A Brief Study of Philippians

Dale Sullivan

Review Last Lesson: Background

I. Salutation 1: 1-2

II. Prayer 1: 3-11 (They share in Gospel)

III. Consolation 1: 12-26 (Paul in prison).

IV. Exhortations. 1:27-3:21

A. Live worthy lives. 1: 27-30

B. Live in concordia (with one heart). 2: 1-4

C. Live as shining stars. 2: 12-18

Lesson Three: Examples to Live By: Christ, Timothy, Epaphroditus, Paul

I. The Example of Christ: 2: 5-11, Humility and Obedience.

A. What exhortations set the context for Paul’s description of Christ (vs. 3&4)?

B. Fill out the following table indicating Christ’s actions and the Father’s responses.

	Christ’s actions	The Father’s response (usually implied)
Original Position	In nature God	In fellowship
Self-Appraisal
Self-Abasement	a. b.
Humility & Obedience
Resulting Position

II. The Examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus, 2:19-30

A. What parallels are there between Paul and Timothy’s relationship and the Father and Christ’s relationship?

B. How does Timothy exemplify the qualities Paul calls for in 2: 3 & 4?

C. How does Epaphroditus’ obedience parallel Christ’s obedience?

D. Based on these two men’s examples, what things do not matter and what things do matter?

III. The Example of Paul, 3: 4b-4:1

A. In verses 4b-6: What things used to matter to Paul and still matter to some people?

B. What is his attitude toward those things now (verses 7 & 8)?

C. What things now matter to Paul (verses 8-11)? What motivates him?

D. How is Paul conducting his life in pursuit of what matters (verses 12-14)?

E. What specific suggestions does Paul give his followers to help them pursue what matters (verses 15 – 4:1)?

Discussion

1. What things in your life cause you to have attitudes that are not consistent with humility and obedience?

2. What specific steps can you take to imitate Christ, Timothy, Epaphroditus, or Paul?

3. What motivates you now, and how might you come to be motivated by those things that really matter?