Monday — Acts 16:11-15The conversion of Lydia reveals at least three missionary habits of Paul. Firstly, his strategy was to visit the most significant cities. Secondly, on the Sabbath he would find a Jewish synagogue or place of prayer where Jews and God-fearing Greeks would gather and wait for the opportunity to speak. Thirdly, he would regularly baptise those converted. You can usually tell that a conversion is genuine by the immediate response of the person. In this account as soon as Lydia’s heart is opened so too is her home. She demonstrates Christian generosity immediately.

1. Who took the initiative in saving Lydia?2. What role did Paul play in her conversion?

• Pray for wisdom to adopt a suitable strategy for mission in our university environment.

• Ask God to open people’s hearts such that they would pay attention to the message preached.

Tuesday — Acts 16:16-24Fortune-telling was real and popular back then as it is today. Some clairvoyants are frauds but evil spirits exist that can, to some degree, predict the future. This slave girl could also discern that Paul was a servant of the Most High God telling the way to be saved. (See Luke 8:28 where this happened to Jesus.)

Sadly, the girl was also owned and exploited by greedy men. In their accusations against Paul they cleverly omit that they are motivated by money and, instead, incite racial hostility that ignites a riot and accuse him of the serious charge of introducing another religion. To keep the peace the Romans seem to adopt the policy of ‘punish now and ask questions later’. It will shortly turn out to their embarrassment.

1. From the Bible’s perspective, who is the real determiner of the future?

2. Why do you think Paul was aggravated by this foretelling about him and his message?

3. Have you ever been tempted to seek out a fortune-teller? Why should they be avoided?

• Praise God that he is the sovereign one in control of the past, present and future.

• Thank him for the freedom of religion that we enjoy in Australia.

• Pray that evil forces would not prevent the gospel being proclaimed and that campuses may continue to be places of free speech.

Wednesday — Acts 16:25-34It is amazing that Paul and Silas would sing hymns to God while their backs bled and their joints ached. Instead of groaning with pain and cursing men they sing with joy and praise God. No wonder the prisoners listened to this strange sight. But they witnessed more extraordinary events before the night was over: the earthquake, the doors flying open and the chains loosening in quick succession. But most extraordinary of all are the scenes of Paul, a prisoner, saving the jailer from suicide, quickly followed by that same jailer’s pleading question, ‘What must I do to be saved?’ Behind it all we see the gracious and sovereign hand of God saving the elect and advancing the gospel further into Gentile regions.

1. How difficult would it be to sing of God’s praise while still nursing the scars of persecution?

2. Where do you see a reciprocal washing of Paul and the jailer?

3. In what way is this account of the jailer’s conversion similar to Lydia’s?

• Pray for that strength of character that enables praise of God despite suffering.

• Pray for new converts you know, that they would be filled with joy because of their new-found belief.

• Ask God to sovereignly work in more hearts such that they ask ‘What must I do to be saved?’

Thursday — Acts 16:35-40The magistrate hoped that a flogging and night in jail would have taught the prisoners a lesson and they would leave quietly. However, Paul stood up for his rights as a Roman citizen. This afforded him protection against physical beatings, placement in bonds (chains) and no trial. He demands an escort and gets one. And so the Philippi church is planted. Among its members are: Lydia, a wealthy woman; the demon-possessed slave girl; and the gentile jailer. Jews despised these three categories of people. The head of a Jewish household would give thanks in prayers every morning that God had not made him a Gentile, a woman or a slave! Yet here they are, founding members of the church on the same basis and with no distinction, all redeemed and united in Christ.

1. When should Christians stand up for their rights?2. What difficulties might the church that Paul left

behind in Philippi have experienced if he had not insisted on an apology and on justice?

3. Notice that Luke changes person from ‘we’ (16:11) to ‘they’ (16:40). What does this suggest about Luke?

• Praise God that the gospel brings about a profound brotherly or sisterly relationship with those who accept it.

• Pray for wisdom to know when to stand up for our rights and courage to do so at uni.

• Pray that God would grant justice to our persecuted brothers and sisters when they appear in court.

Study Week

= questions to ponder = things to pray for

This Bible Reading Guide was written by Dave Martin (AFES Senior Staffworker at Deakin University, Geelong) in 2010.

BIBLE READING GUIDEPhilippians

Friday — Philippians 1:1-11It’s not easy to thank God when exams are around the corner, you don’t know all you should and your boss keeps calling you to work more shifts. However, in this opening greeting to the saints in Philippi, Paul is thankful to God for their partnership in the gospel despite his own personal difficulties. And so he prays for them regularly, with great joy and much affection.

Surprisingly, knowledge has a place in Paul’s prayer. He doesn’t pray for knowledge to pass exams, though you can and I have myself. He prays for greater insight into God in order to know how to live for him. It’s a wonderful prayer that expresses the priority of God over things of this world.

1. What matters arising from the passage can you be thankful for?

2. How can you pray with more joy despite your trials?3. Why does growth in knowledge and discernment

help determine what really matters in life?

