LETTERS FROM PAUL BLOG

Christ holds it all together, His Power and Grace
Read this section and write down all the things that God has done for you (i.e. rescued us).
Cool assignment – Re-read Colossians 1:15-18 and then watch a You Tube video. Search for Louie Giglio and lamanin. Well worth 10 minutes. Trust me.
If you received Christ by grace (2:6), why do some choose to live differently, by works? How do you live?

Finding Joy
What is God’s antidote for anxiety?
What do you spend the most time thinking about?
How does that match the characteristics in Philippians 4:8?
Do you really believe Philippians 4:13?
The Christians at Philippi learned Paul’s secret of contentment and it drove their giving. What drives your giving? What keeps you from giving?

Living Life on Purpose
When have you put confidence in the flesh? Do you still do it?
Re-read Colossians 3:10-11. I like to think of this as Paul’s mission statement. What is your personal mission?
Thinking back over Paul’s life, what did he have to forget? What do you?

Both of these letters were written by Paul most likely while he was in prison in Rome. While he had experienced dungeons, jails, beatings and hunger, this was most likely house arrest. He made the most of his time thinking and sharing Christ with everyone he met. It obviously transformed his heart. Even in the midst of a loss of freedom, he still was filled with indescribable joy. In fact, the word joy is used 16 times in Philippians alone in 4 short chapters. He had discovered the great secret that Christ is the only way to die and the best way to live. That joy, peace, life can be yours too.

Attitude is Everything
Who do you share a spiritual connection with? Have you thanked them recently?
When have you seen something good come from something “bad?”
How do people describe your attitude? How does it match with the description of Jesus’ attitude in Philippians 2:6-11?
What does it mean to “work out your salvation?” (Philippians 2:12)

In this section Paul introduces, predestination. It is good to notice that he anticipates it will be a comfort to his readers? How is predestination comforting? Could you think of a way it would be discomforting? Remember this: you know you are one of the chosen, because you want to be one of the chosen.

Notice that the statement “God is just” precedes the verses regarding God’s final punishment and everlasting destruction.  How does the justice of God necessitate punishment? Notice also the second half of v.6. God is also motivated by defense of his own people. What do you feel when you think that Jesus is coming back, you will see him and he will right every wrong done to you or around you?

What do you think about Paul’s encouragement to “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life?” Is this what you would expect Paul to tell people? What does a “quiet life” mean to you? Does that match up with vv. 11-12? Does a quiet life sound appealing? Does your life look like this now? What changes would you have to make to line up with these verses?

Read v.8 again. What do you think it means when Paul says “we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” Have you ever had a friend “share their life” with you? How about a brother or sister 10 the faith? How does that help in being the church? Do you have a friend to share your life with?

Paul visited Thessalonica during his second missionary Journey (Acts 17. 1-9). He was forced to leave the city because the Jews were stirring up opposition and inciting persecution; apparently this continued in his absence (1Thess. 2.14-15).  He wrote both letters almost back to back in 50 and 51 A.D. mostly likely from Corinth. The thrust of both letters is that the believers ought to remember that they have been picked for an eternity with God. This will affect how they approach their life. It will help the Be the Church in their context.

Following are readings to bring you through the two letters in one week, with some questions to jog your thinking.

1 Thess. 1.1-10 - I really like vv. 2-3. Paul describes the work he is thankful they are producing and the healthiest motivation for that work. Take a minute and consider the correlations: work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope. How does faith lead to good works? How does love lead to labor for others? How does hope inspire endurance through life’s challenges? Are you seeing the same fruit in your life?