1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:  2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  3 I thank my God every time I remember you.  PHILIPPIANS 1:1-3

Here are some great questions to ponder to help you develop the thankful spirit that Paul practiced, even when circumstances were grim:

• How have you been blessed by God? What can you thank God for every time you think of it? 
• What negative thoughts or event have caused you to stop seeing the blessings God has given you? 

Paul did not allow the negative circumstances, imprisonment or a future trial for the crime of sharing the Gospel in the Roman Empire to overshadow the fact that God had blessed his missionary work in Philippi which lead to a community that remembered him long after he left. 

4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus..   PHILIPPIANS 1:4-6

We sometimes begin things, but never finish them. But what God starts, He finishes.  That includes His work in us!  Philippians 1:6 assures us that God completes what He begins. Our confidence is not us holding on to God, but in God holding on to us. It is very easy to lose sight of that fact!

• Have you believed in Jesus for life?
• Do you believe that God is doing a great work in you? Or are you trying to live a life that honors God simply out of will power? 
• What does it look like to be confident that God is working in you?
• If God is working through us? What can we do to be more easily used by God? 

7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.  9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.   PHILIPPIANS 1:7-11

What are your prayers for others? “Lord bless my friend with good health or a great job”  or “Lord help my family to get along and to care for each other.” Those aren't bad things to pray for, however, Paul’s prayer for the Philippians was for their “love to continue to increase in knowledge and insight.”  The knowledge and Insight that Paul is talking about here is a knowledge and insight of God’s love, purpose and plan. It is very easy to only pray for someone’s physical need while neglecting their spiritual need. Paul did not fall into that trap. Instead the first thing that he prayed for was the spiritual need.

• What would your prayer life look like if you prayed for the spiritual life of others as much as you did their physical needs?
• Who is a person in your life that you could begin to pray for their spiritual and physical needs on a consistent basis? 
• Challenge: spend time each day for the next week praying for the spiritual health and faith of a different friend or family member, even if they haven't said that they are struggling or asked you to pray for them.

12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[b] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[c] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.  
PHILIPPIANS 1:12-14

What Paul is referring to in verse 12 was his current imprisonment for sharing the Gospel in the Roman Empire. Paul had every opportunity to become depressed, give up and blame God. Paul instead chose to see that his imprisonment had given him an opportunity to witness to his Roman jailers. The point here is that often our hardships can be what we are the most thankful for if we allow God to use us in that hardship.

• What is a hardship that you are going through right now that can be used by God?
• How does God desire for you to grow your faith in your current hardship? 

Changing our attitude towards our hardships will not eliminate them. However, it will affect what those hardships bring about. If we have a negative mindset hardship is simply hardship. But with a mindset like Paul’s, hardships become an avenue to glorify God and grow closer to him.

15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.  Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.  PHILIPPIANS 1:15-19

Everybody on planet earth is seeking out something to give them joy.  Everyone wants to rejoice over something, but what? Whe must find the WHY behind the WHAT when it comes to joy. We must understand what brings us true joy that actually lasts. In verse 19  Paul rejoiced because he had friends that prayed for him and a God that provided. The key to joy is not in acquiring more stuff or achieving a status. Instead joy that lasts is found when we understand who we are in Christ. Who we are in Christ can not be taken away, altered or even diminished by our circumstance, and in Paul's case, not even by imprisonment.

• What brings you joy in life?
• How is the joy of knowing that we are loved and forgiven by God different than the joy we get elsewhere in life? 
• Challenge: take some time to pray and find joy in the fact that you are heard by a God that loves you. 

20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.  PHILIPPIANS 1:20-24

What do you live for? What drives you? For Paul the answer to these questions was clear. It was Christ. Paul’s mindset was that if he continued to live he could continue to serve Christ. If he died it was gain for him because he would go on to be with Jesus (vs 21). For him both options included what he held most dear in his life, Jesus Christ. This type of thinking often intimidates people and they fail to see how they could ever get to that point. However, it is possible and it is worth pursuing.

• Could you say the same thing? Would others say that you live by this mantra? 
• If the answer is no what attitudes or actions do you need to change to adopt the mindset that Paul had? 
• What would your life look like if you lived by this mantra?

Think about this.:  What would it be like if no person, event or circumstance could take away your joy and significance? The only thing that no person, event or circumstance can change is a relationship with Jesus.

 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me.  27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.  
PHILIPPIANS 1:25-28

Philippians 1:27-28: “Whatever happens!”  It doesn’t matter if you are on top of the world or the world is on top of you.  Well, I guess it would matter to you!  Paul reminds us that no matter what our circumstances are we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ.  

• What does it mean to conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel?
• What are some circumstances that you have found it difficult to “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”? 
• What are some attitudes and actions in your life that are NOT worthy of the gospel?

These are important questions for every believer to ask about their personal daily walk with God.  It is so easy to be caught in the moment, to live for today with no thought of yesterday or tomorrow.  But every person who has believed in Jesus for eternal life needs to realize that they are God’s children, saved by grace through faith; part of the church, the body of Christ; sealed with the Holy Spirit who lives in them.  

When we think about what Jesus has done for us and realize that one day every believer will stand before Him and give an account of what we did with our lives (2 Corinthians 5:9-10), it will change how we live today.

Imagine being selected by the King of a country to be his child.  Then imagine that the King would come back one day to see how you lived as his child, but would also provide direction and encouragement for you to live like a prince or princess right now.  Would that change your attitudes, actions and words in your life today? Paul reminds us, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
PHILIPPIANS 1:29-30

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  PHILIPPIANS 2:1-4

Most of us look out for our own interests first. That is human nature.  That is true at work, in our schools and on athletic fields.  We grow up learning to take care of ourselves.   It is something that is built into our nature for self-preservation, but the problem comes in when it becomes selfish ambition.

Selfish ambition is when we promote ourselves above others. It may even mean that we put others down in the process.  Vain conceit is when we are deeply satisfied with our own achievements or accomplishment. The problem is that our conceit often becomes sinful pride that leads to an unrealistic view of
yourselves.

The verse three continues, “Rather in humility value others above yourself.” Humility is NOT thinking badly of yourself, it is thinking of others before you think of yourself.  God wants His people to value themselves, but He also wants us to value others more than we value ourselves.  Isn’t that what Jesus did?  He came to earth, leaving the glories of heaven because He loved us.  He lived in an imperfect world, even though He was a perfect person in every way.  He died on a cross to take the sins of the world because He valued us so much.  

• Who is the most humble person that you know?
• Who do you value above yourself?
• Who would you give your life for?  
• What can you do today to value others above yourself?

God gave Himself for everyone, that includes the best of sinners AND the worst of sinners.  Jesus even gave Himself for you.  

• What do you need to do to drop the selfish ambition and vain conceit and put on humility in the way you approach life and others?

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:   PHILIPPIANS 2:5

God is a relational God. Even though we worship one God, He is three distinct, but not separate persons (Matthew 28:19).  Paul instructs believers, “In your relationships with one another. have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”  God isn’t just concerned about our relationship with Him. He is also vitally committed to our relationships with one another.  

Someone has said, “If your faith doesn’t work at home, don’t export it.”  How can others be impressed with our relationship with the relational God when we can’t get along with other people, especially other Christians?  It is impossible to get along with everyone simply because all of us are sinners.  But Philippians 2:5 reminds us that God’s standard for our relationships with one another is to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Two of Jesus’ key mindsets were service and mercy.  We are to do for others what Jesus did for us.  Love first.  Show grace.  Extend mercy.  This is the mind of Christ.

• What does it mean to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus?
• What would people say about your faith if they based it solely on how you interacted with other Christians?
• What is one thing that you can do this week to treat others as Jesus has treated you?

6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.   PHILIPPIANS 2:6-7

What is the first word that you associate with the word servant? It is probably not a positive one. The word servant has such negative connotations in today’s culture. Yet Paul here encourages us to take on the very nature of being a servant, like Christ. Jesus’ life and teaching centered around being a servant to all (John 13:1-7).

What our culture misses is that servant hood is not weakness but strength when it is something that is chosen. When we choose servant hood we are showing with our actions that our significance does not come from being in charge, being respected or even being feared. Instead, our significance comes from Christ and His amazing love for us.

Jesus set the example serving us and He told us that we would be blessed if we did the same.  Take your next step.  Serve others in the name of Jesus.

• What is the biggest barrier for you to serve others? 
• How did Jesus model a servant lifestyle while doing ministry on earth?  
• In what small ways can you serve someone today? This does not need to be something big! 

