Discussion Questions for October 22, 2017

Philippians 2:12-18

What does it mean?

1. How is Paul continuing the big idea from Philippians 1:1-2:11?

2. How might “work out your own salvation” be misinterpreted? How does it fit into this passage?

3. Why does Paul use the words “fear and trembling”? Why might those words be significant?

4. What does Paul mean when he uses the phrase “shine as lights”?

5. What does Paul mean by “so that I didn’t run in vain”? What is he connecting that idea to?

6. What does Paul mean when he talks about pouring himself out as a “drink offering”?

7. Is Paul asking the Philippians to put in effort? How does effort fit into the equation of salvation?

8. What is the “word of life”? Why does Paul want them to cling to it?

9. What is the big idea of Philippians 2:12-17

How does it apply?

1. What would it look like to experience more ‘fear and trembling?’ How can we live more consistently with an appreciation of the miracle of our ongoing spiritual transformation (OST)?

2. If effort is such a big deal to Paul, what would it look like for us to put in more effort in our every day experience in this journey of OST?

3. How do I determine the level of effort I’m putting into this journey, or whether I’m simply floating along? Who are the people in my life that I can ask this week to help make me more aware of the blind spots I may have in my OST?

4. What role does going beyond our church walls, into the world, play in this understanding of working out your salvation? What are those areas of ‘the world’ for you?

5. When I encounter difficult circumstances, what emotions would reflect a heart that desires to hold fast to the word of life? What does that holding fast to the word of life look like day to day?