with “suffering for his sake”?
Do you think of yourself as being engaged in a conflict?
Apply
Read the following quote from John Piper:
I drift into a peacetime mind-set as certainly as rain falls down and flames go up. I am wired by nature to love the same toys that the world loves. I start to fit in. I start to love what others love. I start to call earth “home.” Before you know it, I am calling luxuries “needs” and using my money just the way unbelievers do. I begin to forget the war. I don’t think much about people perishing. Missions and unreached peoples drop out of my mind. I stop dreaming about the triumphs of grace. I sink into a secular mind-set that looks first to what man can do, not what God can do. It is a terrible sickness.
Where do you see yourself drifting toward a peacetime mindset — loving comfort, approval, or ease more than Christ’s mission?
What might a more single-minded devotion to Christ look like in your own life?
How could “to live is Christ” shape the way you view:
Family – the way you love, lead, or prioritise at home
Work – your motivation, ambition, or integrity in your job
Suffering and loss of comfort – how you respond to hardship or loss
Pray
Thank God that in Jesus, both life and death are gain.
Ask for courage and clarity to live single-mindedly for Christ — in family, work, and mission.
Pray that we would be a community standing firm and striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.