INTRO: This week’s Bible Lesson turns from the focus on Paul’s suffering in prison for preaching the gospel of Jesus to reasons Paul gives for thanksgiving and prayer despite such challenges which are also facing Philippian and Colossian believers. Note this emphasis in the suggested Memory Verse for this week’s lesson from Philippians Chapter 1, verse 6, “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Q: When Paul reminds his readers of the “good work” God has begun in them, to what work “in them” is he referring? Is it individual or communal or both? What does Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer as his letter begins reveal about the “good news” of Jesus Christ?

Q: Paul seems to imply in verses 9 and 10 that “choices” made by believers are important when looking forward to the return of Jesus. What “fruit of the Spirit “ is behind these choices (see Galatians 5:22-23)? Why is this kind of “fruit” such a powerful motivator for following Jesus?

Q: How does God produce spiritual “fruit” in us by giving us the Holy Spirit? What does that tell us about God’s graciousness and mercy toward us? What are some of the practical outcomes of God’s “work in” us?

Q: The lesson quotes James and Peter stating, “it is the power of God working through the word that gives birth to spiritual life in a person” (James 1:18, 1 Pet. 1:23), making them a “new creature” in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). As followers of Jesus, what kinds of spiritual transformation does the Holy Spirit produce in our lives and characters?

CLOSING SIDEBAR:

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.”
— Philippians 1:3–5 (NKJV)

“When we learn to read the story of Jesus and see it as the story of the love of God, doing for us what we could not do for ourselves — that insight produces, again and again, a sense of astonished gratitude which is very near the heart of authentic Christian experience. The gospel does not leave us where it finds us, but reshapes the whole of life — including our relationships with one another. The way of Jesus turns us towards a community of thanksgiving and praise, where each partner in the gospel grows in love for God and neighbour.”
— N. T. Wright, Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church

“God’s idea of redemption is community-shaped. Grace is both a place and a power. Grace is when you turn your worst enemy into your best friend. Grace takes people as they are and makes them what they can be. Grace ennobles; grace empowers. Grace forgives; grace frees. Grace transcends, and grace transforms.”
— Scot McKnight, A Fellowship of Differents: Showing the World God’s Design for Life Together

Paul’s thanksgiving is rooted in his confidence that God is already active within the community of believers. Gratitude reshapes how the church sees itself, not as a collection of isolated individuals, but as partners in God’s saving work. Prayer becomes the space where unity is nurtured, as believers learn to rejoice together in what God has begun and trust Him to bring it to completion.

NEXT WEEK, we’ll look at another theme in Paul’s two letters, “Life and Death.” My thanks to Naomi Cueto and Faith Montes, our program engineers, and to all of you for listening in. Until next time, for the “Good Word,” I’m Phil Muthersbaugh.