Calvary Vero Home Groups

Sermon-Based Discussion

Week of 10/5/2025

Pastor Jim Gallagher

Introduction

In Philippians 1:27-2:4, Paul is writing to the church in Philippi to continue his encouragement regarding the believer’s struggles and their response to them. In verse 27, he encourages them to “conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel.” No matter the circumstances, Christians are to let their behavior reflect who they are in Christ.

1. Jim began by leaning into the idea of conduct. There is an action connected to the word. We are to balance our state of being/identity (a child of God) with our attitude and behavior. Jim acknowledged the battle that it can be for us to remember who we are with whose we are.

- What do you do to act in light of who you say you are, a believer?

- How often do you pray about your behavior to change? What has God taught you as a result of those prayers?


2. As Christians we are citizens of heaven while living as citizens on earth. Jim shared the Greek language in this section, and he broke it down to show that Paul was challenging our perspective on citizenship. We are to behave as citizens of our state (heaven). He cross-referenced Ephesians 6:4 where the term training is used.

- Living as a citizen of heaven, even though we live in Florida or in the US, might cause us to act differently than those around us. Are you influenced by the culture more than you think? How so?

- How do you train to “contend for the Gospel”?


3. We should expect challenges (v.28-29). And we are not alone in those struggles, which WILL come to all believers. We get to “stand fast in one spirit.” We are to not merely endure (stand), but we are also to strive forward, in spite of those struggles. We are to encourage one another to imitate Christ in how we treat each other and how we respond to one another.

- Have your struggles kept you from seeing Jesus as your Savior, or have they maybe diminished some aspect of His work in your life? What has God taught you through them?

- What is your view of community, especially in Christ? How has it changed/evolved through the years?


4. In Chapter 2, verse 1-4, we are confronted with a healthy approach to community. “Each of you should not only look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” In this striving together, we are to think well of and esteem one another. So much of today’s teaching was about a balanced approach, and this section keeps that theme going.

- How do you balance your interests with the interests of others? What are the signs to you that you’ve gone too far in thinking about yourself or too far in thinking of others?

- Have you examined your own interests lately? Do you hold too tightly, as if your citizenship is here rather than heaven?