THRIVE: LIVING IN REAL JOY

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THRIVE: LIVING IN REAL JOY

B I B L E S T U D I E S F O R L I F E 97

Don’t just survive. Thrive!

The Book of Philippians addresses many of our deepest questions.

Where can we find full and lasting joy? Look and listen to Paul. He radiated a contagious joy throughout his letter. Indeed, the happiest man in Rome was the apostle in prison! Paul reminds us that we don’t derive ultimate joy from comfortable circumstances, but from a living, vibrant communion with Christ. Joy isn’t about attaining more stuff; it’s about treasuring Christ more.

Where can we find meaning and purpose in life? Paul teaches us about a life worth living—and a death worth dying. He shows us the path to living this life by pointing us to Jesus, who provides the power and the example we need.

The Christian life isn’t an easy life, but it’s full. It’s joyful. It’s the kind of life you’ve always been looking for and always wanted to lead.

Of course, Jesus never promised us that life would be easy. But He did promise He would always be with us. And if He is with us, we have everything we need for joy and peace.

We can do more than just live as we follow Christ. We can thrive!

TON Y MERIDA

Tony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, N.C. He also serves as Associate Professor of Preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. He’s the author of several books, including Ordinary: How to Turn the World Upside Down.

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Thrive: Living in Real Joy

Session 1 Praying with Joy Philippians 1:3-11

Session 2 Sharing with Joy Philippians 1:12-21

Session 3 Following with Joy Philippians 2:1-11

Session 4 Growing with Joy Philippians 3:12-21

Session 5 Practicing Joy Philippians 4:4-9

Session 6 Giving with Joy Philippians 4:10-20

B I B L E S T U D I E S F O R L I F E 99B I B L E S T U D I E S F O R L I F E 99

The PointPrayer is an opportunity to experience joy.

The PassagePhilippians 1:3-11

The Bible Meets Life A few years back, Pharrell Williams launched the song “Happy” as a global sensation. But I wonder if

the people singing it then have remained happy over the years. These days, perhaps many of them

would prefer U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.”

Such people wouldn’t be alone in history. King Solomon, who had an abundance of wealth and

women, confessed: “Absolute futility. Everything is futile” (Eccl. 1:2). Alexander the Great is reported

to have wept in his tent saying, “There are no more worlds to conquer.” Tom Brady, after his third NFL

championship, remarked, “There’s got to be more than this.”

Where can we go to find full and lasting joy?

If you’re interested in finding the answer to this question, welcome to the Book of Philippians! This is a

letter full of joy—interestingly, one written by a man in prison.

The SettingThe apostle Paul had established the church at Philippi on his second missionary journey (see Acts 16).

It had not been one of the destinations he intended to visit, but after being prevented by God from

going to some of his intended destinations, and after a pleading dream, Paul and his traveling

companions arrived in the city. Then, near the end of his life and from a prison cell, Paul wrote to that

church the letter we will study.

SESSION 1

PRAYING WITH JOY

100 S e S S i o n 1

Philippians 1:3-113 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you,

4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer,

5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel.

8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment,

10 so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,

11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

Partnership in the gospel (v. 5)—Partnership indicates joint participation or cooperation in a specified activity. Elsewhere it is translated fellowship (see 2:1; 3:10), contribution (see Rom. 15:26), and sharing (see 1 Cor. 10:16).

The day of Christ Jesus (v. 6)—Unknown yet imminent time when Christ returns to the earth; reference to “the day of the Lord” is common in the Old Testament.

What does the Bible say?

Prayer is an opportunity to experience joy.THE POINT


Notes

Want to know about biblical culture, people, archaeology, and history? Biblical Illustrator has articles that tie to each session in this study at Lifeway.com/BI.

GET INTO THE STUDYLEADER PACK: Display Pack Item 9,

“Thrive,” to introduce the major theme of

this study, along with the specific focus of

each session.

DISCUSS: Question #1 on page 81 of the

PSG: “When has a personal letter or

note meant a lot to you?”

Note: Remind group members that they

don’t have to share any details they prefer

not to share when answering.

GUIDE: Direct group members to “The Bible Meets Life” on page 82 of the PSG.

Introduce the theme of finding true joy by reading or summarizing the text—or by

encouraging group members to read on their own.

GUIDE: Call attention to “The Point” at the top of page 82 of the PSG: “Prayer is an

opportunity to experience joy.”

ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): Supplement “The Point” for this session by inviting your

group to begin this study with an extended time of prayer. If your meeting space

allows for it, encourage everyone to stand together in a circle. Then, ask volunteers to

pray for the movement of God’s Spirit in the weeks to come. Also encourage group

members to lift up any requests or concerns that may be weighing them down and

limiting their capacity for joy.

Note: You can also lead your group in a more exuberant experience with a

“concert prayer.” In this method, encourage all group members to pray together at

the same time, lifting up a joyful noise to God.

PRAY: Transition into the study by asking the Holy Spirit to bless your group as you

study His Word.

TIP: When helpful, use this “Notes” column to record additional discussion questions, concepts, and activities that connect the study content with your specific group.

5 minutes

Notes

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10 minutes

Philippians 1:3-6

3 I give thanks to my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

READ: Philippians 1:3-6 on page 83 of the Personal Study Guide (PSG). Read the

text out loud or ask a volunteer to do so.

DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 83 of the PSG: “How would you describe the

difference between happiness and joy?”

GUIDE: Conclude your discussion of Question #2 by asking a volunteer to read

aloud the second paragraph on page 83 of the PSG.

SUMMARIZE: Help group members work through the remain points from pages

83-84 of the PSG.

1. “We find joy in knowing Christ deeply. This may sound cheesy or elementary,

but the secret to joy is in keeping our priorities arranged in this order: Jesus,

Others, and Yourself.”

2. “Notice that we don’t find Paul giving God thanks for things; Paul gave thanks

for people. Paul could see evidence of God’s grace in others and praised God

for His work in them.”

3. “As part of his prayer, Paul expressed gratitude for the believers in Philippi

whom he considered his partners in the gospel.”

4. “In verse 6, Paul gave another reason for his gratitude to God: confidence

in God’s nature and purposes. He was sure that God would continue—and

complete—the work He had started in the Philippian believers.”

TRANSITION: As we continue with verses 7-8, we’ll see a helpful example of

what it looks like to pray with joy even when circumstances are not ideal.

ALTERNATE QUESTION:Where do you currently see God’s “good work” in your life?

STUDY THE BIBLE



Philippians 1:3-6 Commentary

[Verse 3] Paul’s opening verses of remembrance and prayer are warm and personal. He looked back on his experiences at Philippi with thankfulness and joy. While his labors there were fraught with difficulties, his memories of the diverse people and their genuine faith undoubtedly brought a smile to his face.

From Paul’s ministry in Philippi, the Book of Acts introduces us to Lydia, a demon-possessed slave girl, and a Roman jailer—each of whom heard the words of Paul, believed, and followed Christ. Such a diverse population of individuals coming to faith in Jesus Christ and joining together to worship and serve Him so enthusiastically was cause for great thanksgiving (see Acts 16:14-34). It is understandable why Paul would give thanks to my God each time he remembered them.

[Verse 4] These powerful memories caused Paul’s prayers for the Philippian believers to be filled with joy, a characteristic feature of this epistle. In fact, the wording indicates that the Philippians formed the very basis of Paul’s thanksgiving. The entire body of memories brought thanksgiving and infused his prayers for them with joy. This joy was in spite of his current circumstances and past hurts. It was directly connected to the people with whom he had labored and suffered. We pray with greater intensity and regularity for people and causes that bring us joy.

[Verse 5] Paul’s joy was rooted in the Philippians’ partnership in spreading the gospel. This partnership involved believers joining together in the saving power of good news and the spread of its message. The Philippian church had contributed to Paul’s efforts in spreading the gospel. The word translated “partnership” is most often rendered “fellowship.” It means shared communication, distribution, and contributions (see Acts 2:42-47). All believers are to participate together in the saving power and message of the good news as the Philippians did.

[Verse 6] As Paul wrote of his confidence in God’s work in the Philippians, he glanced backward to their salvation and forward to the completion of their character at the day of Christ Jesus. Because he had been present when God started His good work of salvation in the Philippian believers, he was sure God would carry it on to completion according to His divine plan and timetable. Paul could pray with joy and thankfulness because he knew God was working among the Philippian believers, and His work would end in the maturity of His church.

The day of Christ Jesus characterized Paul’s thoughts. He recognized the bodily return of Jesus as the consummation of God’s plan for His redeemed. Jesus will appear to receive His people to Himself. God’s work in us will continue until the end of our lives or until Jesus returns.

