Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Lost Son

Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Lost Son

     1. How do you normally react when you feel you have been treated unfairly?

     2. What did the younger son ask his father to do? (15:12-13)

     3. How did the younger son live once he was out on his own? (15:13-20)

     4. Why did the younger son have to hire himself out for work? (15:14-15)

     5. What made the younger son decide to return home? (15:17-19)

     6. How did the father respond to the younger son's return home? (15:20)

     7. Why did the father call for a celebration? (15:22-24)

     8. What was wrong with the older brother's reaction to his brother's return? (15:25-32)

     9. Why did the father want the older brother to be happy? (15:31-32)

     10. What does the forgiving love of the father in this story represent?

     11. How have you been like the prodigal son in this story?

     12. When have you been like the older brother?

     13. From whom do we tend to withhold mercy?

     14. What causes us to harbor resentment when mercy is shown to someone else?

     15. What should we do when a vile person wants to be forgiven?

     16. How can you show compassion for those who have not believed in Christ?

     17. What does this parable reveal to you about the Lord's love?

     18. How can you guard yourself against feeling resentment when God shows mercy to people you think don't deserve it?

     19. To what "undeserving" person can you extend God's love and forgiveness this week? How?

Philippians 4:10-23 - Contentment and Generosity

Philippians 4:10-23 - Contentment and Generosity

     1. When was a time you felt contentment in the middle of problems or uncertainty?

     2. Why was Paul glad? (4:10-13)

     3. What lesson had Paul learned about contentment? (4:10-13)

     4. What did the Philippians do about Paul's troubles? (4:14)

     5. How had the Philippians supported Paul in the past? (4:15-16)

     6. What did Paul want for the Philippians? (4:17)

     7. How did Paul respond to the Philippians' generosity? (4:18-19)

     8. To what did Paul give prominence in closing his letter? (4:23)

     9. How could Paul be so flexible in his approach to life's circumstances?

     10. How do you handle the unexpected?

     11. What can you learn from Paul about being content?

     12. The Philippian Christians helped Paul when he needed it; how are you able to help others in trouble?

     13. How will God honor a giving spirit?

     14. How can the relationship between Paul and the Philippians help your church in its relationship to those involved in missions?

