Are you looking for an easy but enriching bible study on the book of Philippians? You are in the right place! In this Philippians bible study, I will take you through each chapter of Philippians in a very intentional and straight forward manner. So, whether you’ve read the book of Philippians before or you’re about to read it right now for the first time, below I’m sharing my personal Philippians bible study, a free Philippians bible study PDF, and a bible reading plan to help you study Philippians 2 weeks.
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PHILIPPIANS BIBLE STUDY + FREE PDF
PHILIPPIANS OVERVIEW
- The author of the book of Philippians is the Apostle Paul.
- Paul wrote this epistle while in prison.
- The book of Philippians was addressed to the church in the city of Philippi.
- The church in Philippi was one of the churches (or probably the church) that brought the most joy to Paul.
- The key message of the book of Philippians is that true joy comes from centering your life on Christ.
- The word “joy/rejoice” is found in every single chapter of Philippians.
- The irony of the book of Philippians: Philippians is the most positive epistle, even though it was written in prison.
GREETINGS
READING: Philippians 1:1-2
KEY VERSE
Philippians 1:2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
- Paul had a more personal and close friendship with the Philippi church than the other churches.
- He referred to himself as a bondservant rather than an Apostle.
- Grace and Peace come from God.
THANKFULNESS & PRAYER
READING: Philippians 1:3-9
KEY VERSE
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
- Every memory of the Philippi church produced gratitude in Paul.
- Paul & Intentional Prayer. Paul:
- Remembered the Philippi church in his prayers.
- Expressed his gratitude through prayer.
- Experienced joy when he was grateful.
- Paul’s conviction:
- God completes the works He starts.
- We all have a role to play: We pray and God works.
- Regardless of the situation Paul was in, He was able to remain grateful and joyful.
- Paul’s wishes for the church – The church should:
- Abound in love.
- Reflect their love through knowledge.
- Discern and approve the things that are excellent.
- Be sincere.
- Be without offense.
- Be filled with fruits of righteousness.
CHRIST IS PREACHED
READING: Philippians 1:12-18
KEY VERSE
Philippians 1:18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
Throughout Paul’s ministry, he understood that:
1 – Everything that happens to believers happens with purpose.
- Everything that had happened to Paul (the good and the bad) happened for the sake of the gospel.
- Every situation served as a building block in his ministry.
2 – God uses suffering for a higher purpose.
- Paul’s sufferings strengthened and encouraged others to:
- Speak the Word without fear.
- Have confidence in what they spoke.
3 – Everyone preaches Christ with different motives & intentions.
- You can preach Christ from either:
- Envy
- Strife
- Goodwill
- Selfish Ambition
- Love
4 – Christ must be preached.
- Regardless of the intention, Christ being preached should be a cause of joy.
TO LIVE IS CHRIST
Reading: Philippians
KEY VERSE
Philippians 1:20-21 According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
Paul was able to remain confident even when he was in prison because:
- His eyes were not set on his imprisonment but on his deliverance.
- He knew that God was in control of the situation.
- Paul was aware that the church was praying for him.
- He was sure that God would not put him to shame.
- He knew that he was able to glorify God whether he lived or died.
Paul wasn’t afraid of death.
Dying for Christ’s sake wasn’t a loss, but a gain.
Paul was willing to accept God’s will.
If he lived, he would continue his ministry in Christ. But if he died, he would be with Christ. It was a win-win situation.
STRIVING & SUFFERING FOR CHRIST
Reading:
KEY VERSE
Philippians 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
During suffering, the church must still continue to:
- Behave worthy of the gospel.
- Remain united – same mind and one spirit.
- Strive together with purpose.
- Remain bold and unafraid of adversaries.
- Remember the purpose behind suffering.
- Feel privileged to suffer for Christ’s sake.
STRIVING & SUFFERING FOR CHRIST
READING:
KEY VERSE
Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
We must learn from the unity of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit.
How is unity reflected?
