Philippians 2:19–24 | Resources
Discussion Questions
Who is a spiritual encouragement to you? Why?
Who are the people in your life who model Jesus? In what ways do they model Christlikeness?
In what ways does phony religiosity (those who claim the name “Christian” but seem no different from anyone else) hurt the credibility of Christ and the church?
Does faithful Christian living always look extraordinary? Why or why not?
In what areas of life do you specifically need to live more selflessly?
In light of our text/sermon, what would it look like to obey?
Memory Verse
“But you know his proven character, because he has served with me in the gospel ministry like a son with a father.” Philippians 2:22 (CSB)
Devotional
How many of us receive letters and reports from missionaries we support personally or through our local church? We love to hear the good news they share with us and praise God to see Him working through their ministries. We also pray for the challenges they face in their particular ministry, as well as adjusting to daily living in a different culture. I must admit that one part of these letters that does not get enough of my attention is the portion where they ask how they can pray for us. Occasionally, they may ask for an update on how things are going and news of recent events in our lives. Though I’ve tried to do better more recently, I’ve all too often failed to provide any response or indication that I am praying or even thinking about them. How lonely that must make our missionaries feel.
Paul, no doubt, had to deal with similar feelings in his ministry as he experienced many who deserted him during persecution. Paul was longing for word from friends and brothers he had left behind to see how they are doing, to hear of their joys and pains, and to know they have not forgotten his love for them and his work for the gospel. Paul longed for news of the Philippian church and their shared ministry so much that he not only wrote the letter to the Philippian church, but he was also preparing to send Timothy, who was like his son in the faith. Paul knew Timothy was faithful to encourage the Philippians in their faith and to bring back news to Paul of their circumstances.
Paul’s letter showed a strong love and commitment to the Philippians, but it also must have been somewhat convicting to those who were being contentious or those whose love for the gospel had waned over time in Paul’s absence. I fear that the communication we have with missionaries may leave them wondering about us as individuals and as a church body. Do we care for them beyond a check? Is our faith flourishing? If they come home to visit after years on the field, will they be encouraged meeting the people they know and seeing the church that supports them? I pray that we communicate regularly and securely with our missionaries, showing that our faith continues to grow and that they continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. May our missionaries know that those who hold the rope of support remain faithful in caring for them.