The Road to the Cross

As Jesus journeyed to the cross, He looked nothing like a king. He was under a sentence of death. He had been brutally beaten, His body was drenched in blood from his head, hands, and feet. People mocked him with intense insults. Where were all the trappings of majesty? Where was his army of warriors…his devoted followers? We learn something about our Lord from this. He was resolved to complete His rescue mission on behalf of humanity. That should give us bold assurance that God’s plan will be accomplished in us. ~Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever felt conflicted about something you did not have a clear perspective on? Share your story. How did you process this? How did you feel once you gained the right perspective on the situation?

Read: Luke 23; Matthew 27

Discuss:

1. Very little is known about the two thieves who hung beside Jesus. But of what is written about them, how would you describe them? Why were they being put to death by crucifixion?

2. Read Luke 23:32-37. Notice the way they derided Jesus. Take a moment to categorize each statement. What were they questioning Jesus about? Read Matthew 27:38-44. Notice that it emphasizes that the two thieves questioned Jesus as well. Were these insults questions of doubt or statements of fraud against Jesus? Why? How did Jesus respond to these insults? What makes His reaction so counter cultural? How should this be an example to us in a culture increasingly throwing insults toward Christians?

3. The first criminal continued to ridicule Jesus. How do his questions demonstrate his perspective of Jesus? In what ways was he fixated on himself? In what ways do we blindly fixate on our circumstances instead of our Savior? Do you agree with this statement, “Jesus never came to meet our needs…He came to change our lives”? Why or why not?

4. The second thief comes to a different conclusion. Describe his process of reasoning. What do you think moved him from deriding Jesus (Matthew 27:44 indicates that he did as well) to confessing to Jesus? Describe the progression of his salvation story.

5. Jesus responds to this second thief with a promise. Read Luke 23:43. Describe the elements of this promise. Describe paradise. How should this promise cause assurance for believers? What areas do you need assurance in your faith? How does this verse encourage you?

Pray: Ask God to make you aware of the areas that you are being moved by the crowd or circumstance. Pray that God would give you assurance in your salvation. Take a moment to ponder the fact that your impact will be tied to your delight in what Christ did for you on the cross.

Memorize/Meditate: But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:4-6

Joy-Full: Secret of Joy

In a world that is more discontent with life than ever, Christians should be the most content…ecause we believe that Jesus is better than the best things the world has to offer us. That everything else falls short of the treasure of knowing Him, following Him, and serving Him. True contentment keeps us free from the bonds of dependence on circumstances and materials so that we can live with abounding joy in the midst of whatever season we might be facing. ~ Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever been discontent? Share your story.  

Read: Philippians 4:10-23; 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:6-12; Hebrews 13:5

Discuss:

1. Paul ends where he began the letter to the Philippians by once again telling them that he has reason to rejoice because of them. How important is it to be connected to God’s people? Have you ever experienced the “drifter mentality”? Share. Why do so many people struggle with being a part of the church? In what ways have you seen Christian community helpful in your spiritual journey?

2. Do you believe we live in a culture of discontentment? Why or why not? How would you define Biblical contentment? How does Paul describe contentment in Philippians 4:11-12? In what ways are you discontent? Notice Paul repeats the phrase “learn” and “secret” in these verses? How can we learn to be more content as Christians?

3.  Philippians 4:13 is probably one of the most quoted verse in all the Bible, yet also one of the most misunderstood. In context, what does this verse mean? In what ways does God give us the strength to endure whatever it is that we are facing (whether good or bad)? How have you seen this to be true in your life?

4. What does it mean when Paul says that they were sharing in his “trouble” (Philippians 4:14)? How should generosity overflow from our joy? Would you consider yourself generous? Why or why not? In what ways can you be more generous?

5. Paul calls their gift a “fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God” (Philippians 4:18). He follows this with a promise that God will supply their needs (Philippians 4:19). How does generosity flow into a cycle of joy, contentment, giving, and provision? How have you observed this in your Christian life?

