“PARTNERS”
October 11, 2015 (Thanksgiving!)
Conversation Starters
- Talk about your experience on Sunday morning.
- How did God speak to you this week?
- Did you meet anyone new?
- What is one thing that you are thankful to God for this Thanksgiving (be as specific & personal as possible).
- Before discussing the message, spend some time in prayer as a group. Thank God for all of the things you just shared with one another.
- Read Philippians 1:1-11 together.
- What particular phrases or words jump out at you from this passage? Why?
- Paul’s ‘default mode’ was to be overwhelmingly thankful for and loving towards the Philippian church (v. 3-8). What is your ‘default mode’ when you think of the Church (i.e. Gratitude? Cynicism? Love? Indifference?)? (Hint: remember that the “Church” is the people of God, not just an organization or institution.)
- What do you think this reveals about you?
- What is your ‘default mode’ when you think of other relationships and/or settings? (i.e. your spouse, your children, your job)
- What do you think it would it take for us to grow towards having the same ‘default mode’ as Paul (to be overwhelmingly thankful and loving)?
- Paul was so thankful for the Philippians church because they were his “partners in spreading the Good News about Christ.” (v. 5)
- How does seeing ourselves as “partners in the Gospel” have the potential to unite us as a church? Why is this so important?
- Ultimately, Paul’s prayer for the Philippian church was that their “love will overflow more and more” (v. 9).
- How does an ‘overflowing love’ have the potential to shape us and unite us as a church? What does this look like in practical terms?
- What is one way you can allow God’s love to ‘overflow’ from your life this week? Be as specific as possible.
- Spend some time praying for the needs of everyone in the group. And pray for our church, that God would unite us together as “Partners in the Gospel.”
