5. Be discrete. Don't give out your e-mail address or share things too personal.

Okay, you're ready to begin. Why don't you register for the Forum if you haven't already, and
then introduce yourself to others in this study.
http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=72&t=304

So far we have sign-ups from more than 70 countries. Enjoy getting acquainted.

Yours in Christ Jesus,

Pastor Ralph

P.S. E-mail has been unreliable these days with so much spam -- Internet Service Providers
are sometimes overzealous in filtering out our Bible studies. If you are missing a study, you
may find all the studies linked to http://www.jesuswalk.com/philippians/philippians.htm But
please don't get ahead on the Forum just because you have the lessons. Thanks.

Introduction to Philippians

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson

http://www.jesuswalk.com/philippians/0_intro.htm

Audio Version (14:16)

For a short letter of only four chapters and 104 verses, Paul's Letter to the Philippians is
amazingly profound. At one level it is a poignant epistle from a jailed apostle to a beloved
supporting church. At another level it contains an exhilarating hymn of Christ's humility and
exaltation, a glimpse into Paul's intense passion to know Christ, and a discerning reflection
on prayer and the peace it brings.

The City of Philippi

The letter was written to Christians in the Macedonian city of Philippi. Its history goes back
to 361 BC, when a number of Greek settlers took over the obscure Thracian village of
Krenides ("springs"). Philip II of Macedon, the Father of Alexander the Great, annexed the
whole region in 356 BC and formally established Philippi as a city bearing his own name. It
was fortified with an extensive city wall, part of which still survives. A garrison stationed
there made it a military strong point to guard gold from the nearby mines, which enriched
Philip by 1000 talents of gold each year.