Those who cultivate a servant’s heart and withstand a servant’s hardships, we will receive a servant’s honor.

PHILIPPIANS 2:19-30 (NASB)

19 But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. 20 For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. 21 For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. 23 Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things gowith me; 24 and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. 25 But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need;26 because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you.29 Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard;30 because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

Romans 12:2 (NASB)

2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

James 1:2 (NASB)

2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

James 4:17 (NASB)

17Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

DISCUSSION

1.  With the understanding that Paul wrote this book while in prison, how could you find courage to choose joy in your own personal "prison"?

2.  What would describe some personal "prisons" within believers? Example: attitudes, mindsets or leaning on our own understanding.

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Christ died so we can be set free!

Webster's defines "call" as a divine vocation or strong inner prompting to a particular course of action.

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3.  With the above definition in mind, what call or strong inner prompting do you have?

Faith is an action word!

To "follow" is defined as, to go, to copy, to imitate. Just like children imitate their parents gestures and behaviors, so we, beloved, should follow after Christ.

4.  What are some tangible ways we get to follow Christ?

5.  How has that simple act of obedience changed your life or the life of someone else?

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A Call to Love Others

What is a divine inner prompting to really love others? This is where actions speak louder than words, for sure.

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6.  Do you see a need in someone's life? Could God be prompting you to be the vessel that He will work through?

7.  What are some practical ways we can put our "call" or inner prompting into real life that will make a difference in someone's life?

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Vision for the world starts with one life at a time.

PRAYER

Gracious Father, let our lives be a shining reflection of Your grace and mercy. Sharpen our ears to hear Your voice, making us sensitive to the needs all around us.

Holy Spirit, You are our teacher and guide, open our eyes to see others as loved by Christ, whether they are in prison or a palace. Give us a heart after Yours, in Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

GIVING

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