Working Out and Pouring Out

Read Philippians 2:12-18

• Philippians 2:12 begins with “Therefore,” implying that verses 1-11 are connected to what follows. Take a moment to read Philippians 2:1-11. How does Phil 2:1-11 set the stage for 2:12-18?
• What does it mean to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you…” (vs. 12-13)? How would you characterize our “work” in this partnership? How would you characterize God’s “work”? What kind of “fear” is Paul talking about here?
• Paul gives us a clear command in verse 14 not to grumble or argue. What are the circumstances that have caused you to grumble and argue this past year? How does grumbling and arguing affect our witness?
• In verse 15, Paul longs for the Philippians to “become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” In what ways is our current world “warped and crooked”? In what ways do we also fall prey to the “warped and crooked” attitudes or behaviors of the world around us?
• What is the analogy that Paul is making in verse 15 when he says: “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky…” ? Have you ever experienced a Christian community who lived like this? Take a moment to share how they (or you!) lived this out.
• What does Paul mean when he says that he is being “poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith” in verse 17? Why does Paul rejoice in being “poured out” in this way? What practices, attitudes, or habits help us to attain this type of joy as well?