The settled confidence expressed in verse 6 stems directly from the fellowship of the intercession of verse 4. Paul’s joyful and frequent prayers for the Philippian church had produced a rich dividend of ongoing spiritual maturity and faith. No wonder his memories and prayers were filled with joy!

Notes

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15 minutes

ALTERNATE QUESTION:When have you connected with others through a shared ministry experience?

Philippians 1:7-8

7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and establishment of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

READ: Philippians 1:7-8 on page 84 of the PSG.

GUIDE: Use the third and fourth paragraphs on page 105 of this Leader Guide to

explain the legal terms Paul used in these verses.

SUMMARIZE: Help group members walk through the major points from pages

84 and 86 of the PSG.

1. “Here we see the great emotion and warmth Paul had for the church. It’s not

enough to learn Paul’s theology and disciplines; we also need to see how the

truths he taught were evident in his life.”

2. “Paul rejoiced because the Philippians displayed their partnership in loyalty to

Paul and the mission. They not only supported Paul as he shared the gospel,

but they also supported him in prayer and with financial support during his

imprisonment.”

3. “Paul was united to Christ, and because of this unity, he shared Christ’s love for

the church. This is a deep love that goes far beyond sentiment. It’s a love we

can experience, as well.”

DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 84 of the PSG: “What are some obstacles

that hinder us from building deeper relationships?”

DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 86 of the PSG: “How can our group life help

us build the kind of relationships Paul described in these verses?”

TRANSITION: Let’s move to verses 9-11, where we’ll find a helpful example of

praying for the spiritual growth of others.

STUDY THE BIBLE




[Verse 7] Paul’s joyful remembrances and earnest prayers for the Philippians were entirely proper and correct, as they stemmed from his deep love for them. The phrase I have you in my heart could just as accurately be rendered “you have me in your heart.” Either translation demonstrates a strong mutual love forged in faith and trials.

It’s obvious that Paul and the Philippian believers shared this bond from their troublesome experiences in giving birth to the church in their city. They were indeed partners who had both experienced God’s grace and showed it in their actions to others. “Grace” is defined as both God’s unmerited favor toward sinners and His divine influence upon the heart. Grace in turn reflects in the life of the believer. The Philippians reciprocated Paul’s love and demonstrated God’s grace by not abandoning or disowning Paul because of his imprisonment. They sent Epaphroditus to his jail with financial support.

The Philippians were thus gracious partners in his imprisonment and stood with him in his defense and establishment of the gospel. These are legal terms, essentially official language from a formal defense. The first is a judicial term for an attorney presenting a verbal defense. Paul had presented himself and the gospel to various groups and political officials in Palestine: the rioting crowds (see Acts 22:1‑22), the Jewish Sanhedrin (see 23:1‑10), Governor Felix (see 24:1‑21), Drusilla (see vv. 24‑26), Festus (see 25:4‑12), and King Agrippa and Bernice (see 26:1‑32). Indeed, his presence in Rome was for yet another official hearing. It’s possible he had already had a preliminary inquiry before Caesar, predating his letter to the Philippians. His experience at defending his actions and the gospel message was vast, but his efforts were made easier by knowing he had loving support.

[Verse 8] Paul’s love and longing for the Philippians was a distinctly Christian tie to which God Himself could bear witness. “Witness” refers to one who bears testimony. It’s the word from which we get our English word “martyr.” Paul could solemnly appeal to God to testify of his love for the Philippian believers. Affection is a word referring to the region of the heart, lungs, and intestines. This was thought to be the very seat of human emotion. And yet, it was not with merely a human love that Paul longed after his brethren, but with the very love of Christ Jesus. The supernatural love of God was felt by Paul for the Philippian believers.

Paul could pray with joy over what had been accomplished in the past, but he could also pray with joy for the Philippians’ current stand with him as he suffered for and defended the good news of the gospel. Standing alone is supremely difficult, but it is not necessary. (See Eccl. 4:7‑12 for an example; also, study the “one another” commands of the New Testament for great practical teaching on this important truth.)

God has designed and commanded His church to stand together. When believers labor together in prayer for the work of God in our world, we become joyful witnesses to supernatural and God‑sized results.

Notes

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10 minutes

ALTERNATE QUESTION:What steps can we take to grow in knowledge and discernment?

Philippians 1:9-11

9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.

DO: Direct group members to complete the activity “Give Thanks” on page 85 of

the PSG. If time permits, encourage volunteers to share what they can do to make

giving thanks a more prominent part of their lives.

