• Read Philippians 1:1-18

    In verses 1 and 2. Paul and Timothy introduce themselves as the writers, and they are writing to the Christians in Philippi. After that, Paul and Timothy give thanks to God for the Christians in Philippi. They also write a prayer that the Philippian church would grow in love, knowledge, and discernment among many other things.

    In verses 12 through 18, Paul writes a little bit about his imprisonment. He says that he rejoices at the ways that God has used it to advance the gospel. He says that many have been encouraged by his faith and have become "more bold to speak the word without fear.” Because of that, he rejoices.

    • Do I regularly thank God for the other Christians in my life?

    • Do I pray for them to grow in their faith?

    • Do I look at the inconvenient situations in my life as an opportunity for God to advance the gospel message?

  • Read Philippians 1:19-30

    In verses 19 through 30, Paul makes a passionate plea to the Philippians to see their life as a means to point others to God. First, in verses 19 through 26, he explains what this looks like for him. He sums it up in verse 21 saying that “for {him} to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” He explains that his life is simply a tool given to him to point others to Jesus. He adds that if pointing others to Jesus costs him his life, he’ll count it as a gain because he’ll be with Christ.

    In verses 27 through 30, he challenges the Philippians to view their life the same way. We see him repeat the challenge he gave to the Ephesians in Ephesians 4 to “let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ”.

    • Do I view my life as a tool I’ve been given to point others to Christ?

    • Am I willing to sacrifice anything, even my life, to point others to Christ?

  • Read Philippians 2:1-18

    In today’s reading, Paul is calling the Philippians to live their lives in a way that is more outward focused than inward focused. He’s calling them to live their lives in a way that is more concerned with the needs of others than their own needs. Why live that way? Because Christ lived that way! Paul says that Christ is the ultimate example of humility and selflessness. Paul says that Jesus, who is fully God, lived life here on earth and died on a cross for the sake of others. There’s not greater sacrifice!

    Paul also encourages the Philippians to pursue God even more in his absence than when he was there with them. He says that it is the Holy Spirit working in and through them for their salvation – it isn’t any outside circumstances. He then gives a couple more challenges to them. First, he challenges them to “do all things without grumbling or disputing”. Last, he challenges them to hold fast to God’s word.

    • What are some things I do regularly that are motivated by selfish ambitions?

    • Have I acknowledged that Christ’s life and death on earth is the most selfless act ever? Am I willing to sacrifice for others the way that Jesus sacrificed for me?

    • Is my pursuit of God consistent even when my circumstances are changing?

  • Read Philippians: 2:19-30

    In today's reading. Paul talks about two fellow Christians – Timothy and Epaphroditus. He says that he hopes to send them back to the Philippians soon to check on them.

    In verses 20 through 22, Paul makes some incredibly profound statements. He says that there is no one like Timothy. He says that the thing that makes Timothy so special is that he "genuinely cares for [the Ephesians’] welfare," and he cares about "what matters to Jesus Christ." Paul is saying that Timothy is doing the things that matter to Jesus, so we should ask what is Timothy doing? He is caring for others and sharing the gospel. Those are the things that matter to Jesus!

    • Who are the Timothy’s and Epaphrodituses in my life that God has called me to do ministry with?

    • Am I doing the things that matter to Jesus?

    • Who are the people in my life that I can care for and share the gospel with?

  • Read Philippians 3:1-11

    Paul starts chapter 3 by talking about the joy that he has in serving Christ. Paul talks about his past and says that he followed all of the laws perfectly. He says that he counts all of his works as nothing now that he knows Christ! Paul is saying that the common idea of religion is based on what you do. However, to know Jesus and know of what he's done is to realize that it's not about what you do.

    Paul sums this up in verse nine by saying this: "I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God's way of making us right with himself depends on faith."

    • Do I place more emphasis on what I do or what Jesus has done for me?

    • Are my actions a product of my faith in Jesus?

  • Read Philippians 3:12-21

    In today's reading. Paul makes a plea with the Philippians to pursue holiness and perfection in Jesus. He is abundantly clear that he himself is by no means perfect, but he has chosen to pursue God with everything because God first pursued him. He adds that he has set his eyes on the future and left the past behind. Paul makes it clear that Christians should strive to remove every hinderance and distraction so that they can pursue Jesus wholeheartedly.

    • Am I pursuing holiness and perfection in Jesus with everything that I have?

    • Are my actions and thoughts today influenced by my past?

    • What other distractions in my life hinder my pursuit of Jesus?

  • Read Philippians 4:1-9

    As Paul wraps up his letter to the Ephesians, he leaves them with some encouraging words, he encourages them to do three things: rejoice in the Lord (verse 4), trust God with your anxieties and burdens (verse 6), and think about the good things of the Lord (verse 8).

    • Do I regularly rejoice in the goodness of God?

    • Do I trust the Lord to be in control of the difficult parts of my life?

    • Do I think more about the things of this world or the good things of God?

  • Read Philippians 4:10-23

    Paul's final words to the Philippians are a couple more encouragements. First, he tells them that he has learned the secret to being content in every circumstance. He says that in good times and in bad, he's learned to trust in Christ. And that is the secret to peace! Finally, he thanks them for their support of his work in ministry.

    • Do I trust God in the easy times and the hard times

    • What ministries do I regularly support?