Pray: Ask God to reveal the areas of your life that are discontent. Pray that God would make you more aware of His provision. Ask God to give you the strength needed for the season that is in front of you.

Memorize/Meditate: I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

 

Joy-Full: Unfiltered Joy

Anxiety is epidemic in our society. We live in an age where we are overwhelmed with worry and bombarded with fear. Our lives are left with no room to live in the joy that God intends. Only when we turn to God in prayer can we experience the peace that is capable of calming our heart so that we can be fully satisfied with God’s plan in our circumstances. ~ Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever been gripped by anxiety? What were the circumstances? What made this moment such an anxious event?

Read: Philippians 4:1-9; Matthew 6:24-34; 1 Peter 5:7; Hebrews 13:5-6

Discuss:

1. In what ways do you see anxiety displayed in epidemic proportions? Why do you believe anxiety and worry are at an all-time high? What are things that make Americans anxious? What makes you anxious? Do you believe the following statement is true: “85% of the things we worry about never happens!” Why or why not?

2. What conflict was Paul addressing in Philippians 4:1-3? In what ways could this conflict create anxiety and hinder joy in the church? What sorts of things occupy your mind? How does your preoccupation with these things affect your relationships? How does it affect your joy in the Lord? How does it affect your relationship with the God of peace?

3.  What does Paul give as the prescription to overcome anxiety? Describe the progression of prayer in Philippians 4:6-7: What role does gratitude play in our prayers? What makes thankfulness so difficult in our anxious moments? How does your circumstance look different when you face it with worry compared to facing it as God prescribes here?

4. God doesn’t promise any quick or easy solution to our worry. Instead He offers His peace. What is the difference between “peace with God” and the “peace of God”? How is peace with God a better promise than the promise to a resolution to your worrisome situations? What are some things that keep us from peace?

5. Paul gives us a plan that calls us to shift our focus. Describe this shift. How does having the “who” help us to worry less about the “what”? How have you seen this true in your life? Describe the eight characteristics in Philippians 4:8: Which one stands out to you most?

Pray: Pray that you would shift your mind from the places of anxiety to the person of God. Ask God to give you His peace that would surpass your anxiety. Take some time to rejoice in God’s goodness in the midst of your circumstance.

 Memorize/Meditate: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Joy-Full: Surpassing Joy

 

There are constant rivals coming against our pursuit of joy. Regretful shame from our past, overwhelming circumstances in the present, and unknown worries about the future all can cause us to take life into our own hands…To try harder, do more, get better, and push forward. However, the key to Christian living doesn’t come from trying harder, but from enjoying more fully all that we have been given by Christ…To know what He has done, experience what He has given, and hope in what He has promised. ~ Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever lost something that you thought was valuable only to find something of better value to take its place? Share your story.

Read: Philippians 3; Acts 8; 2 Corinthians 6

Discuss:

1. Paul begins chapter 3 by reminding the Philippians to rejoice. Why do you think Paul kept reminding them to have joy? What does this tell us about the nature of joy in our lives? What makes choosing joy so difficult?

2. Notice that Paul gives three warnings (Philippians 3:2). Who are the “dogs”, “evildoers” and “those who mutilate this flesh”? What are these people teaching? Why do you think Paul is so harsh in his description? How do you see this exemplified in our culture today? What legalistic tendencies do you see in Christianity today? How does Philippians 3:3 describe our identity in Christ?

3.  Paul gives his resume in Philippians 3:4-6. What stands out about his resume? What would your “life resume” say? In what ways do we put confidence in our background (good or bad)? Do you ever struggle with shame from your past? In what ways do we place confidence in our achievements? What do you put confidence in? How do these things steal our joy? Why is it so difficult to “put no confidence in the flesh”?

4. Why do you think Paul considers his accomplishments as loss (Philippians 3:7)? He repeats this idea multiple times. What does the word “rubbish” mean? List some of the ways that Christ is better than every human achievement? How should this perspective bring us joy?

5. How is becoming more like Christ the goal of every Christian? What does it mean to know the power of resurrection? What does it look like to share in His sufferings? In what ways have you seen this in your own life? In what ways do you need to know Christ more?

