Discussion Questions: "Overcoming Hurdles" & Philippians 1:9-11

Read Philippians 1:1-11. Discuss some or all of the following questions.

1. What does it mean to have "informed affections"? Are you pursuing this? Explain.
2. Paul moves from expressing his love for people to praying for them. Are you expressing your love for others by praying for them? Pray for some people now.
3. Paul prays for the Philippians' love to grow. How do people define love? How does Philippians describe real love?
4. Have you ever prayed for discernment? Stop and pray for discernment for both yourself and your church. Pray that you would not only do what is right but that you would also do what is best.
5. Stop and pray for purity in your life and in the life of your church, particularly in areas related to relationships.
6. Paul prays for the believers to be filled with the fruit of righteousness. What does this mean? What might this look like?
7. Paul reminds the church that these virtues and grace come "through Jesus Christ" and they should be done for the glory of God. Stop and thank Christ for being united to Him (if you're a Christian), and ask Him to empower you for faithful Christian living. Pray also that your life may be lived with a radical passion for God to be glorified.