Philippians 2:1-11: Week Five

Hello Ladies,

This week we begin chapter two of our study. A new chapter and a new month also means a new memory verse. I couldn't decide on just one so I am posting two and you can decide which one you would like to commit to memory. They are:

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Philippians 2:3

OR

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…”

Philippians 2:14 & 15

Here is the attachment for you to download and/or print of this weeks information and assignments:
Philippians Study Mo.2 Wk.5


This week I chose to focus a bit on Philippians 2:3&4 encouraging us, as Paul does, to live with humble attitudes. I also touch on Philippians 2:6-11 and how it, again, points us back to the beauty of the Gospel.

Lifting all of you up in prayer this week and during this season as we prepare our hearts to grieve the Lord's sacrifice in our place and ultimately celebrate His victorious resurrection!

In Christ,
 Megan

Philippians 1:19-30: Week Four

Hello Ladies,

This is our final week in chapter one. I hope that this study has been a blessing for you thus far. I'm welcome to any feedback that you have that would make this format more helpful for you or others.


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Here is the attachment for you to download and/or print of this weeks information and assignments: Philippians Study Mo.1 Wk.4

In our study this week we focus on what Paul means when he says "to die is gain." We also touch a bit on suffering and the significance it holds in the believers life. The Lord was no stranger to suffering during His time on earth and He has purpose for the suffering that we experience in life.

He is a good God.


Our group discussion question is:

  Do you have any words of wisdom or are there any instances where some one genuinely encouraged you during a hard season in life that you could share with the rest of us that we might be better equipped to lift up those around us?

I may not know what trials you are facing today, but I do know that they do not come to you outside of God's sovereign and loving hand. I am praying for each and everyone of you that you will lean into Him and His promises when you find yourself in the valley's of life.

In Christ,

Megan

Philippians 1:12-18: Week Three

Hello again!

I would like to begin this week with a Psalm of praise.

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love."

 

Psalm 103: 1-8



 

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Here is the attachment for you to download and/or print of this weeks information and assignments: Philippians Study Mo.1 Wk.3


So far, I have found Paul's continual focus of gospel advancement and concern for others to be equally convicting and encouraging. And so that is a bit of what we're focusing on this week.

This week's discussion question I took from the Philippians study by Ryan Kelly and I think it's a good one:

Paul says that his imprisonment for Christ has actually made some believers more "confident" and "much more bold to speak the word without fear" (v.14). This may seem counterintuitive. Why would persecution of one Christian produce courage in others?

Praying for you, as always.

Anchored in Christ,

Megan

Philippians 1:1-11: Week Two

Hello Ladies!

This week we are focusing a bit on joy and so we'll start again with a portion of a Puritan Prayer that is titled Joy.

O Christ,

All thy ways of mercy tend to and end in my delight.

Thou did weep, sorrow, suffer that I might rejoice. For my joy thou has sent the Comforter,

multiplied thy promises, shown me my future happiness, given me a living fountain...

If I weep at night, give me joy in the morning. Let me rest in the thought of thy love,

pardon for my sin, my title to heaven, my future unspotted state.

I am an unworthy recipient of thy grace, I often disesteem thy blood and slight thy love,

but can in repentance draw water from the wells of thy joyous forgiveness.

Let my heart leap towards the eternal sabbath, where the work of redemption, sanctification, preservation, glorification is finished and perfected forever,

where thou wilt rejoice over me with joy...

The Valley of Vision, 1975

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Here is the attachment for you to download and/or print of this weeks information and assignments: Philippians Study Mo.1 Wk.2

The amount of reading is much shorter this week. I hope that by focusing on just a few verses our study is richer and we can really dedicate time to more reflection because, I believe, Paul's message to the Philippians has so much power for us today.

This week's discussion question (which I've answered below!) is:

   In Tim Keller's commentary on the gospel he says it is, "the way we make all progress in the kingdom."  How do you believe the truth of the gospel affects our sanctification?


Praying for you. Please don't hesitate to contact Sarah or I with any prayer requests or needs you may have.

In Christ,

Megan

Philippians Overview: Week One

Hello lovely Ladies! Welcome to week one!

Before diving into this week's study I would like to start off with one of my favorite Puritan Prayers called the Valley of Vision.

Lord, high and holy, meek and lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision, where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights; hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory. Let me learn by paradox that the way down is up, that to be low is to be high, that the broken heart is the healed heart,

that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit, that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,

that to have nothing is to possess all, that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,

 that to give is to receive, that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,

and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

 Let me find thy light in my darkness, thy life in my death, thy joy in my sorrow,

thy grace in my sin, thy riches in my poverty, thy glory in my valley.

The Valley of Vision, 1975  

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Here is the attachment for you to download and/or print of this weeks information and assignments:
Philippians Study Mo.1 Wk.1

Week one focuses on a brief introduction to the book of Philippians and therefore has a little more reading than we will have normally. The main purpose of this week is to provide history and context, and a general understanding of the themes that occur throughout this epistle.

Our memory verse of the month is Philippians 1:6 which says:

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

You'll see in the assignments that I encourage you to read through the book of Philippians in one sitting (and ideally a couple times in the week). I *promise* this is the most reading I'll suggest in a week and it is because doing so helps you get a good idea of the purpose of Paul's letter to the Philippians so that you can better understand specific verses in light of the entire message.

This weeks discussion question (to be posted in the comments, if you wish to participate) is:

    From your reading this week, what particular message or theme stood out to you that you feel women in the church today need to hear the most?

As we start this study please know that we are continuing to pray for you. If you have trouble with the link please let me know and I can email you the document directly. I can also print copies and bring them to church on Sunday if you would like a printed copy but do not have access to a printer.

Anchored in Christ,

Megan