By finding:
- Comfort of love through God.
- Consolation in Christ.
- Fellowship of the Spirit.
What does it mean to be in unity?
- Have the same vision and mind.
- Be of one accord.
- Look out for each other as a team.
- Act based on love and not on selfish ambition.
THE HUMBLED & EXALTED CHRIST
READING: Philippians 2:5-11
KEY VERSE
Philippians 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
JESUS CHRIST
- In the form of God – did not cling on to the privilege of being God
- Took the form of a bondservant – came into the world in the likeness of men to serve.
As a man, Jesus humbled Himself and was obedient till the very end.
As a result, God exalted Jesus Christ in every sense.
- The name of Jesus is above every name.
- Everyone in heaven and on earth must bow at the name of Jesus.
- Every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.
LIGHT BEARERS
READING: Philippians 2:12-18
KEY VERSE
Philippians 2:15 That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
As messengers of light we must:
- Work on our own salvation: put effort in our walk with Christ.
- Remember that God works in us to fulfill His purpose.
- Do all things without complaining.
- Be blameless in the midst of darkness.
- Shine as lights (reflect the light of Jesus).
- Hold on to what we have learned from God.
DEATH WITH PURPOSE
Paul warned the church about his death but wanted them to look at his death as an opportunity to glorify God.
TIMOTHY COMMENDED
READING: Philippians 2:19-24
KEY VERSE
Philippians 2:19-20 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. (NKJV)
TAKEWAYS
PAUL’S TESTIMONY OF TIMOTHY:
- His young age did not stop him from being mature or like minded with Paul.
- Was the most trustworthy and fit for the ministry.
- Always completed the missions that Paul gave him with success.
- Dedicated to the cause.
- Willing to travel and go out of his way for the church.
- Placed the church’s needs over his own interests.
- Proved himself and gained the love and appreciation of the Philippi church.
EPAPHRODITUS PRAISED
READING: Philippians 2:25-30
KEY VERSE
Philippians 2:19-27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
EPAPHRODITUS:
- One of Paul’s companions at Rome.
- Served as the evidence of the church’s love for Paul: Epaphroditus was sent by the Phillipi church to supply Paul’s needs.
- Put the progress of the gospel over his own life.
- Risked his life for the sake of the gospel.
- Fell ill to the point of almost dying.
- God had mercy on Epaphroditus and healed him.
- The return of Epaphroditus served as a cause of joy and hope in the church.
ALL FOR CHRIST
READING: Philippians 3:1-11
KEY VERSE
Philippians 3:10 That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
OUTWARDLY JEWS
PAUL’S EXAMPLE
- Circumcised on the 8th day.
- From the tribe of Benjamin.
- Hebrew of Hebrews.
- A pharisee.
- Had a zeal for the law.
- A persecutor.
- Self-righteous.
An attempt to gain heaven through acts and titles.
INWARDLY JEWS
- Worship God in the spirit (with sincerity).
- Rejoice in Christ Jesus.
- Have no confidence in the flesh, but in God.
- Understood that outwardly acts aren’t a gain but a loss in Christ. Christ > Acts
Gain heaven through faith in Jesus Christ.
BEWARE OF
- DOGS – Those who can’t appreciate what is holy.
- EVIL WORKERS – False teachers who teach their own doctrine.
- MUTILATION – Those who are more interested in empty acts like physical circumcision.
PAUL UNDERSTOOD THAT:
- The personal merits and works that once fulfilled his soul and made him feel self righteous would now become a weight that would only hinder him.
- Knowing Christ personally was far more important than anything he can do or gain with his own merit.
- If he gave up the righteousness that comes from the law, he would gain the righteousness that comes from God.
- When he lost his titles, merits, and works, He was able to:
- Know Christ
- Understand the power of His resurrection
- Understand the purpose behind suffering
- Appreciate Christ’s sacrifice by participating in his suffering
PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL
READING: Philippians 3:12-16
KEY VERSE
Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
WARNING FOR THE EGO
It is dangerous to become proud or boast about our works for God.