• Give thanks that in Jesus we are all saints, that God extends to us grace and peace through Jesus, and that he will complete the good work begun in us.

• Pray that knowing God would not be neglected during the demanding exam period.

• Pray that we would abound in love and live each day pure and blameless.

Monday — Philippians 1:12-18It is amazing how difficult circumstances can often turn out for good and that is what happened here. Paul has been placed in jail and yet the restriction of his freedom has unexpectedly led to the gospel making progress. Paul was imprisoned by the royal guard and was most likely chained to a soldier on a rotational basis. This gave Paul the perfect opportunity to proclaim Christ at length to the guards and so the word spread.

Preaching Christ out of false motives often troubles us but it didn’t trouble the apostle Paul. He knew that if Christ was proclaimed the gospel would advance and that’s what mattered to him.

1. What additional progress did the gospel make because of Paul’s imprisonment?

2. How have you seen the gospel advance at your university campus this year?

• Thank God for the freedoms we have in Australia and that we are rarely in chains for Christ.

• Pray that God would enable you to respond to your own difficult circumstances, including exams, in such a way that the gospel may advance.

• Pray that you would speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Tuesday — Philippians 1:19-26Paul is about to go on trial before the judge and his accusers. But he is confidenT that it will turn out for his deliverance. This word is literally ‘salvation’ and usually refers to deliverance at the final judgement. This means Paul is not so much referring to his immediate acquittal and release from prison. Instead he confidently asserts that he will be vindicated by God in heaven. Regardless of the outcome of this earthly court, whether he lives or dies, Paul wants to honour Christ during his trial despite the presence of persecution.

Though our own trials are real and sometimes painful, they are somewhat trivial compared to Paul’s situation where death was a real possibility.

1. What two factors give Paul confidence that he will be delivered?

2. Why is he confident that he will go on living?3. How will this benefit the Philippians?

• Pray that, by the Spirit of Jesus, our brothers and sisters in persecuted countries may not be ashamed but have the courage to testify about Jesus.

• Pray that we may share the same concern as Paul to honour Christ all the time, especially in times of struggle.

• Pray that for us to go on living will involve fruitful labour for Christ

Wednesday — Philippians 1:27-30Some statements are so profound they can serve as a motto for one’s life. “Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” is one of those. Whatever happens this is how we should live at all time, during exams, on holidays, at home with family or on campus in residences.

But this motto is directed to the whole church community more than the individual. The outcome Paul wants is an united stand for the gospel against those who oppose Christianity. Hence Paul speaks of ‘standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side’ (CSB).

1. What exactly is the sign that those who oppose the Christians will be destroyed?

2. Why is suffering inevitable for Christians? 3. How does this compare to teaching in some

churches which promises victory over personal problems?

• Ask for God’s help through the agent of the Holy Spirit to conduct your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

• Pray that this might become a motto for your life and the life of your church.

• Ask God to help you see where you can contend as one for the gospel.

Exam Week 1

Thursday — Philippians 2:1-11Paul makes two more statements worthy of ‘memory verse’ status. To humbly consider others better than yourself (verse 3) and to look out for the interests of others (verse 4) are some of the hardest Christian duties. It takes years to develop this habit. And yet this is the meaning of living a life worthy of the gospel. These duties reflect the very essence of the gospel. And so Paul recites one of the earliest Christian hymns that traces the great gospel events of Jesus coming to earth in the form of a human and submitting himself to death on a cross, events completely humble and entirely other-person-centred. But Paul cannot stop the hymn there. It speaks of his subsequent exaltation to the highest place of honour in the universe.

1. How does humility and other-person-centred living help unity to be achieved?

2. Does considering others better than yourself mean you shouldn’t study diligently for exams? (Try that logic on your parents but my answer is “No!”)

3. Consider the final destiny of every person bowing the knee to Jesus and confessing his Lordship. Bearing this in mind, what should be important today?

• Pray that you can be more like-minded with fellow Christians on campus next year.

• Thank Jesus for his incredible humility and other-person-centredness.

• Pray that you might imitate these two duties and so reflect the gospel in your own life.

Friday — Philippians 2:12-18Rejoicing is such a dominant theme in Philippians and comes up again in this densely packed paragraph. But the vices of complaining and arguing are mentioned first because they are opposite to joy and deny joy. Exam pressures can often lead to grumbling and tiredness often leads to arguments. But those who are blameless and pure during exams, and this against the backdrop of the crooked and depraved university culture, are so different and bright that they shine like stars in the universe. This exemplary life makes Christianity more attractive to the world which is all the more reason to hold out the word of life to them.

1. In what way can joy drive away the destructive vices of complaining and arguing?

2. How can you shine like stars on your university campus during the exam period?

3. Why is it important to hold out the word of life to your uni friends?

• Ask God to help you express genuine Christian joy during this stressful time.

• Pray that you would not complain or argue but that you would be so godly and pure as to shine.

• Ask God to enable you to always hold out the word of life at uni.

