Midweek meeting notes for 24/6/20 Philippians 2v12-end

These notes may well evolve, and there's no need to do any preparation, but just in case these notes are helpful to you if you'd like to look at the passage we're thinking about in our midweek meeting this week on Wednesday 24th June at 7:30pm via Zoom. 

Look at v12. What’s the therefore there for?

How do these verses connect to what’s gone before?

(What were verses 1-12 all about? How did we sum up that section in one word? V3)

Look at vv12-13. Who is at work for the Philippians’ salvation in these two verses?

What’s the logical connection between those two workings?

(How is the Philippians’ working connected to God’s working?)

(Why is the Philippians’ working worthwhile?)

Look back to 1v6. Who’s work is salvation according to this verse?

What confidence does that give us?

What do you think it means to “work out” their salvation (v12)?

What doesn’t it mean?

(Would it be the same as saying “work at / work for your salvation”?)

How can we “continue to work out” our salvation? What would this involve doing?

What would you say to someone who said: “Salvation is all God’s work. We just have to receive it as a gift. We don’t have to do anything.”?

What do you think Paul means by “with fear and trembling?” (v12)

Can you say what an appropriate “fear and trembling” and an inappropriate “fear and trembling” would be for the Christian?

Why should / shouldn’t we “fear and tremble”?

(What shouldn’t the Christian fear?)

As well as fear and trembling, what other attitudes are the Philippians to be characterised by according to v18?

Why do you think Paul particularly concentrates on avoiding complaining and arguing in v14?

(Have we already seen similar themes in Philippians?) 1v15; 1v27; 2vv1-4; 4v2

(How does the need to avoid complaining and arguing fit the context / the big ideas of 2vv3-4?)

What’s Paul’s focus in vv14-16?

(1v10 cf. vv15-16 – pure and blameless, day of Christ)

How would such a focus help us to avoid complaining and arguing and live out the implications of the gospel Paul is discussing here?

What does Paul say about Christian distinctiveness in vv15 and 16?

How does he describe the believers, the world they live in and what they’re to do in it?

What example of selfless humble service of others have we already seen in this chapter?

What other examples do we see in this passage?

In what ways are Timothy and Epaphroditus exemplary?

Cf. v4 and vv20-21

How does Paul show selflessness in this section? (vv16-18, v25-end)