SD Jan 17.Industrious
Industrious Phil. 2:25-30, 4:18; 2 Tim. 2:3-7
Life Change Objective: That we lay our lives on the line for our friends.
Theme Epaphroditus was a hard-working soldier: exalting brotherhood, expending himself, and enduring hardship.
Via Egnatia near Philippi: The Via Egnatia was one of the most important roads in the Roman Empire. It cut across the Balkan and led to Thessalonica. Thus the Via Egnatia connected Italy to the provinces of Asia Minor. It was rebuilt on previous roads in the middle of the 2nd century BCE.
Opening Questions • • •
In reflecting back over the sermon, which particular point or passage of Scripture most challenged, confused or caught your attention? Ask the group to share examples of self-sacrificial service. o How was this service valued? Consider how self-sacrifice could de-rail into an obsession rather than a call.
Observe: What do you see? Scriptures covered – Phil. 2:25-30, 4:18; 2 Tim. 2:3-7 Epaphroditus' journey from Philippi to Rome. •
How far did Epaphroditus travel to reach Rome? How long do you think it took him to complete this journey on foot? (See map)
• • • •
Phil. 2:25 and 4:18 gives us an indication of what the purpose of Epaphroditus' mission was. Discuss. Which circumstances could have contributed to Epaphroditus' hardship and sickness? Discuss the 3 'my' titles and the two 'your' titles Paul used to recognize Epaphroditus in Phil 2:25. What does this tell us about Paul's regard of him? In :29-30, Paul uses his apostolic authority to urge the Philippians to regard Epaphroditus with the same high regard. What quality in Epaphroditus' character is Paul promoting?
Interpret: What does it mean? •
•
•
Paul's high regard for Epaphroditus did not only come because of what he did, for Paul, but why he did it. Discuss what Epaphroditus' motivation for his mission could have been. While Epaphroditus served in self-denial and self-sacrifice, his actions did however lead to his recognition and regard. Paul introduced this message earlier in the same chapter of Philippians, by giving us another example on the same theme. Discuss this example recorded in 2:6-9. In 2:27, Paul attributes Epaphroditus' recovery to God's mercy only. o What does this teach us about the attitude to claim certain benefits from God? o Or to earn benefits from God through service?
Application: How can I put this knowledge to use? If a person believes he or she is of no value and yet volunteers to serve God, that person may not truly be an effec9ve servant of God. The biblical way to build self‐esteem is to do the best we can and be proud of what we have accomplished (Gal. 6:4). In biblical self‐denial we seek to be good stewards of our talents by cul9va9ng our God‐given skills so that we will have even more to contribute to God’s work (MaG. 25:14–30). ‐ Benner, D. G., & Hill, P. C.
• • •
How is a healthy self-esteem as well as self-denial, prerequisites for effective Christian service? What does self-denial mean in practical terms? Consider what Arthur Pink has to say about his topic in the Appendix. Self-sacrifice is not an end in itself, neither is it a sacrifice to self. It has to be of value to others and ultimately to God. Which are practical sacrifices in this context for myself and this group?
•
Explore the differences between self-sacrifice (or self-denial) and self-rejection.
Appendices
'Brother', 'Worker' and 'Soldier'
Pink on Cross‐bearing
It means in the first place, abandoning his own righteousness; but it means far more than that. That is only its first meaning. It means refusing to rest upon my own wisdom. It means far more than that. It means ceasing to insist upon my own rights. It means repudiating self itself. It means ceasing to consider our own comforts, our own ease, our own pleasure, our own aggrandizement, our own benefits. It means being done with self. It means, beloved, saying with the apostle, For me to live is, not self, but Christ. For me to live is to obey Christ, to serve Christ, to honor Christ, to spend myself for Him. ‐ Pink, A. W. (2005). The Arthur Pink anthology
Theology of Self‐Denial.
Jesus is the ultimate model of authentic life; that is, he lived life as it was created to be by the author of life for all humans to follow (Acts 3:15). Jesus did not glorify himself by becoming the center of an adoring cult of people who demeaned themselves in response to his demands. Instead he described himself as a suffering servant (Mark 9:35). Jesus was self-sacrificing and self-denying. This empowered him to be the ultimate giver of love to all humankind. He calls us to follow his supreme example so that we can fulfill our mission in life just as he did. Jesus took up his cross and became the Savior of the world, and he was taken up to glory (Acts 1:8–9). He has given us human hope that as we put God’s work first, we too will have abundant life (John 10:10) as we fulfill our Godgiven mission on earth. Self-denial does not mean therefore that we become people of no consequence or value; instead it means that we become the very best that we can be. Because we love God, we trust that through service to God and to other people we may also have personal fulfillment. - Benner, D. G., & Hill, P. C. (1999). Baker encyclopedia of psychology & counseling (2nd
ed.).