Pray: Pray that you would be confident in Christ; that you would know the power of His resurrection more and share in His sufferings faithfully. Ask God to give you a greater awareness of the joy you have in the journey to being like Christ.

Memorize/Meditate: Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8

Joy-Full: Signs of Joy

 

As Christians we are living between two worlds. We are earth born and heaven bound. Some focus all their attention on the here and now. Others are merely biding time until heaven. But the Scripture calls us to live in the balance of both of these realities. To live on earth purposefully and long for eternity ultimately. ~ Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever been torn over two different options that both seemed advantageous? Share your story. What decision did you make? Did you have any regrets?  

Read: Philippians 1; Ephesians 4; Galatians 2; Colossians 1:27

Discuss:

1. As Paul sat in prison, he was aware of a few possibilities. He could die in prison, be put to death by the hand of Caesar, or be released from prison. Amid these possibilities, how was Paul able to rejoice (Philippians 1:18-19)? How does prayer aid in joyful living? How have the prayers of others helped your joy to increase?

 2. How important is courage to a life of joy? In what ways does confidence come from proper dependence? Have you ever been joyfully courageous? Share your story. 

3. Paul understood that he was caught between the realities of two worlds, heaven and earth. What does Philippians 1:21 mean? Describe Paul’s wrestling between these two realities. What makes us so fearful of death? How can death be considered gain? Have you ever longed for heaven? Why? How does having eternity in view help us live our lives more purposefully?

4. Paul says that while he longs for heaven, he is willing to remain on earth. Why is he willing (Philippians 1:25-26)? List some reasons why God has put you on earth? Are you living with one eye on eternity and one eye on your calling? Why or why not?

5. Read Philippians 1:27. What does the word “worthy” mean? What does it look like to live a worthy life (Philippians 1:28-30)? What hinders worthy living? How does worthy living make the gospel so compelling and increase our joy?

Pray: Pray that you would live with more awareness of heaven and greater purpose on earth. Ask God to give you courage to live a worthy life.  

Memorize/Meditate: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Joy-Full: Unstoppable Joy

There are things all around us that attempt to imprison us and steal our happiness. From a frustrating relationship to an unfulfilling job, all of us have been caught chasing what we believe will bring us happiness, only to find ourselves more unfulfilled and even more empty. As Christians, this pursuit can leave us distracted from what really matters. True, supernatural joy comes when we fully grasp that our greatest gospel impact will usually run through our greatest adversities. ~Pastor Dave

Open: Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you felt trapped or even in prison? Share your story. How did it affect your outlook on life? How did your situation resolve?

Read: Philippians 1; Acts 4

Discuss:

1. Describe Paul’s situation. Have you ever been to jail? How would you react if you were in jail? In what ways are we in prison to our situations and circumstances?

2. How was Paul singularly focused on the gospel? What would you describe as your passions? Read Philippians 1:12. What does the word “advance” mean? Can you describe some historical moments where the gospel advanced in spite of surrounding circumstances?

3. What were the ways that the gospel was advancing in Philippians 1:12-14? How can our difficulties and suffering advance the gospel in this same way? How does our suffering help other brothers and sisters in the faith grow bolder? How have you seen this exemplified in your Christian journey?

4. Besides prison, what other problems and challenges was Paul facing? Describe what others were saying about Paul. In what ways have you been “kicked when you were down”? In what ways does this come from both unbelievers and believers? What other challenges try to steal your joy?

5. Read Philippians 1:18. One of the most surprising things about this passage is how Paul reacts. In what ways can we experience joy in spite of our circumstances? How does having gospel conviction bring joy in any circumstance? What are you rejoicing in right now? What are the things that you need gospel truth to override in your life right now? Where do you need joy to increase?

Pray: Take a moment to consider the spaces where you need joy in your life. Ask God to give you a greater awareness of the gospel through your suffering. Pray that God would advance the gospel through your suffering. Specifically, that more people would know Christ and others would grow in boldness because of your joy in suffering.

Memorize/Meditate: I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel…Philippians 1:12