Dan Hanson

NT 4225: Genesis to Revelation

1/28/16
Bible Study 3: Philippians
Preview:
This bible study will focus on the Christ Hymn from Pauls letter to the Philippian 2:1-11.
I am assuming the audience for this bible study will be a small confirmation class of between 6-8
students who are in 8th grade. These students have completed one year of confirmation on the
Old Testament and are now in their second year, which covers the New Testament. The group
will include both male and female students. The focus of the confirmation year will be exploring
the question: How does having Christ in your life make a difference? In this session, the
students will explore who Paul says Jesus is to the church in Philippi in the context of an interchurch conflict. The students will explore who Jesus is as a servant leader and why following
Christs example of servant leadership changes how we view the world. Following Christ, one
does not worship only their own agenda, but also looks out for the needs of the neighbor.
Background information:
Study Bible: The New Oxford Annotated Bible NRSV 4th EditionThe New Oxford Annotated Bible was produced by Oxford University Press in 2010. It
is an academic study Bible which includes contributions from numerous scholars from a variety
of Jewish and Christian traditions. The author of the introduction and study notes from Pauls
letter to the Philippians is Dr. Carolyn Osiek. Dr. Osiek is an emerita Catholic Professor of New
Testament at Brite Divinity School. In addition to being a Roman Catholic scholar, she is a
member of the Society of the Sacred Heart (RSCJ). The author uses primarily literary and
historical criticism to explore the correspondence between Paul and the Philippians. She also
uses evidence from other canonical sources to help interpret the letter.
Bible Dictionary: The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible (Volume 4)--- Slavery
The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible is produced by Abingdon Press in 2007.
Abingdon Press is a publishing house of the United Methodist Church. The contributing scholars
come from a variety of denominations and global perspectives. The author of the article entitled
Slavery is J. Albert Harrill. Dr. Harrill is an Adjunct Professor of History, Classical Studies,
and Jewish Studies at Indiana University. In this article, Dr. Harrill uses primarily historiocritical methods to show how ancient Hebrews and Gentiles viewed the institution of slavery and
how it functioned in different ages and civilizations.
Web:
Enter the Bible is an online resource produced by Luther Seminary in St. Paul,
Minnesota. It is a brief online introduction to the books of the bible, their context, and themes.
The author of the section on Philippians is Dr. Paul Berge, an Emeritus Professor of New
Testament at Luther Seminary. In laying out the major themes and background to Pauls letter to
the Philippians, Dr. Berge uses primarily historio-critical methods and literacy criticism to help

the reader enter the conversation Paul is having with the Philippians and also show the structure
of the letter.

Commentary: The Womens Bible Commentary

The Womens Bible Commentary was republished and expanded by Westminster John
Knox Press in 1998. Westminster John Knox is a publishing house of the Presbyterian Church
USA. This commentary covers all books in the Christian bible. Contributors to this commentary
are a group of ecumenical female scholars in North America. Contributors are from a broad
range of Christian denominations and also Judaism. The author for the material on Philippians is
Dr. Pheme Perkins. Dr. Perkins is a Professor of New Testament at Boston College. In her
writing, the author utilizes historio-critical methods alongside feminist critique.

Summary of Background Information:

Paul writes his letter to the Philippians while in prison. Scholars debate about where Paul
was imprisoned. Some scholars argue for Rome while others argue for Ephesus. Regardless of
his location, Paul writes to a Philippian church with whom Paul appears to have a close
relationship. Paul addresses challenges facing the church, including opposition from outside the
church and divisiveness within the church community. Scholars debate whether this letter is one
letter from Paul, or parts of three different letters sent by Paul to the church in Philippi.
Paul frames the challenges he is facing and the challenges the church is facing through a
Christo-centric lens. Paul addresses the problem of divisive in the community by referencing a
hymn (2:6-11) and urging the congregation to be of the same mind as Christ, who though he was
equal with God, sacrificially gave of himself as a slave for the sake of others. Paul advocates
that a Christo-centric framework reorients the congregations problems and equips them either to
endure the struggle or live differently together.
A helpful feminist voice from the Womens Bible Commentary named how Pauls appeal
to self-giving love and endurance through suffering has been used by patriarchal societies to
oppress women.

