Home > Lessons > New Testament > Philippians > More than Enough

Philippians

Lesson 8: More than Enough

Lesson Workbook (PDF) - Click Here for NIV  Click Here for KJV

LESSON OBJECTIVES

Goals

1. To help students realize that Jesus is the source for joy.
2. To challenge students to give up temporary earthly treasures for eternal heavenly ones.
3. For students to help meet the needs of others who have less by sharing generously.

Topics

Caring, Contentment, Giving, Happiness, Joy, Sharing, Stewardship, Treasures

OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)

GROUP BUILDING (10 minutes)

(Have everyone take a piece of paper and number it one to ten.
Then list who they believe are the ten richest people in the world in decending order.
See how well the class did.)

Source 2006 Forbes.com 

GETTING STARTED (10 minutes)

1. How hard do you think it is for these people to rely on Jesus?
2. What do you think these people do with all this money?
3. If you had as much money as say Bill Gates, what would you do with it?

We will get back to these type of questions later, but now, lets begin our lesson.

DIGGING IN (30 minutes)

For our lesson today, we’re going to read the last part of the book of Philippians. Often, we think the content of a Biblical letter drops off towards the end, but this simply isn’t true with Philippians. Let’s read it and then jump in and see what God has to say to us today.

Read Philippians 4: 10-13

Discussion Questions:
1. In verse 10 we hear the word rejoice again. Paul doesn’t seem to stop having joy. What is the source of his joy this time?
2. Why, according to the text, were the Philippians concerned for Paul?
3. What did they do as a result of that concern?

Paul was a missionary, and missionaries need help. Whether it is a place to stay or money to provide for their needs. It was not uncommon for Paul & co. to receive gifts from churches where they had visited. We also know that Paul earned a living as a tent maker, but it seems like from here and other passages that he had partners who helped support his missionary journeys.

4. When do you think Paul was most in need?
5. When do you think Paul had plenty?
6. Paul says that no matter what, he knew how to be content. What was the source of his contentment?

7. When you hear statistics like that, what do you think of god’s promises?
8. God promises to shelter us and feed us. Has He made good on that promise in your life?
9. You are probably aware that some people do die of starvation. Why didn’t God keep his promise in that case?

Read Philippians 4: 14-23

Disussion Questions:

1. Name the places Paul mentions being content/happy/etc.
2. Name the places he mentions being in need.
3. Look at the passage again closely…who provided for those needs. Name the sources.

It seems like God provided for Paul in lots of ways, not the least of which was through other people. It’s the people that Paul is praising here, along with his God. Put more correctly, he is praising God for his Philippian friends. He thanks them profoundly in verses 14-19.

4. From our study in Philippians, name some cool things Paul did when he ministered here on earth.
5. Do you think Paul would’ve been able to do those things if it weren’t for his fellow Christians giving to him and supporting him in various ways?
6. How would the world be different if people didn’t provide for people in need?

MAKING IT REAL (10 minutes)

if it weren’t for the Philippians, Paul may not have been able to do what he did. Yes, Paul says he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him. That’s the famous verse a lot of us know. But in the very next verse, he says it was still good that the Philippians shared, and he was grateful for it.

I want to challenge each of you with one very obvious truth…you have so that you can give away. God has given you things so that you can help provide for people in need. You might not have as much as Bill Gates or even as much as the person sitting next to you, but giving is less about the amount you have and more about your willingness to share what you do have.

I know you are teenagers, but I believe you are ready to hear this…if you hold on to money while other people do without, you are disrupting the potential of the gospel and your own spiritual wellbeing. These next questions are show of hand only, you don’t need to answer out loud.

• How many of you get an allowance?
• How many of you have a part-time job?
• How many of you spend more than 7 dollars a week?
• How many of you spend more than 30 dollars a month?

Why do I ask these questions? Did you know that the $7 you spend a week could feed a hungry person for a whole week? Did you know the $30 a month could feed a child for a whole month? What you have can and should be used to help those in need. 
 

SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION (5 to 10 minutes)

This Weeks Verses
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Phil 4: 13 NIV)

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.  (Phil 4:10-13 NIV)

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)

It is almost impossible to read the book of Philippians and not realize the deep partnership represented. Paul leaned heavily on his fellow Christians, and they provided. It’s time we do the same. Let’s pray that God would cause us to feel the same urgency for helping out our brothers and sisters as the Philippians did for Paul.