Philippians 1 (NRSVue)
27 Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel 28 and in no way frightened by those opposing you. For them, this is evidence of their destruction but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. 29 For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ but of suffering for him as well, 30 since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Carrying the gospel is never easy, but it is always fruitful.
Here are some questions for discussion:
- Pastor Trey mentions the difference in simply claiming a belief in Christ and being willing to struggle for it and he compares that to the idea of gyms making their profit off members that aren’t in the gym working out. How do we often find ourselves members that aren’t struggling?
- What does the difference between being active and actual meaningful growth look like in your life?
If you’d like to dig a little deeper, consider the following:
- Like a gym workout building back better and stronger, in what manner have you (or could you still) exercised a part of your “body” to tear it down and rebuild that structure and system you had been running on stronger?
- What steps did you continue to maintain these gains and ensure you didn’t atrophy back to a weaker state?
- What do we have to do to change our patterns and habits, to get ourselves into the gym as it were?
- In Philippians 1:29 the word “suffering” comes from the Greek verb πάσχειν (paschein) which translates to affliction, pain, and suffering but it also is the root for passion. Some newer translations even choose to use the word “privilege” in place of “suffering.” How does the dual meaning of this contronym used in the text help define what it means to be a faithful believer?
For further contemplation, consider these prompts:
- What does the difference between being active and actual meaningful growth look like in your life? How do you check yourself to know the difference?
- What do we have to do to change our patterns and habits, to get ourselves into the gym as it were?