Monday — Philippians 2:19-30The apostle Paul rarely ministered alone. Here we are introduced to two of his fellow workers, men who are godly, hard-working and sacrificial. Paul is sending Timothy and Epaphroditus back to Philippi and he encourages the Philippians to welcome these faithful ministers. What stands out is the warmth and love Paul has for his ministry companions.

1. Who do you welcome with open arms and honour? Is it those who seek the interest of Jesus Christ?

2. How can you support and encourage faithful gospel ministers on your campus?

• Praise God for those who work at gospel ministry on your campus and in your church.

• Pray that you would welcome their ministry and give them honour.

• Ask God that the same warmth and love might be evident in your campus ministry team.

Tuesday — Philippians 3:1-11Many people pretend to serve God increasingly so during exams when people are in need of divine help. However, service to God that attempts to gain his favour by religious actions is deeply offensive to him. Paul’s service to God in the past (verses 5-6) reads like a royal flush in poker, an unbeatable hand that will surely win God’s favour. But it is all rubbish, literally dung, because any attempt to gain favour by our actions ignores God’s action of making us righteous through Jesus. It therefore is deeply offensive to him. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) because it ignores Jesus.

1. What religious actions are you sometimes tempted to trust in to win God’s favour?

2. Why does Paul consider all his past religious actions to be a loss (see verse 8)?

3. What does Paul mean by “somehow attaining the resurrection from the dead”? Does John 11:24 or Acts 26:6-7 help?

• Thank God for his action in sending Jesus to make you right with him.

• Pray that you may not be tempted to trust your actions, but that instead you would trust Christ.

• Pray that we too would attain the resurrection by continuing to have faith in Jesus Christ all through exams, through uni and through life.

Exam Week 2

Wednesday — Philippians 3:12-4:1This passage has several rich truths worth reflection: the differing opinions of Christians; many live as enemies of the cross; our heavenly citizenship; and our bodily transformation. However, I will concentrate on the idea of forgetting what is behind and straining on towards what is ahead. No doubt Paul wants to forget his past sins and mistaken understanding of God. We all have regrets in our life. Some people allow these regrets to cripple them. You may even have regrets now for time wasted earlier in the year! But here, Paul urges us to forget our past sins and foolish mistakes because these have been forgiven through Jesus’ death. Instead we are to press on in Christian service and stand firm in the Lord. Don’t let the past cripple you.

1. What mistakes in your past threaten your growth in Christ and progress in ministry? What should you do about this?

2. What does Paul want Christians to “take hold of” (verse 13)?

3. How can you press on towards this goal (see 3:17-4:1)?

• Praise God that he has called you heavenward and that Christ has taken hold of you.

• Pray that God would give you strength to press on through the disappointments with yourself.

• Pray that you would eagerly await the return of the Saviour, the Lord Jesus.

Thursday — Philippians 4:2-9Conflict between Christians is very common and even contradictory! Here Paul appeals for unity between two women caught in a bitter conflict. It’s probably the main pastoral issue he wanted to address in his letter. Along with this appeal he encourages rejoicing in the Lord which cannot be easy when one is fighting with a Christian sister. He also urges gentleness to be made evident as an antidote to fighting. Finally, to press home his appeal for unity, Paul refers to the peace of God that guards Christians and the God of peace who is with Christians. I must confess that when I get to heaven and meet Euodia and Syntyche I will be tempted to ask, “Now what on earth were you two fighting over?”

1. What is most contradictory about the conflict between these two women (see verse 3)?

2. How are they to overcome their differences? 3. Who are you fighting with at the moment and what

should you do about it?

• Pray that God would give you a humble opinion of yourself that will help minimise conflict.

• Ask God to help you work in harmony with other Christians on campus as you plan ahead for 2011.

• Thank God that all true believers are fellow workers with God and have their names in the Lamb’s book of life.

Friday — Philippians 4:10-23Another reason for writing to the Philippians was that Paul wanted to thank them for their renewed financial support. Spending money to support Christian ministry on your campus and at your church is a very godly use of money. Today’s materialistic and individualistic world offers lots of ungodly ways to spend money. The world constantly bombards us with advertising that entices us to spend money on ourselves. But committed Christians will spend money differently. And money spent in support of labourers who build God’s kingdom is a fragrant offering and acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. Such spending also comes with a promise that God will meet our needs according to his glorious riches in Christ. These are spiritual riches that no amount of money can buy.

1. How do you demonstrate discontent with possessions that you have or abilities you possess?

2. What do you think was Paul’s ‘secret’ to contentment? Does verse 13 help?

3. How are you using the money God has given you to promote the gospel in the world? How much are you earning (and receiving in government aid) and how much are you giving away?

• Pray that you will learn to be content with both the material possessions you have and the academic capabilities you possess.

• Pray that even as a poor uni student you would show concern for gospel work by being generous.

• To God be glory (verse 20) and to you be the grace of the Lord Jesus (verse 23).

NOTES