Philippians 2

Review Philippians 1—from the Bible or from your summary outline. Consider how it fits into the teaching of the whole book and also how it relates to this chapter.

Read the second chapter two or three times to get an overall view of it. Follow this with careful verse-by-verse meditation through the chapter. As you do this, record on page 17 the problems you find.

As in your previous study, decide on the paragraphs of this chapter and make your own summary outline, averaging 5-10 words per verse. Summarize the paragraphs and add titles, or title the paragraphs before you summarize them, whichever you can do best. If your Bible is paragraphed, consider its divisions, but don't be bound by them—make your own.

List below the verses which raise problems and describe the problems in your own words. Note the sample problem.

Some problems will be answered as you continue to study the chapter and pray for understanding. For others, you may want to do extra research for answers—but wait till you have finished your week's study, in order not to become sidetracked or bogged down in problem study. However, be sure to look up definitions of words you don't understand as you come to them.

Suggestions for finding answers to problems:
(1) Check another translation.
(2) Use a concordance or The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge to trace cross references.
(3) Put the passage in your own words, making a mental or written paraphrase of it.
(4) Consult Halley's Bible Handbook.
(5) Look up the passage in a commentary.

In looking for cross references, select them for the thought of the verse you are cross referencing, not just for an identical word.

List on scratch paper verses from which your application might come. Meditate on them and choose the one you feel the Lord wants you to apply. Review the instructions on page 13 and write an application in three steps.

Sample application from Philippians 2:3:

1 What is God's desire for a Christian? This verse teaches that a Christian should not do anything in a way that produces strife, nor to bring praise or attention to himself, but to actually put others first.

2 What is my life like? This brings painfully to mind how often I jockey myself into position to be recognized—often at the expense of someone else. I did this the other day in a conversation with our office manager when I dropped two or three hints about my past accomplishments, and subtly downgraded my coworkers.

3 What can be done about it? I see now for the first time that this is actually a sin in my life which must be confessed. And I now must seek opportunities to put others first. Perhaps I will have a chance to do this within the next week by letting Frank be the spokesman when we submit our joint project. I will make it a matter of prayer that the Lord will give me grace to do this, and will give me a genuine spirit of humility.