Philippians 2
Rejoicing in service
•	For starters... What are the good things about belonging to a local church?  What are the difficult things?
•	Look over v.1.  Paul presumes that every Christian he’s writing to will have experienced these examples of God’s grace.  Which of these means the most to you in your life, and why?
•	vv.2-4: How are these characteristics of church life linked to the signs of God’s grace in v.1 and Christ’s example of humility in vv.5-8?  How do you think our life as a church compares with these characteristics?  
•	vv.5-11: Paul holds up Christ’s humility and obedience as examples for us to learn from.  Why do you think humility and obedience are so important in the Christian life?  Thinking of your own life right now, what limits are there to your obedience of God and dependence on him?
•	vv.12-13: How do these verses fit together in your own experience?  Where do you think ‘fear and trembling’ fits into the Christian life? 
•	vv.19-30: Think of Christians who have encouraged you in your life, either through the strength of their commitment to Christ (like Timothy) or through their dependence on God in the face of weakness (like Epaphroditus).  How have they influenced your thinking about the Christian life?  
•	Thank God for his work in their lives and ask God to work in our lives together as a church, ‘to will and to act according to his good purpose’.
Philippians 2
Rejoicing in service
•	For starters... What are the good things about belonging to a local church?  What are the difficult things?
•	Look over v.1.  Paul presumes that every Christian he’s writing to will have experienced these examples of God’s grace.  Which of these means the most to you in your life, and why?
•	vv.2-4: How are these characteristics of church life linked to the signs of God’s grace in v.1 and Christ’s example of humility in vv.5-8?  How do you think our life as a church compares with these characteristics?  
•	vv.5-11: Paul holds up Christ’s humility and obedience as examples for us to learn from.  Why do you think humility and obedience are so important in the Christian life?  Thinking of your own life right now, what limits are there to your obedience of God and dependence on him?
•	vv.12-13: How do these verses fit together in your own experience?  Where do you think ‘fear and trembling’ fits into the Christian life? 
•	vv.19-30: Think of Christians who have encouraged you in your life, either through the strength of their commitment to Christ (like Timothy) or through their dependence on God in the face of weakness (like Epaphroditus).  How have they influenced your thinking about the Christian life?  
•	Thank God for his work in their lives and ask God to work in our lives together as a church, ‘to will and to act according to his good purpose’.
Philippians 2
Rejoicing in service
•	For starters... What are the good things about belonging to a local church?  What are the difficult things?
•	Look over v.1.  Paul presumes that every Christian he’s writing to will have experienced these examples of God’s grace.  Which of these means the most to you in your life, and why?
•	vv.2-4: How are these characteristics of church life linked to the signs of God’s grace in v.1 and Christ’s example of humility in vv.5-8?  How do you think our life as a church compares with these characteristics?  
•	vv.5-11: Paul holds up Christ’s humility and obedience as examples for us to learn from.  Why do you think humility and obedience are so important in the Christian life?  Thinking of your own life right now, what limits are there to your obedience of God and dependence on him?
•	vv.12-13: How do these verses fit together in your own experience?  Where do you think ‘fear and trembling’ fits into the Christian life? 
•	vv.19-30: Think of Christians who have encouraged you in your life, either through the strength of their commitment to Christ (like Timothy) or through their dependence on God in the face of weakness (like Epaphroditus).  How have they influenced your thinking about the Christian life?  
•	Thank God for his work in their lives and ask God to work in our lives together as a church, ‘to will and to act according to his good purpose’.