Book of Philippians Study Guide

Community Group Study Guides - English

Basic Format of a Meeting

Crossroads Community Group Guide: 

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group

B. Purpose:

Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen

D. Announcements

1. Weekly Resources on Crossroads Facebook Page    

        Monday: Listening Room Resources for the week

        Wednesday: Building Your Faith Video Series with Pastor Willie  

2. Daily Devotional Video: The Encouraging Word with Pastor Willie

3. Announcements and Events:  Crossroads Web Site

4. Watch Crossroads Service  Sunday 11:45am

E. Review

  1. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week  

  2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

F. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): 

G. Find Background Information in a Study Bible if needed

H. Word: Read Scripture Read it in portions aloud together several times. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words - keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?
2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What details can you add to what others in the group have said? .

I. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion - the leader should not speak more than 30% of the time - let the group discover what God is saying to them).

1. What key ideas do you see in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story? 

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

   

J. Commitment - Obedience - Application  (This is the key - have everyone answer this question): 

1. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study?  

K. Prayer Time: 

                 1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to join your group. Name names of people specifically.

                 2. pray for your group to multiply

                 2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide into 2 groups one of male and the other female.

L. For Next time:

                 1. Assign group members that are ready to do different parts of the next meeting as you prepare  them. (Opening Question; Prayer Time; Read Background info; lead group)

                 2. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group for next week.

Bible Studies 

 

#2 The Book of Philippians 

This is a good book to study to learn about Christian character and also how to handle suffering 

The book of Philippians was written by Paul while he was in prison for his faith. It is key to remember this as you study the book - note Paul's attitude and focus despite being in bad circumstances. The book was written to the people in a city called Philippi, a Greek city. Paul knew these people personally and Paul had started led most of the people to become followers of Jesus. as a church they meet in people's homes like we do in community groups. You can read Acts chapter 16 to learn about Paul's time in that city.

Some of the key topics in this short book are: Encouragement in suffering, prayer, Courage, Praise, Gratitude. Paul is a great example for these people who were also facing persecution for their faith.

Ten Lessons

Philippians 1:1-11 - Relationships and Prayer

   Icebreaker: What kinds of things do you pray for when you pray?

Philippians 1:12-26 - Living for Jesus no matter What the Circumstances

   Icebreaker: When in your life did you see God use something bad for good in the long run?

Philippians 1:27-30 - How to Stand Firm

   Icebreaker: How do you usually respond to rejection and opposition from other people/

Philippians 2: 1-11 Humility

   Icebreaker: What is your best definition of humility? 

Philippians 2:12-18  Living without Grumbling

   Icebreaker: What makes you grumble or complain?

Philippians 2:19- 30 - Having Spiritual Children

   Icebreaker: Do you have any spiritual children?

Philippians 3: 1-14 - How to live in Victory

   Icebreaker: What have you given up in your life to follow Jesus?

Philippians 3: 15-21  Being a Good Model

   Icebreaker: Who has been a model for you as you follow Jesus?

Philippians 4:1-9   Becoming Anxiety Free

   Icebreaker: What tends to make you anxious?

Philippians 4: 10-23  Becoming Content

   Icebreaker: What is your definition of being content? are you content now in your life?