Giving thanks to God is a great way to experience joy in your prayers. Use the space

below to record five blessings that have brightened your life this year.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

What steps can you take to make giving thanks a more prominent part of your

prayer life?

READ: Philippians 1:9-11 on page 87 of the PSG.

RECAP: Call attention to the first paragraph on page 87 of the PSG:

A Christ-centered love grows in “knowledge and every kind of discernment.”

Knowledge asks the question, “What is right?” Discernment asks the question,

“What is best?” Love leads us to live out what is both right and best. In short, a

mature Christian is both biblically informed and deeply affectionate.

DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 87 of the PSG: “Why are both knowledge

and discernment necessary ingredients for loving others?”

STUDY THE BIBLE




[Verse 9] We pray only the best for those whom we truly love. Notice Paul did not ask for riches or worldly prosperity for those at Philippi, although it seems they were poor (see 2 Cor. 8:1‑5). He knew spiritual blessings are more important and valuable—and much more enduring. Having witnessed firsthand their love (agape, sacrificial love), he prayed for it to continue growing. This selfless brand of love given wholly to benefit others would be best guided by knowledge (gained by experience) and tempered by an enlarging understanding of God. This was not an intellectual knowledge from deductive reasoning, but a relational knowledge gained through the experience of loving others.

This love would also be guided by every kind of discernment. This refers to a sense of moral perception and delicate sensibility that allows us to express our love appropriately. Christian love is not a raging flood of uncontrolled emotion overflowing its banks; instead, it is a powerful, guided stream that, within its banks, benefits all who approach its shores. The love and judgment Paul espoused here were those seen in Christ as the ultimate example.

[Verse 10] With this kind of maturing love, the Philippian believers could approve (prove or test) everything they heard and experienced. Greeks used this word to describe candidates who had successfully completed their examinations and become doctors of medicine. It indicates the ability to sift or test by trial to recognize worth and therefore render a stamp of approval (see Rom. 12:2, “discern”). Here, the term suggests maturing believers determine correct moral conduct and values. They do so in order that their lives will be pure and blameless.

[Verse 11] This growing and discerning love would result in a growing character. Filled (perfectly supplied) is in a tense here meaning past action that bears on the present. Fruit is a harvest of evidence of the righteousness of Christ. The righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ is a harvest of morality and Christian character that glorifies and reveals God. This is a product of our relationship with Christ and His transforming work in us through the Holy Spirit (see Gal. 5:22‑23). We have been filled with the evidence of Christ’s imputed righteousness as a result of the ongoing work of God in us.

The idea and future reality of the day of Christ characterized Paul’s thoughts. Paul was not alone in his preoccupation with it (see 2 Pet. 3:10‑13). God’s work in us and our cooperation with Him is to continue throughout our lifetimes, so at its end we will not be ashamed at Christ’s coming. Paul viewed every aspect of salvation as the handiwork of God’s grace and an offering to God’s glory. The chief end of people is the glory of God. Therefore, the glory and praise belong to God, not to us.

Paul’s joyful prayer for his Philippian brethren was for a discerning love that correctly chooses God’s best for them and for others.

Notes

108 S e S S i o n 1

LIVE IT OUTGUIDE: Direct group members to page 88 of the

PSG. Encourage group members to consider these

suggestions for incorporating joy into their prayers.

> Cultivate gratefulness. Take time each

day to count your blessings. As you pray

and thank God for all He’s done for you, let

His joy fill your heart and be seen as you

serve others.

> Memorize Philippians 1:6. It’s hard to be joyful when praying about a

difficult matter, but Philippians 1:6 is a reminder that God is at work even

when we don’t yet see the result.

> Partner with others. Join with others to pray about your lives and your

opportunities to serve God and others. Emphasize the importance of joy each

time you pray together.

Wrap It Up

TRANSITION: Read or restate the Conclusion from page 88 of the PSG:

Don’t buy into the lie that joy depends on your present circumstances. Paul

wrote his joyful letter to the Philippians (and prayed his joyful prayers) while

being persecuted in a Roman prison. Choose today to seek the unshakable joy

that is only available through Christ.

PRAY: Conclude by expressing joy at the privilege of connecting with God through

prayer. Commit to taking advantage of that opportunity in the days to come.

5 minutes

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THRIVE: LIVING IN REAL JOY

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