JOYRIDE: "Shine Like Stars"
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13
We don’t work salvation, but we do work salvation.
3 important Bible terms:
JUSTIFICATION = Saved from the
of sin
SANCTIFICATION = Saved from the
of sin
GLORIFICATION = Saved from the
of sin
JUSTIFICATION =
: God saved me.
SANCTIFICATION =
: God is changing me.
GLORIFICATION =
: God will complete me.
The grace of Jesus requires
from me, that’s GOD’S part!
The way of Jesus requires
from me, that’s MY part!
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13
What does our part look like?
1. Check your .
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Philippians 2:14
2. Check your .
Live clean, innocent lives as children of God… Philippians 2:15
Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. Philippians 2:12
3. Check your .
Hold firmly to the word of life; Philippians 2:16
This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Hebrews 6:19
The result: A example!
Then you will shine like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Philippians 2:15
Personal notes:
Life Group questions:
WARM UP
- What’s the most ridiculous one-star review you’ve ever seen? Have you ever left a bad review you later regretted?
- If the people closest to you could give you a rating based on your attitude over the past week, how many stars do you think you’d get? Why?
KNOW IT
- Read Philippians 2:12-16 Paul tells us to “work hard” while reminding us that “God is working in us.” How do these two truths work together?
- In verse 14, Paul tells us to do everything without complaining or arguing. Why do you think Paul focuses on something so ordinary when describing what it looks like to shine in a dark world?
- