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Philippians 3:2-11 (MSG)

31/7/2017

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2-6 Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances—knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it. We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it—even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law; a fiery defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book.

7-9 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.

10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
Philippians 3:2-11 (MSG)
General Context Questions
  • Who wrote this? Who is or which groups of people are involved?
  • Was this written before, during, or after Jesus’ lifetime?
  • Is this a narrative, a parable, a praise, a suggestion, a command, an instruction, or something else?
  • Is there anything that stands out to you?
  • Did anything confuse you? Were there words or phrases that didn’t make sense?
Specific Questions
  • What are some of the behaviors that a person may display who fits the description of a "religious busybody" that is only interested in appearances?
  • Is there anything that you once thought was important, but is gone from your life since coming to know Jesus? Is there anything you miss about it? Was it worth it?
  • What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of righteousness achieved through keeping the law versus a knowing Christ personally?
  • What does it mean to "know Christ personally"? How do you do that?
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Philippians 1:22-30 (MSG)

24/7/2017

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22-26 As long as I’m alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I’d choose. Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better. But most days, because of what you are going through, I am sure that it’s better for me to stick it out here. So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We’ll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.
​
27-30 Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they’re up against: defeat for them, victory for you—and both because of God. There’s far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There’s also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You’re involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter.
Philippians 1:22-30 (MSG)
General Context Questions
  • Who wrote this? Who is or which groups of people are involved?
  • Was this written before, during, or after Jesus’ lifetime?
  • Is this a narrative, a parable, a praise, a suggestion, a command, an instruction, or something else?
  • Is there anything that stands out to you?
  • Did anything confuse you? Were there words or phrases that didn’t make sense?
Specific Questions
  • Who are you living for? What do you want to see happen in their lives?
  • Are you waiting for anyone or anything to happen before you make changes in your life or are you living the life you want?
  • Have you ever had to suffer for someone else? Have you ever chosen to suffer for someone else?
  • What does the "opposition" mentioned in this passage look like?
  • What work is there for *you* to do?
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Ephesians 6:10-18 (MSG)

17/7/2017

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10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Ephesians 6:10-18 (MSG)
General Context Questions
  • Who wrote this? Who is or which groups of people are involved?
  • Was this written before, during, or after Jesus’ lifetime?
  • Is this a narrative, a parable, a praise, a suggestion, a command, an instruction, or something else?
  • Is there anything that stands out to you?
  • Did anything confuse you? Were there words or phrases that didn’t make sense?
Specific Questions
  • Do you feel like God wants you to be strong? Do you feel like the church wants or helps you to be strong? Do you feel strong?
  • Do you feel like you're in a life-or-death fight? What might the battles in that fight look like? How can you tell if you win or lose?
  • How are you preparing? What are you doing to train to use these weapons?
  • How can you apply "truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation"?
  • When was the last time you prayed? When you pray, is it a standardized, repetitious prayer? Is the author advocating that you physically keep your eyes open when you pray or is there another meaning?
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Ephesians 6:1-9 (NIV)

10/7/2017

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1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”

4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
Ephesians 6:1-9 (NIV)
General Context Questions
  • Who wrote this? Who is or which groups of people are involved?
  • Was this written before, during, or after Jesus’ lifetime?
  • Is this a narrative, a parable, a praise, a suggestion, a command, an instruction, or something else?
  • Is there anything that stands out to you?
  • Did anything confuse you? Were there words or phrases that didn’t make sense?
Specific Questions
  • Do you feel like you obey or obeyed your parents? What actions did, do, or can you take to do this?
  • Fathers, do you feel like you're prepared to bring your children up "in the training and instruction of the Lord"? How can you better prepare for this?
  • Do you think that the words "slave" and "master" carry the same meaning to you that they did to the author? What may be some important differences in meaning?
  • Are all "masters" to be obeyed with respect and fear? What should you do if you encounter a bad or negligent master?
  • If masters are advised to "treat your slaves in the same way" as slaves are instructed to treat masters, what is the difference between slave and master?
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