ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

WEEK BEGINNING 15 JANUARY 2006

PHILIPPIANS 1:1-11: A NEW HEART

For home groups that would like them, here are some questions based on the talk at Sunday's 6:30 pm service. There's no need to answer them all - just tackle the ones you have time for. You don't need to stick to the areas mentioned here - feel free to discuss any other issues that arise for you.

A new term and a new series!

For further reading/help - consider "A Life Worth Living" by Nicky Gumbel

OPTION 1:

As Philippians is a short letter, if you fancy something a bit different for a week why not consider reading right through the letter from start to finish. This will give you the big picture, and allow you to pick up on some of the themes that you will be detecting in coming weeks. You might like to keep an eye out for; joy/rejoicing, the day of Christ, the gospel, partnership and unity.

If there's time you might also want to have a look at Acts 16:11-40 for some further background.

OPTION 2:

1. If a more conventional Bible study is what you're after, I'd still start with Acts 16:11-40. What can we learn from here in terms of background before we get to Paul's letter?

2. Read Philippians 1:1-11

3. To whom is the letter addressed? (v1)

4. Who are the saints? Have you ever thought of yourself in this way?

5. Why might Paul have reason to thank God for the Philippians? (v3-5) (see also 4:10-19)

6. What has their relationship with Paul been since day one? (v5)

7. What gives Paul confidence for the future? (v6) Is this where our confidence lies for the future too? How is verse 6 both exciting and reassuring?

8. What do verses 7-8 suggest about where Paul is when he writes this letter? [in prison in Rome] What does this make all the more surprising?

9. What 4 things does Paul pray for for them in verses 9-11? Trace the sequence.

10. What do you normally pray for yourself and for others? Does this passage challenge you to change your priorities?

11. How can we work to develop these things in ourselves and each other?

Edward Hobbs
14 January 2006