Eric Thiele

January 29, 2016

Genesis to Revelation-Koester
Philippians Bible Study
1. The book of Philippians
a. I would certainly give an overview of each of the four chapters but would
primarily focus on the Christ hymn in 2:5-11
b. Large Group
c. Multigenerational: open for any and all ages
2. Background Information
a. Sources
i. Lutheran Study Bible
ii. Enter the Bible: Philippians
https://www.enterthebible.org/newtestament.aspx?rid=9
iii. Apostle of the Crucified Lord by Michael Gorman
iv. New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible
b. Review of Sources
i. Lutheran Study Bible
1. The Lutheran Study Bible was produced by Augsburg Fortress in
2009. There were many authors and editors that contributed to the
information that is in this Bible who are pastors, professors, and
Bible, theology, and history scholars. The authors and editors of
this Bible are using the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).
This Bible, simply by its name and the resources included within
are from a Lutheran theological point of view. Many of the
professors and scholars who contributed to the Bible are from
ELCA seminaries and colleges. The primary purpose of this Bible
is to provide historical, theological, and practical perspectives. This
is a great resource as it provides excellent comments and questions
throughout.
ii. Enter the Bible: Philippians
1. This is an online resource produced by Luther Seminary. This
particular resource on the book of Philippians was written by
Emeritus Professor of New Testament, Paul Berge. Throughout the
prepared information on Philippians, there are references to
historical, theological and faith application points of view. The
information provided helps the reader to better understand the how
and why of Philippians in addition to providing a general overview
of Pauls letter.
iii. Apostle of the Crucified Lord
1. Michael Gorman is listed as a professor of New Testament and
early church history and dean of the Ecumenical Institute of
Theology at St. Marys Seminary and University in Baltimore,
Maryland. As I examine his comments on Philippians and other
letters of Paul throughout his book, it is certainly clear that he is
quite interested in the history of the letters and the life and time in

which Paul lived and worked. Furthermore, he is also interested in

the theology to which Paul proclaims. It is quite evident as you
read the outline of Philippians that a theology begins to take shape.
iv. New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible
1. This Dictionary was produced by Abingdon Press. There are
several contributors to this dictionary collection from many
colleges and seminaries around the world. This resource provides a
lot of basic and advanced information regarding biblical
vocabulary. It is certainly a more scholarly resource that provides a
lot of historical and theological perspectives.
c. Background Information on Philippians
i. The main message that Paul writes about is the example and exhortation of
Christ. Christ is proclaimed and exalted in the first three chapters while
the fourth chapter is an encouragement to the Philippians to continue on in
their ministry to one another and to others.
ii. Pauls letter to the Philippians was probably written in the mid to late 50s
C.E. Paul writes this letter from prison. The letter indicates an earlier
relationship between Paul and the church in Philippi. Paul is certainly
writing to encourage.
iii. Some of the major themes that I intend to focus on are who is Christ and
how does Christs identity get revealed to us? In chapter 2, we have one of
the most famous Pauline writings in the Christ hymn. Certainly music
reveals a significant theology and identity of Christ to us and to others.
How else might know who Christ is?
3. Plan for the Bible study
a. Opening
i. Prior to the study of this book, I would invite people to come with favorite
hymns in mind. I would also invite a musician to come play piano or to
help lead songs
ii. Opening Prayer
iii. Discussion: What is your favorite hymn or song? Why do you like that
hymn or song? Take some time with a couple people around you to discuss
why you like that particular song or hymn.
iv. Allow people to share with the large group why a song or hymn was their
neighbors favorite.
v. Select a few hymns to sing now and some throughout the Bible study and
at the end
vi. One question to think about as we go through Philippians together is: Who
is Christ? Who is Christ for us? Who is Christ for Paul? For the
Philippians? What might a song or hymn reveal about Christs identity?
About Christs role in our lives?
b. Study
i. Read Philippians 1:1-11
1. Note that Paul opens up this letter like he does most letter: Sender
to receiver. This is a typical way of opening a letter at the time of
Paul. He also identifies himself and Timothy as servants of Jesus

Christ. The word for servant in in Greek can also be translated

slave. This is a point we will come back to shortly.
2. Notice also, he sends prayers of thanksgiving to the Philippians.
Also a common theme in Pauls letters. Galatians is perhaps the
only place where Paul doesnt do this. He is rather upset with the
Galatians.
ii. Read Philippians 1:12-26
1. Notice where Paul is writing this letter: from prison.
2. Going back to the first verse of the letter where Paul identifies
himself as a servant. Might his situation dictate that we could read
servant as slave instead?
iii. Sing a hymn about service and living life according to the gospel.
iv. Read Philippians 1:27-2:11
1. Paul is imploring this community of believers towards greater
unity, especially as one in the community and as one in Christ.
2. Verses 6-11 are possibly the most well-known verses in all of
Pauls writing. Possibly known as an early hymn that predates
Paul. Not sure on that.
3. Verse 7 uses the word slave which comes from the same word in
Greek as servant did for Paul at the beginning. Might this be
written this way for a reason or is Paul imploring the community to
also be a slave in and for Christ.
4. Discussion: In small groups, lets go back to the questions that we
began the Bible study with: Who is Christ according to these
verses? Who is Christ for Paul? Who is Christ for us?
v. Sing a hymn about unity in Christ
vi. Read Philippians 3:1-4:1
1. What is Paul pushing this community to do?
a. Break with past traditions and look toward living in a new
way. A way that imitates Christ.
vii. Sing a hymn!
viii. Read Philippians 4:2-23
1. Paul ends the letter by giving encouragement to the church in
Philippi.
2. Paul gives them an opportunity to give thanks for each other, for
the ministry in which they share, and Paul offers a blessing and
thanksgiving for what he has received from them himself.
3. Paul is calling the Philippians to live out the hymn that shows up in
chapter 2:5-11.
c. Closing
i. Discussion in small groups: What sorts of things did you notice about
what Paul was trying to do in his writing? How was Paul trying to
enlighten the Philippians about who Christ is?
ii. Further Discussion: Go back to the beginning of todays Bible study.
What were your favorite songs?

1. What do these songs and hymns say about who Christ is within
that hymn or song? Who is Christ for you? What does that
particular song or hymn say about our faith.
iii. What might our favorite songs say about us now or in the future or as we
reflect on the past?
iv. Sing two more hymns
v. Close in prayer.
Bibliography
Berge, Paul, Philippians. Enter the Bible Accessed January 26, 2016.
https://www.enterthebible.org/newtestament.aspx?rid=9
Gorman, Michael J. Apostle of the Crucified Lord: A Theological Introduction to Paul and His
Letters. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2004.
Lutheran Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2009.
The New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 2009.

Who is Christ?
Songs? What do songs reveal about who Christ is? Who Christ is for us? What does this say
about our faith? Songs bring back memories for all of us. What does the Christ hymn say in
chapter 2? What might our favorite songs say about us now or in the future? Or as we reflect on
the past?