Whine or Shine?

Discovering UnExpected Joy
“Whine or Shine?”
Philippians 2:12-18
Application Questions for Week 10

Great movements of God often begin in
seemingly insignificant ways!

1. Read Philippians 2:12-13. The thrust of this exhortation is to grow up or mature in our Christian walk. When a person is saved we say that they have been justified with God (declared right with Him), when a Christian is in the process of growing/maturing in the faith we say that they are being sanctified. With that in mind, what does it mean to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling?” How would you explain to someone the difference between “working for salvation” and “working out salvation”?

2. Who is to blame for failure to grow in the Christian faith? Who is responsible for success in our growth? What are some of the practical dangers if we camp too hard on either God’s sovereignty or human responsibility in salvation?

3. What makes grumbling and questioning motives (arguing) so dangerous to the Christian community (verse 14)? If you’re in a bad situation (work, home, etc.), is it wrong to complain to those in charge? To complain to a friend?

4. What would be a biblical manner to approach a concern with another person in the church (or even to take a concern/complaint to God, such as we might see in the Psalms)? Why is affirming the sovereignty of God in all things so important in learning to live with joy rather than with grumbling?

5. The idea of being perfect can make some Christians discouraged as they realize they fall short far too often. How would you use verse 15 to encourage a fellow believer who is being too hard on themselves? What does it mean to be blameless? What does it mean to shine as light? In what ways might you shine brighter and punch holes in this dark world (rather than grumble about it)?

6. What is the connection between sacrificial love and service towards others, and joy (verses17-18)? In what ways might you prayerfully begin to serve more sacrificially?