Discovering Joy in Philippians Online | Session 4
Welcome back!
We’ve completed the first three chapters of Discovering Joy in Philippians. Next up is to watch the Session 4 video below. It’s on the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. You might want to grab your book and turn to page 77 so you can follow along.
When you finish the video, answer the questions you find below the video. Then complete chapter 4 in Discovering Joy in Philippians so you’ll be ready for the Session 5 video!
If you can’t participate now, that’s okay. I’ll leave these posts up for you to do when you’re ready.
Video: The Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
After you finish the video on the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ, answer these questions in the comments.
Questions to answer in the comments:
- Page 51: What good has come to you through a past hardship? What eternal good may God be working through a current hardship?
- Page 56: How does seeing your life’s purpose as living for Christ affect your attitude toward today’s hardships?
- What joy builder blessed you the most this past week? Explain.
Before watching next week’s video…
Complete Chapter 4: Live a Bold, Gospel-Worthy Life. Come back next week to discuss. Can’t wait to hear from you!
Want to learn more about evidence for the resurrection?
Here are some great resources for further study on the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Cold-Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace: A homicide detective and former atheist examines the evidence for Christianity in this easy-to-read book.
- The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel: A journalist and former atheist investigates the claims of Christianity in this best seller.
- The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary R. Habermas and Michael R. Licona: Two scholars detail the extensive evidence for the resurrection of Jesus.
1) One hardship that brought good is multiple miscarriages brought opportunities to help others who couldn’t have children and enabled us to care for foster children. The eternal good God may be working through a current hardship includes heavenly reward for enduring hardship with faith!
2) I have a burst blood vessel in my eye for the third time in a month (doctors are running tests). My unattractive eye makes it apparent to others that I don’t live a charmed life. But it doesn’t affect my ability to write about God or meet with friends. It’s a testimony that this body will fail, but my hope is in Christ, who will resurrect me in a glorious body that will never fail.
3) I like the joy builder on page 58–See the Eternal Perspective. Taking the time to examine difficult situations and consider both the earthly and eternal perspectives gives me peace and joy. We received some news recently that is bad from an earthly perspective. But from the eternal perspective, God has our lives in his hands and he will lead us where we can best serve his kingdom.
It increased my faith and I was able to encourage others in their hardships.
They are light and momentary.
An eternal perspective brings peace and joy.
Hi, Diane,
1) Awesome!
2) So important to remember.
3) It does! <3
1 One hardship that I went through breast cancer it was a rough period for my husband and I. We learned that through our strength in God other people saw our true faith and learned their problems weren’t as big as they thought they were. Some even learned to trust in God. They said if I could go through breast cancer with a smile on my face 0+they realized that with God they could face their problems
2 I just recently recover from Bronchitis and Bronchial spasms it lasted almost three months and multiple different medications trying to find one that would work yet through it I still was able to do my Bible studies and talk to people about our wonderful God even if it was over the phone and it was a testimony as to how even though I was very sick I still knew God was in control
3 I love the see the eternal perspective as when we went through a very stressful situation thebearthly perspective seemed so depressing and scaredy however putting it in Gods hands made the perspective so easy with just simple changes the situation was easily solved
Hi, Kim–
1) You lived through hardship in a gospel-worthy manner and got to see fruit! Awesome!
2) Another example of gospel-worthy living bringing fruit–praise God that he is in control.
3) Wow–praise God for this!
your testimony is an inspiration!
I have had quite a number of trials in my life. I have seen people come to Christ as a result of past hardship i have been through. I have experienced deep personal growth and a trust for all provisions in this life to come from God. I have a maturity in faith that i would not have gained any other way… yet i am still watching as He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it!
Life is difficult… Seeing that it is not about me.. my comfort or my “needs” and wants but about leading a purposeful life in Christ gives me motivation to persevere when things are not going well;-)
Seems the eternal perspective in every life situation frees me to experience joy. I no longer have to be self absorbed. I can let go of strife because I know the One who knows everything and has given us the victory over the world. I can share my joy in believing with others suffering in a lost world.
very inspirational it is amazing how God strengthens us through these trials
Hi, Lisa–thank you for sharing.
1) I too have gained spiritual maturity from difficulties that couldn’t have come any other way.
2) Yes, life is difficult, but knowing and seeking the purpose God has for us is essential for joy.
3) Yes! Love the way you put this.
Although I was brought up in a Christian home and became a Christian as a teenager I was led astray in my late teens and got so lost it took a brain haemorrhage to get me back into the fold. I remember waking up with the worst headache ever. After running downstairs for painkillers I stood at the bottom of the stairs where I was made conscious of my sin. I had gone so far astray I was completely numb to sin. Having been given a second chance I have come back to the Lord and seeking to do his will.
My current hardship – I remain a wheelchair user 22 years later and actively campaign for disability rights wherever I can. (see my banner on my Facebook photo). I have also set up an accessible Women’s Institute group with the help of my carer. Stour Power WI is now coming up to our 5th birthday and we meet at my local church. We have seen lots of strong friendships formed, learned new skills, written a poetry book which is raising funds for a local Cancer charity. with lots of knitting, sewing and other making for charity as well as supporting the local food-bank.I can definitely see God at work through all of us.
Affects my attitude because I know God can use me in spite of my disabilities, even because of them. Encourages me to know its all part of God’s plan.
Really blessed by seeing the eternal view of problems. Can’t wait for my new eternal body.
1) Wow, Jane–that’s an inspiring story.
2) That is a hardship indeed, and you’re using it for good. That’s awesome.
3) Yes–it’ll be amazing.
In 1999 we had a fire, it could have seemed like the end of the world to us, we lost a lot. But as God so often does, He replaced beauty for ashes, what seemed bad, was actually for our good because our home was remade even better than it was before. We recognized that it was one of those awesomely strange ways God sometimes works in blessing us through something that went wrong.
