Philippians: 2:12-18

Read Philippians 2:12-18

 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”[a] Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Discuss

  1. How would you explain the difference between working out your salvation and working for your salvation?

  2. How does verse 13: “for it is God who works in you…” protect us from turning “work out your salvation” into legalism or anxious Christianity?

  3. What is one area of christian growth that you tend to look to your own efforts rather than God’s grace?

  4. Why would Paul point out “grumbling” or “disputing” specifically? How do these things harm the church and the soul?

  5. How are the Philippians supposed to be different to the world around them?

  6. Where do you personally feel pressure to conform to or seek approval from the world rather than be a light in a “crooked and twisted generation”?

  7. What does it look like to “hold firmly to the word of life” amid distraction, busyness, crisis, or disappointment?

  8. Paul’s eternal perspective helps him clarify what things will not turn out to have been ‘in vain’. What things in this life do you worry about alot now, that will in light of eternity seem small?

  9. Paul rejoices even when being poured out. How have you experienced sacrifice and joy being intermixed in the christian life?

Apply

  1. Think of a situation where you are tempted to compromise your distinctiveness as a Christian. What would it look like to remain faithful without becoming self-righteous?

  2. What is one place where God is calling you to serve or sacrifice with joy, even if it feels like being “poured out”?

Pray