Philippians: 8 Studies for Individuals and Groups

Everyone Bible Study Guides

by N.T. Wright, Dale Larsen (Contributor), Sandy Larsen (Contributor)

Things don't always go the way we intend. It's easy to feel discouraged because what we hope for is badly thwarted, or because people make life difficult. Paul, writing to the Philippians from prison, certainly knew what it was like to have plans interrupted. But he maintains robust confidence in God's overruling power, even when everything seems to be going wrong. These eight studies will help us learn from Paul the art of seeing God's purposes working out through problems and difficulties, and will deepen our own confidence in God's power.

Genres: Religion, Biblical Studies, Christian, Nonfiction

51 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 2, 2009

About the author

N. T. Wright is the former Bishop of Durham in the Church of England (2003-2010) and one of the world's leading Bible scholars. He is now serving as the chair of New Testament and Early Christianity at the School of Divinity at the University of St. Andrews. He has been featured on ABC News, Dateline NBC, The Colbert Report, and Fresh Air, and he has taught New Testament studies at Cambridge, McGill, and Oxford universities. Wright is the award-winning author of Surprised by Hope, Simply Christian, The Last Word, The Challenge of Jesus, The Meaning of Jesus (coauthored with Marcus Borg), as well as the much heralded series Christian Origins and the Question of God.

He also publishes under Tom Wright.

Reviews

[Bridget Jeffries · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mostly discussion questions. They aren't bad discussion questions by any means, but even just a few pages of commentary on each chapter would have been nice.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an encouraging, convicting way to dig into Paul's prison letter to his dear friends in Philippi. I did this study (and the corresponding commentaryPaul for Everyone: The Prison Letters Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon) in preparation for a Bible study which was not using these materials. I found it an effective way to prepare. The questions helped me to make sure I was paying attention to each passage, working through systematically. There was a great balance of comprehension questions, explanation, and personal application. I liked the suggested prayers at the end of each chapter.

I recommend this whole series of study guides and the accompanying commentaries (New Testament by N.T. Wright, Old Testament by John Goldingay). This is at least the third study guide I've done (Romans and Hebrews being the others), and I also find the commentaries particularly helpful.

[Janet Mahlum · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this book for my Bible Sunday School class because one of the class members said she wanted to study Philippians and wanted to discuss how it applies to us today. So many of the Studies books have questions which just require regurgitation of what a Bible verse says. From the sample, it looked like this book had supplemental material and asked thought-provoking questions. It was a disappointment. It had very little additional information, and some of that information was wrong. According to Wright, Philippians was written from Ephesus. All my other source material says Rome. I used about 5 other source materials to find the additional information I was looking for. Phrases that cried out for explanation were ignored.

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This study guide makes little sense if you don't also have N. T. Wright's book, Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. Paired with that book, however, this guide is very helpful for a Bible study leader. I've just finished leading a small group through Philippians, and this study guide saved me quite a bit of preparation time. Our group spend about an hour with each of the eight lessons, and we probably could have talked longer about each one. The questions--and the particular make-up of our group members--made it very easy for me to lead discussions, and I never felt that I had to work hard to make the discussion work. The questions are just right for adults, but would probably have to be modified somewhat for teens.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this Bible study guide because I remembered it fondly from college. Well, college was years ago. Though this study if full of truth, it just feels - well - old. There's a reason it was only available on Kindle, I think.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Informs and adds reflection questions for a very good study experience. I got much deeper into the message of the letter and also its implications for my own life as a Christian in the 21st century. I used it for self study, but I imagine it would be brilliant for group study as well.

[Steve Penner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wright's Bible studies are my favorite. They deal with the text and the context when others look at one of the other. Highly recommended for any small group study.

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another of N.T. Wright's excellent little study guides for small groups, this one helping people get the most out of Philippians.