Glencairn MB Church

Going Deeper is designed for use with your small group, a friend or on you own. Its aim is to create time for you to spend with God and his word. Do as much or as little as you like. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact one of our pastoral staff.

1. Pray for the needs of your Life Group, for our church and our leaders, for personal and corporate renewal, and to allow God’s word to transform us.
Share a recent entry from your Life Journal with the group.

2. The text for this Sunday was Phil 1:12-30; the focus of the message this Sunday was the priority of the gospel in our lives. What thoughts or questions did the message raise for you?

3. Read Phil 1:12-30 out loud. What stands out to you as you read this text? What challenges you? What parts are hard to understand?

4. Focus on Phil 1:12-14. Unpack Paul’s take on his imprisonment. What is most important to him? What does not seem to concern him? If you were in prison, awaiting a trial that might lead to your execution, what would be uppermost in your mind? How does this connect with Phil 1:21-24?

5. Paul’s concern in any circumstance is the furthering of the gospel. Share what you understand by the term “gospel”; how would you explain what the gospel of Christ is? Scott McKnight defines the gospel as “The work of God to restore humans to union with God and communion with others, in the context of a community, for the food of others and the world”. What do you think of this definition?

6. To what extent is the gospel of Christ a priority in your life? Do you view any circumstance in your life (good or bad, easy or difficult) though the lens of how it can help you further the gospel? How might your attitude to life change if you did?

6. Take a moment of silence as you consider how God is speaking to you. Do you sense God inviting you to bring greater joy into all your relationships? What concrete steps can you take in response? How can your group support you in these steps?