Examples of Humble Joy

As Paul is calling the Philippian church to joy and humility in Christ (2:3-5), he first pointed them to the example of Christ and showed them how the humble king lived his life as a servant and put the good of others first. Paul has also noted how though he is in the midst of prison, and may even be put to death, he is still spending each day he is given to know Christ and to build up the body of Christ as an example of a faithful gospel witness. Paul is an example of the joy in Christ that he wants the Philippians to know.

In Philippians 2:19-30, Paul gives two examples of what this kind of joy-filled, humble, servanthood, gospel-advancing life with Christ looks like. He doesn’t want the Philippians to think this kind of gospel-living is only for Christ, and for apostles, but living as a disciple of Christ should look normal for every person who has been saved by the grace of God. To help us with this, he will use some biography, highlighting the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus. Each of these men are dear friends of Paul, gospel partners, who he loves and cherishes. There are three things we will look at in the lives of Timothy and Epaphroditus as examples of disciples worth emulating. First, they lived to know joy in Christ, second, they committed to love the local church, and finally, they work to advance the gospel.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Who has been an example to you of humble joy in Christ?
2. What is the connection between love for Christ and commitment to the local church?
3. Is there someone specific you can set an example for? Someone you know that you might disciple more intentionally?
4. Who is one person you need to share the gospel with?

PRAYER

Pray that our church would be filled with examples of humble joy. Pray that God would provide future leadership for us that would be models and encouragers of this as well.

Pray for the one person mentioned, that they might come to saving faith in Christ.