The book of Philippians expresses the apostle Paul’s heartfelt desire for believers to experience the joy only found in following Jesus. In 8 sessions, this chapter-by-chapter Bible study shows students that it is possible to have peace and joy, no matter what they face. If using in a group, personal study is needed between meetings (30-45 minutes per week, including a Scripture memory verse).
This Bible study has many good points such as a focus on the Bible text rather than on the reader. Its reliance on textual and historical context is also a positive point. However, this study is satisfactory only when the leader or reader already has a great amount of knowledge of the Bible. Reason being, it asks some questions that it doesn’t answer. Yet these questions have answers, they’re just not provided by this study. I also didn’t like that it encourages use of “the Message” which is not a Bible translation, but rather an interpretation that takes too much liberty and deviates too far from original manuscripts.