     15. What can you do to develop an attitude of contentment in all circumstances?

Philippians 4:2-9 - Trust Christ

Philippians 4:2-9 - Trust Christ

     1. How do you tend to respond when things don't go your way?

     2. What did Paul exhort the Philippian believers to do? (4:1)

     3. Why did Paul plead with Euodia and Syntyche? (4:2)

     4. What was Paul's relationship with Clement? (4:3)

     5. What did Paul encourage his readers to do? (4:4)

     6. How did Paul tell the Philippian Christians to treat others? (4:5)

     7. How should an awareness of Christ's imminent return affect a person's attitude? (4:5-7)

     8. What were the Philippians to do instead of worrying? (4:6-7)

     9. How can a believer enjoy the peace of God? (4:6-7)

     10. How can believers enjoy the presence of the God of peace? (4:9)

     11. When have you been involved in helping Christians resolve differences?

     12. How can you have a peaceful spirit?

     13. If you were more thankful, joyful, and gentle, how might your family and friends be affected?

     14. What does it mean to live a righteous life-style?

     15. In what areas of your life do you need to follow Paul's example?

     16. How can you be an effective peacemaker this week?

Philippians 3:12-4:1 - Pressing on in Christ

Philippians 3:12-4:1 - Pressing on in Christ


     1. If you lived in ancient times and participated in sports, would you prefer chariot racing or spear throwing? Why?

     2. What was Paul's testimony? (3:12-14)

     3. What was Paul's goal? (3:14)

     4. How did Paul call the Philippians to share his view? (3:15)

     5. What was Paul's plea to the Philippians? (3:16)

     6. How did Paul describe God's enemies? (3:18-19)

     7. Whom did the Philippian believers eagerly await? (3:20)

     8. What characterizes citizens of heaven? (3:21)

     9. What kind of race are you running for Christ?

     10. What prize do you seek?

     11. How can you imitate Paul's life and example?

     12. How can Christ help you stay on track and reach the goal?

     13. What spiritual workout or training this week will help you run your Christian marathon?

     14. In what way can you renew your commitment to press on toward the goal of being like Christ?

Philippians 3:1-11 - Faith in Christ

Philippians 3:1-11 - Faith in Christ

     1. If you were to update your resume today, what recent accomplishment would you want to include?

     2. How do you feel when someone is better than you at something you do well?

     3. Why did Paul repeat essential truths to the Philippians? (3:1)

     4. What did Paul say about certain false teachers? (3:2)

     5. What autobiographical facts did Paul give? (3:4-6)

     6. In what sense was Paul not boasting, even though he was calling attention to his accomplishments? (3:7-9)

     7. Why did Paul view his former accomplishments as "rubbish"? (3:8)

     8. What was Paul's status in Christ? (3:9)

     9. What longings did Paul admit to the Philippians? (3:10-11)

     10. What sorts of things tend to draw you away from Christ?

     11. What do you usually boast about?

     12. Why should our identity and confidence be in the Lord?

     13. How is the Apostle Paul's commitment to Christ an example to you?

     14. When you face struggles this week, how can you remember to rejoice rather than complain?

     15. What do you need to start counting as rubbish for the sake of Christ?

Philippians 2:19-30 - Model Christ

Philippians 2:19-30 - Model Christ

1. When was the last time you gave a character reference for a friend?

2. What was Paul's opinion of Timothy? (2:20)

3. In Paul's view, why did Timothy stand out? (2:21-22)

4. When would Paul send Timothy to the Philippians? (2:23)

5. Who was Epaphroditus? (2:25)

6. How did Epaphroditus feel about his friends in Philippi? (2:26)

7. What happened to Epaphroditus? (2:26-27)

8. How did Paul demonstrate his selflessness? (2:28)

9. How were the Philippians told to welcome home Epaphroditus? (2:29-30)

10. Among your circle of Christian friends, for whom do you have the highest regard? Why?

11. Why could Paul count on Timothy and Epaphroditus?

12. In what ways have you proved to be a reliable servant of God?

13. What risks are you willing to take on behalf of other Christians?

14. This week, how can you look out for the interests of the Lord rather than your own interests?

15. How can you be a model of humility and service to other Christians this week?

Philippians 2:12-18 - Shining as Stars

Philippians 2:12-18 - Shining as Stars

1. Who pointed the way for you in your first job?

2. What is the most frequent complaint you hear?

3. What did the Philippian Christians need to obey? (2:12)

4. How would God help the Philippians obey Him? (2:12-13)

5. Why were the Philippians not shining "like stars" in their world? (2:14-16)

6. What would enable Paul to boast about the Philippians? (2:14-16)

7. How did Paul view his own life? (2:17)

8. What did Paul want his friends at Philippi to experience? (2:18)

9. What does it mean "to work out your salvation with fear and trembling"?

10. What do you tend to complain and argue about?

11. How does shining for Christ encourage others to be drawn to Him?

12. How can you help new believers "shine like stars" for God's kingdom?

13. In what situations this week do you need to make a conscious effort not to complain or argue?

14. Before whom do you want to shine in your place of work or neighborhood? In what ways can you do so?

Philippians 2:1-11 - Imitating Christ's Humility

Philippians 2:1-11 - Imitating Christ's Humility

1. How much of a peacemaker are you?

2. What four qualities mark unity with Christ? (2:1)

3. What did Paul say about self-centeredness? (2:3-4)

4. What did Paul exhort believers to have? (2:5)

5. What did Christ set aside when He became a man? (2:6-8)

6. How did Jesus limit Himself? (2:6-8)

7. How was Christ fully God and fully man at the same time? (2:6-8)

8. Why did Christ take on the limitations of being human even though He was of the same nature as God? (2:7)

9. How did Christ win sovereignty over all people and over everything? (2:10)

10. How does your life show that you count on Christ?

11. How can Christ help you keep peace with others?

12. What hinders unity in your church?

13. How does Christ's example of humility challenge our natural self-centeredness?

14. What practical steps can you take this week to demonstrate humility in your relationships?