If you missed Sunday's broadcast, please catch up by following the link below. (For the foreseeable future, we be running our Sunday morning services digitally. Please go to our website on Sundays at 10:30 to join in)
Yesterday, we began our devotionals in the book of Philippians. God has gifted us with His word so that we can have healthy relationships with God, within the church and with those in the wider community.
Today we continue with our brief consideration of the eight major themes that we find in the book of Philippians.
PRAY WITH JOY
‘I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.’ (Philippians 1:3-4)
Paul’s prayers throughout his letters are marked with joy and thanksgiving for God’s people. Even in situations where the church is seriously failing, he is thankful to God for them. For example, Paul opens his letter to the church in Corinth, a church that has members in serious sin, begins with,
‘I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.’ (1 Corinthians 1:4)
PARTNER
‘Because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.’ (Philippians 1:5)
‘Partnership’ reflects the Greek word ‘Koinonia’ often translated as ‘fellowship’. In a world that is marred by us and them attitudes, as we focus on Jesus, we partner with Him and with one another in loving support and a shared mission to make the gospel known.
RESPONSE
Do we have a lifestyle of prayer? Is our prayer rich in thanksgiving for our church, other churches, brothers and sisters in our lives…?
Are we in partnership? Are we supporting each other? Are we being good friends? Are we partnering as we each give financially, according to our means, to the work of the church? Are we partnering through sharing our faith with our community?
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY – GOD'S HOLY PEOPLE IN CHRIST JESUS
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News
Particularly, talk about our upcoming online Alpha Course.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
We all have to make various choices each day. What do you find it hardest to make choices about and why?
Introduction - please share in your group
This week we began a series in the book of Philippians. The bible is always relevant and I particularly want you to notice that in these trying times of lock down and racial tension, Philippians speaks into both of these contexts.
Please use the devotionals each day for fuller consideration on the themes of this book, but today I want to think about the words of Paul in Philippians 1:1,
'Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons'
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