8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.   PHILIPPIANS 2:8-13

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.   PHILIPPIANS 2:14-15

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” That is easier said than done. There is something about complaining that we are naturally drawn to as human beings. So if it comes so naturally and we enjoy doing it why stop? What is our motivation to truly do “everything without grumbling or complaining”? Verse 15 holds the answer.

• How does verse 15 explain why doing everything without grumbling and complaining is so important in our faith? 
• What do you find yourself complaining about the most? 
• How does complaining affect the way others view you? 
• What is one step that you can take to stop grumbling and complaining?

16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.  17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.  18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you.  20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare.  21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.  22 But you know that Timothy has proved himself, because as a son with his father he has served with me in the work of the gospel.  23 I hope, therefore, to send him as soon as I see how things go with me.  24 And I am confident in the Lord that I myself will come soon.  PHILIPPIANS 2:16-24

Timothy was Paul’s disciple and assistant on his second and third missionary journey. It is even possible that Timothy came to know Christ through Paul’s first missionary journey that went through Timothy’s hometown of Lystra (Acts 16:1-5). At this time Timothy was very young, likely in his late teens or early twenties at the most. However, Timothy was being used by God in amazing ways, especially after Paul’s imprisonment. Timothy was eventually used to lead and pastor the struggling church of Ephesus. Paul knew that such a responsibility could be daunting for someone of Timothy’s age so he wrote these encouraging words in a letter later on to Timothy:

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

• Have you dismissed yourself from being used by God because of your age? 
• Have you let others look down on you because you are young like Timothy?

If you could say yes to those questions you should be encouraged that God’s ability to use you is not limited by your age. God can use everyone in every life stage!

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 26 For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. 27 Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I am all the more eager to send him, so that when you see him again you may be glad and I may have less anxiety. 29 So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him, 30 because he almost died for the work of Christ. He risked his life to make up for the help you yourselves could not give me.   PHILIPPIANS 2:25-30

1 Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.  PHILIPPIANS 3:1-4

“Dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh” are some very strong words to say the least. What did these people do that lead to Paul calling them this? The people that Paul is likely referring to were people in the church that believed that someone must follow the Jewish law in order to be a Christian. This was a very common issue in the early church that Paul had to deal with often. Paul points out why this belief was so destructive by stating that “we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh”. Paul put no confidence in the flesh or our ability to follow the law because he understood that we are broken people and we are controlled by our sinful nature, the flesh.

• Have you fallen into the trap of trusting in your own flesh (your own ability) to live a life that honors God? 
• Have you settled for the sinful acts of the flesh rather than living the transformed life to be more like Jesus?
• How can you step away from trusting in the flesh (your own ability) and begin to allow God to transform you? 
• Why is Paul so confident to believe that we shouldn’t place our confidence in the flesh (aka ourselves)? 

4 ...If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  PHILIPPIANS 3:4-9

In verses four through six Paul talks about his very impressive religious resume. Paul had an extensive knowledge of Scripture, law and religious traditions.  The problem was he (Saul, before he became Paul) viewed those things as actions or works that made him right before God. The problem was that Paul’s religious resume, his works, did not make him loved by God. Nothing can make us right before God except for God’s mercy that was shown by Jesus on the cross. It is for this reason that Paul says in verse seven “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” The gains that Paul was talking about were his religious works done for all the wrong reasons.

• Is there something in your life that you’re giving more value to than your relationship with Christ? 
• What do you find yourself pursuing more on a daily and weekly basis?

Challenge: Before you do anything that could be considered a work (going to church, serving, reading the Bible) take some time to remind yourself that you are doing these things because you are loved by God not so that you will be loved by God.

 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings,becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.   PHILIPPIANS 3:10-12

“but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” What is Paul talking about here? What is the thing Paul is pressing on to take hold of? Righteousness.  Paul had been discussing righteousness in verse nine.  Paul understood that righteousness can only come from God through belief in Jesus Christ, not the law or works. However, Paul could still grow in righteousness by growing closer to God. That is what Paul was pressing on towards. Paul, one of the greatest ministers of the Gospel, did not become complacent with his relationship, view, and understanding of Christ.   He kept growing.  He kept striving to be more like Jesus.

