Selected Readings from

Philippians

Name:

St Marks
Teen Church
t: 041-3606060 |e: youth@stmarks.org.za |w: www.stmarks.org.za
This booklet has been compiled by the Youth department of St Marks Congregational Church.

St Marks Youth Unlimited

P.O. Box 27033, Greenacres, P.E., 6057, RSA
410 Cape Road, Western Suburbs, Port Elizabeth, 6025
t: (041) 3606060 f: (041) 3609217
e: youth@stmarks.org.za
w: www.stmarks.org.za
The Purpose of this booklet

This booklet does not replace your Bible! It is simply a jumpstarter for you to get into the
habit of reading your Bible.

Some Guidelines to help understand your Bible

When reading a verse in the Bible, these are the questions you need to ask yourself in order
to understand what is being said:

 WHEN was it written? (Before or after Cross)

 WHOM was it written to? (Jews, Gentiles or Church?)

 WHAT programme does this fit into? (Law / Grace / Promise, etc)

 WHY was it written?

 WHO wrote the passage?

Interpreting a passage of Scripture

Use what you learnt in OBSERVATION to help understand what you have read.

 Take the Bible LITERALLY.

 Let the Bible ITSELF tell you what it is saying.

 CONTEXT – Read the verses before and after.

 CROSS REFERENCE – look at other Bible verses which speak about the same subject.

 CULTURE – understand the culture and history of the time when it was written.

These are some guidelines in helping you understand your Bible. If these still don’t help –
you can always ask someone!

2 Timothy 2:15 Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that does not need
to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

It is our prayer that this booklet will really get you to start reading and understanding your
Bible!
 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 1:6
Philippians 1:6 And so I am sure that God,
who began this good work in
being confident of this very thing, you, will carry it on until it is
finished on the Day of Christ
that He who has begun a good Jesus.
work in you will perform it until
the day of Jesus Christ,

Contemporary English Version

Philippians 1:6
God is the one who began
this good work in you, and I
am certain that he won't stop
before it is complete on the
day that Christ Jesus returns.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 1

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 1:21
Philippians 1:21 For what is life? To me, it is
Christ. Death, then, will bring
For to me to live is Christ, and to more.

die is gain.

Contemporary English Version

Philippians 1:21
If I live, it will be for Christ,
and if I die, I will gain even
more.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 2

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 2:4
Philippians 2:4 And look out for one
another's interests, not just
Do not let each man look upon his for your own.

own things, but each man also on

the things of others.

Contemporary English Version

Philippians 2:4
Care about them as much as
you care about yourselves

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 3

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 2:5-7
Philippians 2:5-7 The attitude you should have
is the one that Christ Jesus
For let this mind be in you which had: He always had the
nature of God, but he did not
was also in Christ Jesus who, being think that by force he should
in the form of God, thought it not try to remain equal with God.
Instead of this, of his own
robbery to be equal with God, but free will he gave up all he
had, and took the nature of a
made Himself of no reputation, servant. He became like a
human being and appeared
and took upon Himself the form of in human likeness.

a servant, and was made in the Contemporary English Version

likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7

and think the same way that
Christ Jesus thought: Christ
was truly God. But he did not
try to remain equal with God.
Instead he gave up
everything and became a
slave, when he became like
one of us.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 4

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 2:8
Philippians 2:8 He was humble and walked
the path of obedience all the
And being found in fashion as a way to death--- his death on
the cross.
man, He humbled Himself and
became obedient unto death,
even the death of the cross.

Contemporary English Version

Philippians 2:8
Christ was humble. He
obeyed God and even died
on a cross.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 5

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 2:9-11
Philippians 2:9-11 For this reason God raised
him to the highest place
Therefore God has highly exalted above and gave him the
name that is greater than any
Him, and has given Him a name other name. And so, in honor
which is above every name, that at of the name of Jesus all
beings in heaven, on earth,
the name of Jesus every knee and in the world below will
fall on their knees, and all will
should bow, of heavenly ones, and openly proclaim that Jesus
Christ is Lord, to the glory of
of earthly ones, and of ones under God the Father.

the earth; and that every tongue Contemporary English Version

should confess that Jesus Christ is Philippians 2:9-11

Then God gave Christ the
Lord, to the glory of God the highest place and honored
his name above all others. So
Father. at the name of Jesus
everyone will bow down,
those in heaven, on earth,
and under the earth. And to
the glory of God the Father
everyone will openly agree,
"Jesus Christ is Lord!"

