Discovering Joy - Shining as Stars

Studies on Paul’s Letter to the Philippians for SGSG Small Groups

Shining as Stars                     Philippians 2:12-18                            13 Oct

Welcome

Have you ever lain out gazing up at the stars on a beautiful clear night? Where were you? What feelings did it conjure up in you?

Worship

Reflect on the words of the song ‘Indescribable’ (attached at the end).  You may want to use a YouTube clip with the words and images relating to this song or just to play the music in the background. Bring to God the things that occupy you this week. Spend some time praising God for all that He is, His mighty power, His awesome creation.

Word

2: 12-13

·         Discuss the phrase ‘continue to work out your salvation.’ Does there appear to be a contradiction here with verses such as Ephesians 2:8-9 which talk about the message of grace? What does it mean to work out your salvation with fear and trembling? Is Paul encouraging believers to live in a continuous condition of nervousness and anxiety?  Or what does ‘fear and trembling’ mean?

Time after time the Bible makes clear the message of grace, that you cannot save yourself.  In the original Greek, the word for “work out” has the idea of “working something to completion”, and is in the present continuous tense.  To “work out our salvation with fear and trembling” is to keep on working at the consequences and implications of our salvation, and so complete that which was already begun by the person and work of Jesus on the cross.  "Fear" in this context can equally mean "reverence" or "respect".  The “trembling” Paul refers to is the attitude Christians are to have in pursuing this goal - a healthy fear of offending God through disobedience and an awe and respect for His majesty and holiness.  "Trembling" can also refer to a shaking due to weakness, but this is a weakness of higher purpose, one which brings us to a state of dependency on God.

2: 14-18

·         Is it possible to do everything without complaining or arguing?  What do you like to complain about and why?  Do you ever think it’s justifiable?  What impact does it have on those around you and your home life/work life/social life?

·         What reasons does Paul give for doing everything without complaining or arguing (verses 14-16)?

·         Why is this kind of behaviour like shining a light in the world? Do you think when people look at you, at your family, at the church they see bright shining ‘stars in the universe’, or just more of the same?

·         Do we ‘hold out the word of life’ (v16)? What does this mean?

Witness, Care and Prayer

Give each person a tea light, a pen and small piece of paper (perhaps cut into the shape of a star). Ask people to think about and write down things in their life that they feel are hindering them in shining as a bright light or star in their world around them (these are for personal use only and not for sharing unless people wish to).

When people are ready, suggest that they light the tea light (take care!) and in the quiet, perhaps with the lights turned down or off, spend some time in quiet reflection giving what they have written to God.  Spend time in prayer asking for God’s presence, for courage to turn from the things that hinder us and for His Spirit to help us to shine brighter in our homes, our church, our workplaces, our community, our world, for His glory.

If appropriate give people the opportunity to speak about what they have written, and in any event pray in small groups.

Indescribable

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colours of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

© Jesse Reeves and Laura Story 2004 worshiptogether.com songs

Song Lyrics reproduced under CCL 572