Diving into Philippians- Week 1 Philippians 1:1-2 introduction

WEEK 1

Day 1 Overview
Pray Lord, bless this time reading your Word today. Help me focus on your truth. Find the book of Philippians in your Bible. **Hint: In the front of your Bible, you will find a Table of Contents- Philippians is in the New Testament- after Ephesians & before Colossians. **If you do not have a Bible, you can read Philippians online try out BibleGateway.com, eBible, and/or BibleStudyTools.com ~ simply choose which translation you would like to use [I usually choose ESV- a word-for-word translation, NLT- a clear, readable theme-for theme translation, NIV 1984- a combination of word-for-word and theme-for-theme, and/or my newest translation, the CSB- a word-for-word translation in modern English.] and type Philippians in the search box. Read the book of Philippians all four chapters. (Yes, ALL of it! This should take you about 20 minutes from start to finish TRY to do it in one sitting. Remember, this is just an overview, so dont get hung up on any one word or passage just yet; well dive in deeper in the weeks to come. You can do it!!) Find a journal (a notebook, or scrap pieces of paper would work just fine) and write down any quick comments/questions/observations you have. Also, feel free to write right in your Bible! Meditate on what youve learned the rest of the day.

Day 2 Background
Pray God, Help us to focus on You! Read Philippians 1:1-2 taking note that Philippians is an epistle (thats a fancy name for a letter). Answer these questions (Check in a study Bible in the introduction to Philippians, a Bible dictionary, or go to BibleStudyTools.com- where they have Bible dictionaries & encyclopedias that you can search in- as well as the introduction as found in the NIV Study Bible.) o Who wrote Philippians? o Who was it written to? o Where were the authors and the recipients located? o When was it written? Read Philippians in a different translation from Day 1 (out loud if possible!)- write down any notes.
Diving into Philippians - OurFamilyForHisGlory.blogspot.com

Diving into Philippians- Week 1

Day 3 History

Philippians 1:1-2 introduction

Pray God, open our eyes to your perfect, sovereign plan as we read of Pauls journey. Read Philippians 1:1-2. Yesterday, we found out that Paul wrote the book of Philippians to the believers in Philippi. Find the account of Pauls first visit to Philippi in Acts, and read that passage. {Hint- its in Acts 16} o Who did he meet there? o What happened while he was there? o What does this teach you about the church at Philippi? Write down observations. Listen to Philippians sometime today- you can find {free} options at BibleSudyTools.com, BibleGateway.com, and FaithComesByHearing.com - or, have someone read it to you.

Day 4 Purpose
Pray Lord, open our hearts and minds to Your purpose and truth in Philippians. Yesterday we read of Pauls first encounter with the people in Philippi, and how he started the church there. Today, lets get an idea of his purpose in writing this letter. Read the book of Philippians in yet another translation. o Take note of key words and phrases. (Which words/themes are repeated often?) o Take note of the feeling of the book. o Write out the structure in your journal. (In most Bibles you will find Philippians broken up into sections look for the titles of those sections (in bold or italicized writing), or better yet- come up with your own titles.) If you have time, notice if your Bible (or BibleStudyTools.com) lists the purpose of Philippianscompare/contrast with your own observations.

Day 5 Application
Pray. Read Philippians all the way through one more time highlight favorite verses along the way. Ponder these questions o What truths have you recognized? o How does this apply to your life? In your journal or in the margins of your Bible- summarize what you have learned so far. Thank God for all He is teaching you! Share what you are learning with someone else. (Wed love to hear your thoughts at OurFamilyForHisGlory.blogspot.com.)

Extra
Read and compare other epistles of Paul Romans, 1&2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1&2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. Listen to a sermon on Philippians DesiringGod.org is a good place to start. Memorize Philippians 1:2. Join us at Our Family for His Glory with your family, as we dive into Philippians during Family {Bible} Time!!
Diving into Philippians - OurFamilyForHisGlory.blogspot.com