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 6

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 2:14-15
Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without
complaining or arguing, so
Do all things without murmurings that you may be innocent
and pure as God's perfect
and disputings, so that you may be children, who live in a world
blameless and harmless, the sons of corrupt and sinful people.
You must shine among them
of God, without rebuke, in the like stars lighting up the sky,

midst of a crooked and perverse

nation. Among these you shine as
lights in the world, Contemporary English Version
Philippians 2:14-15
Do everything without
grumbling or arguing. Then
you will be the pure and
innocent children of God.
You live among people who
are crooked and evil, but you
must not do anything that
they can say is wrong. Try to
shine as lights among the
people of this world

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 7

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 3:13-14
Philippians 3:13-14 Of course, my friends, I really
do not think that I have
My brothers, I do not count myself already won it; the one thing
I do, however, is to forget
to have taken possession, but one what is behind me and do my
thing I do, forgetting the things best to reach what is ahead
So I run straight toward the
behind and reaching forward to goal in order to win the prize,
which is God's call through
the things before, I press toward Christ Jesus to the life above..

the mark for the prize of the high

calling of God in Christ Jesus. Contemporary English Version
Philippians 3:13-14
My friends, I don't feel that I
have already arrived. But I
forget what is behind, and I
struggle for what is ahead. I
run toward the goal, so that I
can win the prize of being
called to heaven. This is the
prize that God offers because
of what Christ Jesus has
done.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 8

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 3:17
Philippians 3:17 Keep on imitating me, my
friends. Pay attention to
Brothers, be imitators together of those who follow the right
example that we have set for
me, and mark those who walk this you.
way, for you have us for a pattern.

Contemporary English Version

Philippians 3:17
My friends, I want you to
follow my example and learn
from others who closely
follow the example we set
for you.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 9

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 3:20
Philippians 3:20 We, however, are citizens of
heaven, and we eagerly wait
For our citizenship is in Heaven, for our Savior, the Lord Jesus
Christ, to come from heaven.
from which also we are looking for He will change our weak
the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, mortal bodies and make
them like his own glorious
who shall change our body of body, using that power by
which he is able to bring all
humiliation so that it may be things under his rule.

fashioned like His glorious body,

according to the working of His Contemporary English Version

power, even to subdue all things Philippians 3:20

But we are citizens of heaven
to Himself. and are eagerly waiting for
our Savior to come from
there. Our Lord Jesus Christ
has power over everything,
and he will make these poor
bodies of ours like his own
glorious body.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 10

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 4:4
Philippians 4:4 May you always be joyful in
your union with the Lord. I
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say it again: rejoice!

say, Rejoice!

Contemporary English Version

Philippians 4:4
Always be glad because of
the Lord! I will say it again:
Be glad.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 11

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 4:6-7`
Philippians 4:6-7 Don't worry about anything,
but in all your prayers ask
Do not be anxious about anything, God for what you need,
always asking him with a
but in everything by prayer and thankful heart. And God's
supplication, with thanksgiving, let peace, which is far beyond
human understanding, will
your requests be made known to keep your hearts and minds
safe in union with Christ
God. And the peace of God which Jesus.

passes all understanding shall keep

your hearts and minds through Contemporary English Version

Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Don't worry about anything,
but pray about everything.
With thankful hearts offer up
your prayers and requests to
God. Then, because you
belong to Christ Jesus, God
will bless you with peace that
no one can completely
understand. And this peace
will control the way you think
and feel.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 12

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 4:8
Philippians 4:8 In conclusion, my friends, fill
your minds with those things
Finally, my brothers, whatever that are good and that
deserve praise: things that
things are true, whatever things are true, noble, right, pure,
are honest, whatever things are lovely, and honorable.

right, whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good
report; if there is any virtue and if Contemporary English Version

there is any praise, think on these Philippians 4:8

Finally, my friends, keep your
things. minds on whatever is true,
pure, right, holy, friendly, and
proper. Don't ever stop
thinking about what is truly
worthwhile and worthy of
praise.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 13

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 4:9
Philippians 4:9 Put into practice what you
learned and received from
Do those things which you have me, both from my words and
from my actions. And the
also learned and received and God who gives us peace will
heard and seen in me. And the be with you.

God of peace shall be with you.

Contemporary English Version

Philippians 4:9
You know the teachings I
gave you, and you know what
you heard me say and saw
me do. So follow my
example. And God, who gives
peace, will be with you.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 14

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 4:11
Philippians 4:11 And I am not saying this
because I feel neglected, for I
Not that I speak according to need, have learned to be satisfied
with what I have.
for I have learned to be content in
whatever state I am.

Contemporary English Version

Philippians 4:11
I am not complaining about
having too little. I have
learned to be satisfied with
whatever I have.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 15

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 4:13
Philippians 4:13 I have the strength to face all
conditions by the power that
I can do all things through Christ Christ gives me.

who strengthens me.

Contemporary English Version

Philippians 4:13
Christ gives me the strength
to face anything.

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 16

 Modern King James Good News Bible
Philippians 4:19
Philippians 4:19 And with all his abundant
wealth through Christ Jesus,
But my God shall supply all your my God will supply all your
needs.
need according to His riches in
glory by Christ Jesus.

Contemporary English Version

Philippians 4:19
I pray that God will take care
of all your needs with the
wonderful blessings that
come from Christ Jesus!

.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................
.........................................................................................................................................................................

St Marks Teen Church Page 17

 St Marks Youth Unlimited
P.O. Box 27033, Greenacres, P.E., 6057, RSA
410 Cape Road, Western Suburbs, Port Elizabeth, 6025
t: (041) 3606060 f: (041) 3609217
e: youth@stmarks.org.za
w: www.stmarks.org.za

CALLING young people to SHARE the riches of Christ,

to VALUE God and EQUIP themselves to SERVE others