*Paul never let the works he did in God’s name make him believe that he was better or superior than the rest.*
RACING TOWARDS HEAVEN
- Endurance is more important than speed.
- The race towards heaven is the most important race in life.
- The prize of victory is worth all the running, sacrifices, and time invested.
- We must fix our eyes on the prize instead of what’s behind in order to make it to the finish line.
OUR CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN
READING: Philippians 3:17-21
KEY VERSE
Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
Teachers are responsible for setting examples.
But there are good examples and bad examples.
PAUL’S EXAMPLE
- Centered his life around the gospel of Christ.
- Lived for Christ.
- Fixed his eyes on heavenly things.
- Knew his citizenship was in heaven and not on earth.
- Always willing to be transformed by God.
ENEMIES OF THE CROSS
- Devoted completely to earthly things.
- Wrong priorities (more interested in satisfying their belly rather than their heart)
- Proud of the shameful things they do.
UNITED & JOYFUL IN PRAYER
READING: Philippians 4:1-7
KEY VERSE
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
TAKEAWAYS
WHAT DID THE PHILIPPI CHURCH MEAN TO PAUL?
BELOVED: They were loved by Paul.
LONGED FOR: Paul enjoyed their company.
HIS JOY: The church gave Paul joy.
HIS CROWN: They were his honor.
WORDS FOR THE CHURCH:
- Rejoice in God.
- Show gentleness in everything you do.
- Don’t be anxious.
- Let your requests be known to God.
- Pray with gratitude.
When you do this, you are able to experience the peace of God which: surpasses all understanding & guards your heart and mind.
MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS
READING: Philippians 4:8-9
KEY VERSE
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things arenoble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
WHAT SHOULD CHRISTIANS MEDITATE ON?
WHATEVER IS:
- True
- Noble
- Pure
- Just
- Lovely
- Of good report
- Virtuous
- Praise worthy
PHILIPPIAN GENEROSITY
READING: Philippians 4:10-20
KEY VERSE
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
PHILIPPI CHURCH DEMONSTRATED THEIR GENEROSITY BY:
- Sharing with Paul in his distress
- Sending aid for his necessities
- Sending him gifts through Epaphroditus
- Flourishing in their care for Paul
THE SAME WAY
The Philippi church provided for Paul, God would supply their needs and provide for them abundantly.
PAUL’S NEVER ENDING CONTENTMENT
- Paul’s contentment was not dependent on what he had.
- Paul was content in every situation he found himself in, whether:
- He was full or hungry
- He had a little or plenty.
- Paul was content everywhere he went and in all things he did.
- Paul didn’t rely on his circumstances but in God’s strength.
GREETINGS & BLESSING
READING: Philippians 4:21-23
KEY VERSE
Philippians 4:23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (NKJV)
TAKEAWAYS
- The greetings between the Christians in Rome and the Christians in Philippi reflected their strong bond and love.
The Gospel is capable of reaching all kinds of households.
- Some of the Christians from Rome were members of Caesar’s household.
PHILIPPIANS BIBLE STUDY PDF
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PHILIPPIANS 14 DAYS READING PLAN
TREASURES FROM PHILIPPIANS & COLOSSIANS
Discover the very best of the books of Philippians & Colossians, two Epistles full of teachings, hope, and joy, written by the Apostle Paul during his time in prison. Fill in the most essential verses from every single chapter and write down your notes in the spaces provided as you go. Over 110 bible verses that will expand your knowledge on the gospel, revive your hope in Christ, and bring joy to your heart. Click here to grab Treasures from Philippians & Colossians! AD
I hope you found this Philippians bible study helpful! Let me know in the comments below which book you would like me to do next!
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All the bible verses shared on this post have been taken from The New King James Version.
Sending you blessings & love,
Gabby Abigail
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