Life Change Objective: That we lay our lives on the line for our friends.
Theme Epaphroditus was a hard-working soldier: exalting brotherhood, expending himself, and enduring hardship.
Via Egnatia near Philippi: The Via Egnatia was one of the most important roads in the Roman Empire. It cut across the Balkan and led to Thessalonica. Thus the Via Egnatia connected Italy to the provinces of Asia Minor. It was rebuilt on previous roads in the middle of the 2nd century BCE.
Opening Questions • • •
In reflecting back over the sermon, which particular point or passage of Scripture most challenged, confused or caught your attention? Ask the group to share examples of self-sacrificial service. o How was this service valued? Consider how self-sacrifice could de-rail into an obsession rather than a call.
Observe: What do you see? Scriptures covered – Phil. 2:25-30, 4:18; 2 Tim. 2:3-7 Epaphroditus' journey from Philippi to Rome. •
How far did Epaphroditus travel to reach Rome? How long do you think it took him to complete this journey on foot? (See map)
• • • •
Phil. 2:25 and 4:18 gives us an indication of what the purpose of Epaphroditus' mission was. Discuss. Which circumstances could have contributed to Epaphroditus' hardship and sickness? Discuss the 3 'my' titles and the two 'your' titles Paul used to recognize Epaphroditus in Phil 2:25. What does this tell us about Paul's regard of him? In :29-30, Paul uses his apostolic authority to urge the Philippians to regard Epaphroditus with the same high regard. What quality in Epaphroditus' character is Paul promoting?
Interpret: What does it mean? •
•
•
Paul's high regard for Epaphroditus did not only come because of what he did, for Paul, but why he did it. Discuss what Epaphroditus' motivation for his mission could have been. While Epaphroditus served in self-denial and self-sacrifice, his actions did however lead to his recognition and regard. Paul introduced this message earlier in the same chapter of Philippians, by giving us another example on the same theme. Discuss this example recorded in 2:6-9. In 2:27, Paul attributes Epaphroditus' recovery to God's mercy only. o What does this teach us about the attitude to claim certain benefits from God? o Or to earn benefits from God through service?
Application: How can I put this knowledge to use? If a person believes he or she is of no value and yet volunteers to serve God, that person may not truly be an effec9ve servant of God. The biblical way to build self‐esteem is to do the best we can and be proud of what we have accomplished (Gal. 6:4). In biblical self‐denial we seek to be good stewards of our talents by cul9va9ng our God‐given skills so that we will have even more to contribute to God’s work (MaG. 25:14–30). ‐ Benner, D. G., & Hill, P. C.
• • •
How is a healthy self-esteem as well as self-denial, prerequisites for effective Christian service? What does self-denial mean in practical terms? Consider what Arthur Pink has to say about his topic in the Appendix. Self-sacrifice is not an end in itself, neither is it a sacrifice to self. It has to be of value to others and ultimately to God. Which are practical sacrifices in this context for myself and this group?
•
Explore the differences between self-sacrifice (or self-denial) and self-rejection.
Appendices
'Brother', 'Worker' and 'Soldier'
Pink on Cross‐bearing
It means in the first place, abandoning his own righteousness; but it means far more than that. That is only its first meaning. It means refusing to rest upon my own wisdom. It means far more than that. It means ceasing to insist upon my own rights. It means repudiating self itself. It means ceasing to consider our own comforts, our own ease, our own pleasure, our own aggrandizement, our own benefits. It means being done with self. It means, beloved, saying with the apostle, For me to live is, not self, but Christ. For me to live is to obey Christ, to serve Christ, to honor Christ, to spend myself for Him. ‐ Pink, A. W. (2005). The Arthur Pink anthology
Theology of Self‐Denial.
Jesus is the ultimate model of authentic life; that is, he lived life as it was created to be by the author of life for all humans to follow (Acts 3:15). Jesus did not glorify himself by becoming the center of an adoring cult of people who demeaned themselves in response to his demands. Instead he described himself as a suffering servant (Mark 9:35). Jesus was self-sacrificing and self-denying. This empowered him to be the ultimate giver of love to all humankind. He calls us to follow his supreme example so that we can fulfill our mission in life just as he did. Jesus took up his cross and became the Savior of the world, and he was taken up to glory (Acts 1:8–9). He has given us human hope that as we put God’s work first, we too will have abundant life (John 10:10) as we fulfill our Godgiven mission on earth. Self-denial does not mean therefore that we become people of no consequence or value; instead it means that we become the very best that we can be. Because we love God, we trust that through service to God and to other people we may also have personal fulfillment. - Benner, D. G., & Hill, P. C. (1999). Baker encyclopedia of psychology & counseling (2nd
ed.).
