Philippians 2:25–30 | Resources
Discussion Questions
Who has been an Epaphroditus in your life? How?
Consider each description. Why does Paul call Epaphroditus his “brother,” “fellow worker,” “fellow soldier,” and “messenger and minister?”
How has God had mercy on you today? Throughout your life? Share the ways God has been good to you.
What are some practical ways you can “honor” servants of the gospel like Timothy and Epaphroditus at your church?
How is Epaphroditus’ reputation convicting to you? How can we be more like him?
In light of our text/sermon, what would it look like to obey?
Memory Verse
“Therefore, welcome him in the Lord with great joy and hold people like him in honor.” Philippians 2:29 (CSB)
Devotional
Longing. Distress. Sorrow. Eager. Anxious. Joy.
For many, simply reading those words can be overwhelming. Right now, some may be triggered with an urge to bolt to the nearest golf course or dive head first into a four-hour Netflix binge complete with a large bowl brimming with four coordinating scoops of Mint Chocolate Chip. Others might find it easier to let words like these soak and percolate in their souls for a time. When I look at those words, I recall the overwhelming ups and downs of pregnancy. Especially when I was pregnant with my first, during much of those nine months together, I had a deep-set longing for my baby girl to get out of my body and into my arms. My daydreams were filled with eagerness as I imagined the color and twinkle of innocence in her eyes. As my due date approached, my eagerness turned anxious. I was ready to do anything for this tiny person I hadn’t even met, but at the same time, I was often filled with anxiety about the inevitable pain I would have to endure in order to hold her in my arms.
On the flip side, the joy of our long-awaited second pregnancy was unlike anything I’ve ever felt. However, in less than two months, that joy was siphoned and immediately replaced with an unavoidable sorrow upon sorrow of new life lost too soon. During both pregnancies following my miscarriage, I attended most OB appointments with a gnawing sense of distress. From the moment that cold glob of goo would hit my belly, I held my breath, longing for the thrashing whooshwhoosh-whooshwhoosh sound of my baby’s tiny heart song to fill my ears and for that familiar joy to fill my heart once again.
Pray and ask the Lord to let the words of this passage soak into your soul. Which character do you empathize with the most? Switch gears and consider the missionaries you may know. How can you support them as they experience some of these feelings from the mission field? After reflecting, does anything need to change about your role within the local church body and the “Big C” Church body as well?