Bible
Lessons from Philippians
9 lessons
You Choose First: Abram and LotGenesis 13:1-18; Genesis 12:7; Philippians 2:3-8; Galatians 3:16Abram and his nephew Lot had so many sheep, goats and cattle that the land couldn't hold them both, and their herdsmen started fighting. Abram, the older man God had made a promise to, could have taken the best land. Instead he said, "Let there be no fighting between us. You choose first." Lot looked out, saw the green, well-watered Jordan plain and took it for himself. Then God told Abram to look north, south, east and west – "All the land that you see, I will give to you." We can be generous and let others go first, because God has promised to take care of us.Old TestamentGenerosity
Big Feelings: Taking Them to GodBig Feelings: WorryGenesis 32:3-21; Genesis 33:1-11; Philippians 4:6-7; Luke 15:20Jacob was going home after twenty years, and his brother Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men. Jacob was "greatly afraid and distressed." He made worried plans. But then he prayed. He thanked God, reminded himself of God's promises and asked for help. And when Esau came, he ran to Jacob and hugged him! Worry is a big feeling we can take to God. When we pray with thanks, God gives His peace to guard our hearts.Old TestamentPeace
Fruit of the SpiritFruit of the Spirit: GentlenessNumbers 12:1-16; Matthew 11:28-30; Proverbs 15:1; Philippians 4:5Miriam and Aaron complained about their brother Moses and said, "Hasn't God spoken through us too?" Moses didn't argue or defend himself. God defended him, and when Miriam got sick, Moses' only words were a prayer to heal her. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus is gentle with us, so His Spirit helps us use our strength gently, even when people are hard on us.Old TestamentGentleness
The Gates of JerusalemThe Gates of Jerusalem: The Dung GateNehemiah 3:14; Nehemiah 2:13; Nehemiah 12:31; Philippians 3:7-9; 1 John 1:9The Dung Gate was Jerusalem's garbage gate. Every day, trash was carried out through it. A city leader named Malchijah rebuilt it himself. At the wall's big celebration, a choir marched toward the Dung Gate singing thanks to God! Our sins are like trash that piles up inside us. We can't clean ourselves up. When we turn to God and tell Him our sins, He forgives us and takes them away because of Jesus.Old TestamentRepentance
The Gates of JerusalemThe Gates of Jerusalem: Back to the Sheep GateNehemiah 4:1-6; Nehemiah 6:15-16; Nehemiah 3:32; Jeremiah 31:38-40; 1 Peter 2:4-5; Philippians 1:6When God's people rebuilt the wall, their enemies laughed. "Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?" But the people prayed and kept building. In just 52 days, the wall was finished! Even the enemies knew God had done it. The walk around the wall ended right back at the Sheep Gate, where it began. God brings burnt stones back to life. Jesus makes us living stones, and He never gives up on us. So we don't give up either.Old TestamentPerseverance
With Building BricksCounting the Cost: The Tower BuilderLuke 14:25-33; Matthew 10:37; John 19:30; Hebrews 12:1-2; Philippians 1:6Huge crowds were following Jesus, and He turned and told them what following Him really means – loving Him most of all and carrying their cross. Then He told a story. "Which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and count the cost to see if he has enough to finish it?" If he only laid the foundation, everyone would laugh – "This man couldn't finish what he started!" Following Jesus is worth everything, so we count the cost and keep going. And Jesus Himself counted the cost of saving us and finished the job on the cross.New TestamentPerseverance
Fruit of the SpiritFruit of the Spirit: PeaceJohn 20:19-21; John 14:27; Isaiah 53:5; Philippians 4:6-7On the first Easter evening, Jesus' friends hid behind locked doors, full of fear. Jesus came and stood among them. His first word was "Peace," and then He showed them His hands. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Jesus made peace between us and God at the cross, and His Spirit calms our worried hearts when we bring our fears to Him.New TestamentPeace
The Church BeginsPaul and Silas Sing in JailActs 16:16-34; Philippians 4:4Paul and Silas were hurt and locked in jail for telling about Jesus. At midnight they prayed and sang to God. An earthquake opened the doors, and the jailer and his family believed in Jesus and were filled with joy.New TestamentJoy
Fruit of the SpiritFruit of the Spirit: JoyPhilippians 1:12-14; Philippians 4:4-13; Philippians 4:22; Acts 28:16, 30-31Paul wrote a letter full of joy while he was chained to a Roman soldier. His chains even helped the good news spread through the palace guard and into Caesar's household. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. It doesn't come from how things are going. It comes from Jesus, who is with us and always at work.New TestamentJoy