I’m working through coping with my son’s murder, trying to keep focused on the heart of Jesus through it all, trying to make sense of it, and thoughts of salvation for his murderer keep coming to my mind. In this world, that’s not the normal thing to think, under the circumstances, it’s not the normal attitude to have. Which is living proof that living for Christ affects attitude, because the Holy Spirit and the heart of Jesus keep nudging me with these thoughts. Most people wouldn’t ordinarily have those kinds of thoughts after their son had been murdered. I do need prayer for direction and obedience for God’s purpose.
The thought of delighting in eternity is my favorite joy builder, and seeing my boy again.
Yvonne, thank you so much for sharing.
1) Your recovery from the fire is an amazing testimony.
2) I am so sorry about your son’s murder. May the Lord grant you direction and obedience, as you ask. May he send his Holy Spirit to draw the murderer’s heart after him that he might taste of God’s forgiveness. May he grant you peace and joy.
3) Eternity awaits.
Day 3 #16. Question… It speaks of the Sanhedrin, flogging Peter & John. I wonder if “Saul of Tarsus” our St. Paul was among in the Sanhedrin??? Did Saul witnessed them rejoicing after being flogged….. being worthy of the suffering and disgrace for our Christ and his gospel….. I think so 🙂
In Acts we hear of “Saul” at Stephen’s stoning, Barnabas goes to Tarsus to look for “Saul” Acts 11:25, return to Jerusalem Acts 12:25
then we hear of Saul also called Paul Acts 13:9
Hi, Cynthia. That’s some good thinking! In Philippians 3:4-6, Paul lists his Jewish credentials, but doesn’t say he was ever a member of the Sanhedrin; that would have been a huge credential, so he probably would have listed it. Paul doesn’t mention living in Jerusalem, and I think I read somewhere that only citizens could be members of the Jerusalem Sanhedrin. He certainly worked with the Sanhedrin, though (Acts 9:1-2). On the other hand, the flogging was likely outside in public, so one didn’t have to be a member to witness it. At the stoning of Stephen, Paul is described as “a young man,” so he may have been too young at that point anyway (Acts 7:58). A lot of positions (including the priesthood) required men to be at least 30. The elders took Stephen out of the city to stone him, and that’s where we first hear of Saul by his Hebrew name. Luke switches to using his Greek name (Paul) when he records Paul’s ministry in Greece. Luke interviewed Paul, so Paul probably told Luke about witnessing the stoning. Galatians 1:16-22 suggests Paul didn’t know Peter until years after his own conversion. So the bottom line: Paul probably wasn’t a member of the ruling council of Jerusalem even though he worked with them, and there’s no mention of him witnessing the flogging of Peter and John. Keep up the good work, Cynthia!
1) I went through a season of some years that had turmoil and crisis on every level, my family on the verge of being torn apart, and things kept getting worse- what I now refer to as my ‘wilderness’ season. So much heartache, fear, insecurity- it took everything in me to hang on to any semblance of faith and hope. When there seemed to be no hope left, then He did miracles. One “small” one after another. The good that came out of that season- would take pages to articulate! “The Lord your God….who led you through that great and terrible wilderness… that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do you good in the end.” Deuteronomy 8. That happened for me, and for my family.
2) In a current hardship: it has been so helpful to view it in the light of my life’s purpose- even as I am at times unclear about what that life purpose is! I am His to command and I will serve wherever He sets me. My previous season in the wilderness taught me so much about faith and hope and how to hold my life, my plans loosely. The bonus- previously while I white knuckled my way through by faith- I didn’t experience much peace or joy in the midst. This current hardship, BONUS: I’m experiencing that peace and joy that He has for us, no matter our circumstances. This study has coached me in ways that are priceless 🙂
3) Joy builders: I am practicing some of the concepts from Video #2- and thanking God upon every remembrance of people in my life- rehearsing the good, refusing to rehearse the ‘wrong’- wow. That really builds joy. Another significant joy builder: the Eternal Perspective exercise. Thinking through the circumstance, looking at the natural, earthly perspective- then reframing in an eternal perspective. Changes everything. That’s another habit I want to practice and build on!
Hi, Judith! 1) That’s quite a testimony–thanks for sharing. 2) That’s wonderful. I’m so happy to hear that. Praise God! 3) Excellent habits that have been significant for me too. Thanks, Judith, for your testimony here.
It drew me close to God, as I took my refuge in Him. Through the hardships God will bring fruit that result in eternal reward.
It helps you to persevere; it helps you to stay focused on your mission in the midst of adversity; it helps you to remain faithful, joyful, peaceful, grateful.
The joy it brings when we look to the Eternal purpose instead of remaining focused on today’s troubles.
Well put, Annelies. Yes, remembering our eternal purpose brings joy.
past – my husband, Frank & I had a rough relationship, yet we both grew in our relationship with the Lord and with each other because of that.
current – I’m working with my mom and family – learning what is important and that my way is not always the only way to get things done. (mom has dementia and other health issues)
It helps me see the lesson or growth for me more easily, as well as how it may be an example to others for Christ.
Describing a difficult circumstance and looking at both the earthly and eternal perspective is so helpful!
I agree: Looking at both earthly and eternal perspectives helps a lot! Thanks for sharing.
Answer to question one: We found a church with great preaching and wonderful christian friends. This has taught
me to lean on Him in all situations.
Answer to question two: I believe I look for the joy God has for me. Sometime it’s hard but worth it.
Answer to question three: I read Psalm 16 I love verse 11 You will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal
pleasures at you right hand.
Finding a good church helps us grow–I’m thankful you found one. That’s a wonderful verse. Thanks for sharing!