Sermon Outline:
- Affection that rejoices in and longs for Christ's work in His people
- Affection that is shaped by the Word of God
- Affection that is fueled by and aimed at the glory of God
Family Discussion Questions:
Younger and Older:
- Why does Paul thank God for the Philippian church?
- What does this Bible passage tell us about Jesus' affection for believers?
- Why was Paul sure that the Philippian Christians would be welcomed by Christ into His kingdom when He returned?
- What did Paul pray that God would do for the Philippian church?
- What did Paul and the Philippian church do together that strengthened their love for each other?
Deeper Discussion:
- Why is prayer an essential part of our "rejoicing in" and "longing for" Christ's work in our brothers and sisters in Christ?
- Some are more prone to focusing on feelings and some are more prone to dismiss them as unimportant. Which of those are you, and how does this passage challenge both personality types?
- Verse 6 is often misused as a blanket promise to everyone who has confessed faith in Christ. How can it properly be used as a comfort?
- What will happen to churches whose affection for one another is not grounded in a common embrace, defence, and proclamation of the Gospel? What other things might bind them together as they forget the Gospel?
- What is likely to happen if a church's "love" for one another grows but that love is not shaped by the Word of God? How has this happened in the church's history? How has your own concept of love needed to be shaped and reshaped by the Word?