Philippians : Run the Race

by Bill Hybels with Kevin and Sherry Harney

• ISBN13: 9780310233145
• ISBN10: 0310233143
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1999-10-01
• Publisher: Zondervan

Summary

Life as a follower of Christ is not a fifty-yard dash. It's a marathon. God offers strength for the race, cold water to quench our thirst, and fresh legs when we grow weary. We never run alone. He is always right beside us cheering us on or ahead of us leading the way. Do you need energy and refreshment for the race of life? In Philippians, you will find all you need to run with strength and confidence. If you desire joy beyond measure, perseverance, a servant's heart, hope for the future, a peace beyond understanding, and lasting contentment, look no further than Philippians. New Community Series -- a high-impact tool for experiencing the transforming power of God's Word. This cutting-edge series lets you explore life-changing topics from a biblical perspective in community with others in your small group. Challenging questions encourage you to reflect on Scripture and its impact on your life, both as an individual and as part of a community of Christ followers.

Table of Contents

New Community Bible Study Series	p. 6
Introduction	p. 11
Joy in Community-Philippians 1:1-11	p. 15
Strength in Suffering-Philippians 1:12-30	p. 23
Humility in Service-Philippians 2:1-30	p. 31
Hope for the Future-Philippians 3:1-4:1	p. 39
Peace Through Prayer-Philippians 4:2-9	p. 48
Contentment in All Things- Philippians 4:10-23	p. 58
Leader's Notes	p. 67
Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

S E S S I O N O N E
Joy in Community
PHILIPPIANS 1:1–11
Over my years as a follower of Christ I have grown to put a
great deal of importance on what I call “leadings from God.”
These spiritual leadings happen when you are in tune with the
Holy Spirit and are fully devoted to Christ. These leadings
come when you are growing in the Word, prayer, and fellowship.
To hear God’s still, small voice, you need to create a quiet
center in your life that makes a place for Him. Through these
leadings you gain guidance and direction from God.
These leadings are rarely audible. I have never had a leading
from God that I have heard with my ears. I refer to them
more as impressions on my spirit. When I journal, pray, and
seek God, He will sometimes impress an individual’s name on
my mind. Then I know I need to give that person a call or send
a note of encouragement. Or there might be some facet of my
own growth as a follower of Christ that is out of balance. God,
by a quiet leading of His Holy Spirit, will bring it to my attention
and call me to confession and a changed life.
I remember a day I was walking to my office and had a very
clear leading from God. I was in a hurry and had no intention
of stopping to talk with anyone. On the way to my office I
walked past more than a dozen doors that led to the offices of
many of our staff members. As I walked by one particular door
I had a strong prompting from God to stop and give a particular
staff member a word of encouragement. He was offering
strong and Christ-honoring leadership during a challenging
time in his ministry, and I felt a deep need to drop in and affirm
his gifts and effectiveness as a leader.
At that moment, for me to have walked by and not stopped
would have been an act of disobedience. So I stopped, talked
with him for about five or ten minutes, and then headed to my
office to get to work. When I got to my office, my intercom line
was ringing. I picked it up to discover it was the same staff
member I had just left. He said, “You have no idea how important
that few minutes and your words of affirmation were to
me. I have been thinking and praying about my own leadership,
and I have been facing some real challenges. You said
exactly what I needed to hear at exactly the right time.”
After we finished our conversation, I sat there amazed that
God would use me in such a clear and wonderful way. This
brother needed a word of encouragement, and God chose to
use me in the process.
The sad truth is, too often I miss those opportunities. I get
leadings, but I am too busy or distracted to act on them. But
what a joy to know that when I tune in and am responsive,
God can give me leadings that will bring honor to His name
and uplift others.
Making the Connection
1. Describe a time God gave you a leading that you followed.
What happened when you were obedient to His prompting?
Did you ever receive a leading but you were too busy or distracted
to respond. How did you feel when you realized you
missed a divine prompting?
The Power of Prayer
Prayer is such an important power. In the concentration camp, seven
hundred of us lived in a room built for two hundred people.We were all
dirty, nervous and tense. One day a horrible fight broke out amongst the
prisoners. Betsie began to pray aloud. It was as if a storm laid down, until
at last all was quiet. Then Betsie said, “Thank you, Father.” A tired old
woman was used by the Lord to save the situation for seven hundred fellow
prisoners through her prayers.
There may be days of darkness and distress,
When sin has power to tempt, and care to press.
Yet in the darkest day I will not fear,
For ’midst the shadows,You will still be near.
Thank You Lord Jesus.
—Corrie ten Boom, Each New Day (Revell, 1977)
Knowing and Being Known
Read Philippians 1:3–6
2. What is the spirit of Paul’s prayer for the followers of Christ
at the church in Philippi?
What are some of the specific thanks and petitions Paul lifts
up in prayer for the Philippian Christians?
3. How can the spirit and content of Paul’s prayer influence
your prayer life?
4. Paul was certain that the work God had begun in the lives
of the Philippian Christians would come to completion
(grow to maturity). What is a work God is doing in you
that you long to see come to completion?
How can your small group members pray for you, encourage
you, and keep you accountable as you grow in this specific
area of your life?
Read Philippians 1:7–8
5. In your own words, how would you describe Paul’s feelings
for the Christ followers in the church at Philippi?
6. Tell about a fellow follower of Christ whom you love
deeply and “carry in your heart.” How has this person
enriched your life?
7. Paul was in jail and could not freely visit or communicate
with his friends. If you knew that you were going to be
imprisoned tomorrow for your faith and not see your small
group members for a full year, what would you want to tell
them before the police came to take you away?
The Value of Relationships
A relationship. It has more power than any nuclear bomb and more
potential than any promising seed. . . .What matters most in life is not the
ladders we climb or what ownings we accumulate.What matters most is
a relationship.
What steps are you taking to protect your “possessions”? What measure
are you using to ensure that your relationships are strong and
healthy? What are you doing to solidify the bridges between you and
those in your world? . . .
Many wealthy people have died paupers because they gave their lives
to things and not to people. And many paupers have left this earth in
contentment because they loved their neighbors.
—Max Lucado, On the Anvil (Tyndale, 1985)
Read Philippians 1:9–11
8. What specific requests did Paul lift up for the followers of
Christ at Philippi?
Choose one of the requests Paul lifted up and express why you
think it is still important for Christ followers to pray this way
for each other.

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Excerpted from Philippians: Run the Race by Bill Hybels
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