• Have you become complacent in your own faith? Are continuing to press on to grow your faith? If not why? 
• Next Steps: If you have become complacent. The first step is to admit it through prayer and to someone you trust, don’t hesitate to bring it to a leader’s attention. 
• What do you need to change in your life to move out of being complacent in your faith? 

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14  

Paul, In the middle of his encouraging words to “press on” and to continue to grow our faith and become more like Christ he says to “forget what is behind”. Why does it matter so much that we forget what is behind?

If you have read the book of Acts you may know that Paul, Saul at the time, had persecuted Christians soon after the resurrection of Jesus. Paul had brought pain and suffering to many believers before finally believing in Jesus himself on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19).  We may have never persecuted Christians, but we all have things that we are not proud of, even things that we are ashamed of. But these things cannot be what prevent us from pressing to grow to be more like Christ. Don't let your shame of yesterday stop you from growing to be more like Christ tomorrow.

• There is power in receiving the grace God has given you. Have you done well with forgetting/forgiving what is behind, your past mistakes, and focusing on what’s ahead?
• Have you refused to forgive yourself even though you know God has? If so spend some time in prayer asking God to help you see and understand that you are truly forgiven.  

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.  PHILIPPIANS 3:15-17  

In verse seventeen Paul encourages the church of Philippi to follow after his example. Paul’s entire life was completely dedicated to honoring God and making Jesus known to the world. Because, of this he could say to the church of Philippi “follow me”. Paul was not saying that he was perfect or that he could not continue to grow his faith (vs. 12-14). Instead, Paul was saying that if someone followed him they would see his faith lived out. Can we say the same?
What you must understand is that people are following after your example even if you do not have a “leadership position.” If people follow your example, regardless of their age, you are a leader. In reality everyone is a leader. The question is do you like where you are leading people?

• If someone was following the example of your life (they are) what habit or characteristic would you NOT want them to pick up on? How can you change that habit or characteristic? 
• Challenge: Write down the names of one person that you know follows your example. Once you have written down their name spend some time in prayer that you would lead them well. 
• Who is in your life currently that lives a life worth modeling after? 
• Challenge: If the first question convicted you, your next step may be to find someone that is living a life that honors God and begin to follow their example. You may even want to consider asking them to disciple you. 

18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach,and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. PHILIPPIANS 3:18-21  

Worry and anxiety have a way of consuming us. When we worry, we are often incapable of focusing on anything other than that one thing, that one unknown. On the surface this worry doesn't seem to be that destructive of a problem, but it is.  Worry is destructive because it steals our focus from what we should be focusing on, specifically Jesus Christ.

Focus matters because we are incapable of multitasking. We say we can but we can't.  When we multitask, we inevitably do two things with half the focus, passion and outcome.  Our focus can be divided but it can not be multiplied. So when we worry we always do everything else with half the focus, passion and outcome. When we worry, our focus on Christ, our passion for the Gospel and our desire to live a life that honors God is hindered.

What is the solution? According to Paul, in verse six the solution is prayer. When we pray we entrust God with the unknowns in our lives. When we pray we give our request to God and accept the answer of yes, no or not right now. Regardless of the answer, when we trust God in prayer, our focus is regained so that we can once again focus on what matters, specifically Christ.

• Challenge: What are you worrying about right now? Be honest. For the next 24 hours make it a habit to stop what you are doing anytime the thought of worry or anxiety creeps into your mind and pray. You may be amazed at how the “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. 15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. 17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. 18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

21 Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. 22 All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.  PHILIPPIANS 4:10-23

It is very easy to spend some serious time studying a book of the bible and never read the book as a whole. For example, up to this point you have probably only read Philippians in 2 to 5 verse chunks, especially if you have done one devotional a day. It is perfectly okay to do that! But it is also a great habit to read the bible in larger chunks, chapters and even books at a time, to get the bigger picture.

So the challenge is to find some time this week to sit down and read this Philippians all in one sitting. It will actually take far less time than you think.

When you read Philippians all the way through take some time and try to answer these questions.

• What is the overarching message of the book of Philippians? 
• How would I describe Paul’s message to the church of Philippi in just a few words? 
• What passage in the book of Philippians convicted you or simply stuck out to you? This is a great question to ask yourself anytime you read scripture because these passages are great to commit to memory so that God’s word will continually convict and inspire you to live a life that honors God. 

Challenge: Choose one passage that convicts or inspires you in the book of Philippians and memorize that passage this week.