Lesson Notes:  Philippians 2:14-16 (NIV based)

READ:  Philippians 2:14-16, with vv.12-13 for context

v.14
According to verse 14, how often does God allow or approve of us complaining or arguing?

How often do each of us complain about something we do not like?

How often do each of us escalate a disagreement into an argument?  With our spouse?  With our children?  With our co-workers?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
vv.15-16
What reasons are given here for not complaining or arguing?
v.15
- - that we "may become blameless and pure";
- - that we may be "without fault" before God;
- - that we will live up to our status of being "children of God";
- - that our righteous conduct will starkly contrast and stand out from the "crookedness and depravity" occurring around us; 
- - that our righteous conduct will "shine" among unbelievers;
v.16
- - it makes our witness more effective ("as you hold out the word of life"); 
- - our righteous conduct testifies to the power and goodness that are intrinsic to the word of life (v.16), and to salvation (v.12), and to God's working in us (v.13) that we are promoting to the world;
- - that those who minister to us will reap positive results from their work.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If we do complain and argue frequently, what does that indicate about the condition of our faith?

What bases do we use that motivate or compel us to complain or argue?  List as many as you can think of, perhaps from your own life.

How do those bases contradict and oppose godliness?

How do those bases oppose and hinder the work God is doing in us?  (v.13)

How do those bases oppose and hinder the work God is doing to draw unbelievers into His Kingdom?  (vv.15-16)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MAIN POINT:  What would you say is the main point in these verses?

IMPORTANT SUB-POINTS:  What are some other important points God is making here in these verses?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
APPLICATIONS:  What applications can you think of for how we should respond to the concepts in these verses? 

PERSONALIZED APPLICATIONS:  From these verses, what do you think God wants you to learn, or know, or remember, or put into effect in your life?  How are you going to do that?

Do you see the direct damage you are doing to God's work when you complain or argue?

When you complain or argue, do you see the major obstacle you are creating for unbelievers to come into God's Kingdom?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Works Cited:
Bible. “The Holy Bible: New International Version.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyrights:
Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Copyright © 2014 Mel W. Coddington, and permission is hereby granted that this document may be used, copied, and distributed non-commercially to non-profit organizations, individuals, churches, ministries, and schools worldwide, provided the copies are distributed at no charge and retain this sources documentation as supplied herein. This document is not for sale, resale, or for use as a gift or premium to be offered in connection with solicitations or contributions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
File name: Philippians2_14-16-LessonNotes.___ (.htm, .doc, .pdf)
Translation used: NIV, quoted or referred to in various places within this document
Source: www.BelieverAssist.com
Updated: December 12, 2016