Bible Study:
Opening/Warm-up: 10 Minutes
1.

Highs and Lows for the Week(Continuation of weekly practice for

the purpose of building community)
2. What of mail do you receive? Who sends it to you?

Entering the Scripture:

A brief background of the book of Philippians (5 Minutes)
Leader covers the following points:
*We are reading some elses maila letter from the Apostle Paul to a house
church in Philippiwe dont have the letter they sent to Paul (Show Philippi on a
map)
*Paul has worked with the church and has a favorable relationship with this
church. They know each other well.
*Paul is writing this letter from prison He cannot personally go to see them.
*Paul is answering a letter where they church has shared challenges they are
having at their house churchamong this problems are opposition from outside
the church and people not getting along inside the church: Based on what Paul
writes to them we are guessing what their challenges were
*We get to read what Paul wrote back to them

People are not getting along in the church. There is great disagreement and we can guess people
are taking sides and looking out for their own agendas. Instead of looking out for each other,
individuals own interests are taking first priority

Philippians 2:1-7 (15 Minutes)

Leader read Philippians 2:1-7 from Eugene Petersons The Message for the purpose of using
language which is more accessible for this age group. It is assumed students have a copy of The
Message Bible. The leader reads the section of Scripture twice, pausing after verse 4.
Confirmation students are encouraged to Instagram what they hear. They will draw what they
hear as if they were instragramming it to their friends via their cell phone. (Instragram is a social
media platform where people can share photos with captions called hashtags). The students are
also encouraged to hashtag the photo they draw to capture a main theme. A worksheet will be
provided with space for drawing (See end of bible study). Each student then shares with the
group what he or she has drawn and what they have put for hashtags. This is for the purpose of
having the student retell what they hear and articulate themes of the text.
Discussion Questions: (20 Minutes)
Questions about the text:

What does this text say about who Jesus is? Many people think Paul is quoting a
hymn.
What was Jesus relationship to God?equal with God
How did Jesus respond to the privilege of being a deity? Set aside
privilege, became like slave, became human
What kind of life does it say Jesus lived? What kind of death did he die?
Selfless, obedient- for the sake of the world
How did God respond to what Jesus did? exalts Jesus
What does Paul ask the Philippians to do? Agree with each other, love each other,
be deep-spirited friends
Applying it to our lives:
Paul urges the Philippians not to be obsessed with getting their own advantage
(getting only what benefits them individually). He urges them to be of the same
mind as Christ- to see the world through Christs eyes and to do as Christ would
do. How might the Philippians, who are fighting with each other, change their
perspective if they follow Pauls advice?
Their relationship are more important than their disagreement
Love of one another is more important than disagreement etc.
Who is someone who has given of themselves to invest in your life? (Parent,
coach, friend, teacher, mentor)

If we dont look to see the world through Christs eyes and look for the needs of
our neighbor, how might the world look differently? What would be most
important to us? How is this different than seeing the world through Christs
perspective? -- Steer toward self-centered agenda our values might only be
money or powerat great cost to others
Leader Concludes: Paul shows how Christ is an example of a servant leader- someone who
gives of themselves for the sake of others Jesus emptied himself, limiting himself to become
human to save the world. This is how we see Gods love for us. In the midst of conflict, Paul
urges the Philippians to be like Christ. Even though there is disagreement, Paul calls them to
humble themselves and love one another. They are to be servant leaders to one another to share
the love God by which God has gathered them.

Closing: Listening to a song- 10 minutes

Students will listen to a recording of the song Lord Whose Love in Humble
Service They will be instructed to listen for a words or phrases which stick out to them. Lyrics
will be provided them. Students will share themes they heard.
Jesus as servant
Different ways of service
Final questions: What similarities did you hear to the Scripture we read today?
Where might God be calling you to be a servant leader?
Close in Prayer:

Instrgram the Letter!

Philippians 2:1-4

Philippians 2:5-11