Philippians
Lesson 6: Stand Firm
Lesson Workbook (PDF) - Click Here for NIV Click Here for KJV
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Goals
1. To present a healthy standard for Christian living.
2. To familiarize students with the idea of a resurrected physical body.
3. For students to establish or renew their commitment to stand firm until the day of the Lord.
Topics
Endurance, Perseverance, Peer Pressure, Preparedness, Stand Firm, Resurrection, Worldliness
OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)
GROUP BUILDING (10 minutes)
To begin with today, we’re going to see how well you know TV commercials. I'm going to mention a familar commercial slogan, and your tell me the product or company that goes with it. For example the slogan "I'm loving it!" belongs to McDonalds. Ready? (This brain teaser can also be found in the lesson workbook.)
| SLOGAN | PRODUCT |
| "Have it your way" | Burger King |
| "No rules, just right" | Outback Steakhouse |
| "Do what tastes right" | Dairy Queen |
| "Try it, you'll like it" | Alka-seltzer |
| "It's all within your reach" | ATT |
| "Because your worth it" | Loreal |
| "Life is short, play hard" | Reebok |
| "Enjoy" | Coke |
It's amazing how these slogans stick with us. These are only a few examples, there are many more.
Did you notice what these slogans have in common? (Allow for responses)
Do you think the marketing and advertising world has gotten into your life…into the church in general, and tainted our faith?
How so?
They all relect the mindset of self indulgence, rebellion, and physical happiness. Sort of like the eat, drink and be merry attitude. We will explore this mindset in more detail as we continue on with our lesson today.
GETTING STARTED (10 minutes)
Stand Firm
(Use this simple activity to introduce the concept of standing firm. You will demonstrate how easy it is to lose your balance when you do not have two feet firmly on the ground.)
I need one volunteer to come to the front of the class.
Okay, now I want you to stand on one foot, Good, now hold it.
Now, I need another volunteer to come up here to the front
(Wait until the volunteer #2 gets to the front of the room.)
Now, I want you to push volunteer #1 over. Go ahead, give a little push! (The person will easily lose their balance)
Alright, now volunteer #1, I want you to stand on both feet, and spread them wide, at least shoulder-length apart. Now push again and notice the difference.
(You can repeat the two scenarios with other students, if desired)
Okay, what’s the difference between the two times? How come on the first try the person almost always loses their balance, and on the second try it’s much harder to push someone over? The answer is obvious. With two feet on the ground, you can stand firm.
Our lesson today is about standing firm. Last week we discussed how we cannot gain salvation from our own efforts, even good ones. But there is also a behavioral standard for Christians.
DIGGING IN (30 minutes)
In our lesson today, Paul mentions another group of people to be aware of. He calls them the "Enemies of the Cross" and he warns the Philippians not to be anything like them. Scholars refer to this group as the "Antinomians", perhaps because they claimed to be Christians but did not have any rules or laws that they lived by. They lived with no standards. They were almost the oppostie of the Judiazers of Paul's time, and there were most likely some in the midst of the Philippian church.
Judaizers severe religious restriction |
< > | Antinomians hardly any moral restrictions |
Read Philippians 3:17-4:1
Discussion Questions
1. Why do you think Paul says what he does in verse 17?
2. Do you think it is right for him to say that?
3. What emotions does Paul display in verse 18? (The NIV translates v. 18 poorly. The greek word for "tears" is much stronger. The New American standard does a good job and translates that word as “weeping”.)
4. Verses 19 describes further the "enemies of the cross," or the "Antinomians." How does this sound like our world today?
5. From where does Paul say we are citizens, and how should this affect our way of life?
Paul is pointing out that we need to be different. Because of Christ and because of the joy we have, our behavior should not be like that of someone of this earth, but that of an “alien”. We cannot claim to be Christians and cling to self-induced rules. Neither can we claim to be Christians without being different from non-christians.
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MAKING IT REAL (15 minutes)
Workbook Activity (10 minutes)In what ways does the world tend to rub off on you? Take a few moments and answer the following questions. They are intended to start you thinking about how the things of this world may be affecting your life. Your answers personal, not to be shared so be honest with yourself.
• Do you think you need more than food, clothing, and god’s love? (Yes) ____ (No) ____ • If aliens were to come to earth, knowing nothing about our planet, and they were asked who you looked or acted like, who would they choose? |
This activity should at least start us thinking about how the world affects our lives. More often than not, we say one thing and do another. Very few of us really live out our faith in tangible ways.
Read again Philippians 3: 20- 4: 1
Discussion Questions:
1. What’s the therefore there for?
2. What is the end result of standing firm for the Christian? (We should stand firm because our citizenship is heaven. We are not native to this earth. We belong elsewhere, and paul says we should act like it. He says we should stand firm, so that someday we can go home. In fact, our bodies will be transformed to a glorified body. For people who stand firm in Christ, there’s a great reward awaiting us.)
SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION (5 to 10 minutes)
This Weeks Verses
"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ" Philippians 3: 20
"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!" Philippians 3:17- 4:1
Memory Review
Students should be doing the memorizing on their own. If they struggle with last weeks verse(s), go back with them and help them at least get the short one down. Use this time to review what they have memorized thus far, and to encourage everyone to take the time to memorize this week’s verse(s).
CLOSING PRAYER (2 minutes)
Have students close their eyes and think upon an area where they need to stand firm. Perhaps they are spirituality propped up on only one foot, and satan is pushing them over again and again. Ask them to pray silently that they could stand firm. Then, close in an audible prayer for your students, that they may be able to stand firm this week.