Servants, Saints, and Salutations

“Discovering UnExpected Joy”
A Study in the Book of Philippians

Application Questions for Week 2

Great movements of God often begin in
seemingly insignificant ways!

1. How did Paul view himself and Timothy? Although this idea is counter-cultural today, as it was in Paul’s day, why is it important to reflect upon? How do you view yourself? Whom do you serve and what does that mean? Who is in charge?

2. To whom was Paul writing? What is a saint? When you reflect upon this, can you know if you are a saint or not? Explain.

3. What is the significance of the use of the phrase “all the saints in Christ Jesus in Philippi”? What is the importance of church membership as opposed to a more private understanding of faith?

4. What two offices/roles do we see within the church from this passage and what are their differences? See also Acts 6:1-7; I Timothy 3; I Peter 5.

5. What two divine blessings did the Apostle Paul confer upon the saints and on the overseers and deacons? What does the word grace mean? What does the word peace mean?

6. What does the opening greeting teach us about how our speech can bless or hurt others? Reflect on your manner of speech. Is your speech gospel-centered? Is it characteristic for your speech to bless others and build them up or does it wrongly tear down? Prayerfully ask the Lord for specific and practical ways you can bless others (spouse, parent, child, friend, co-worker, Sunday School teacher, deacon, elder, etc.)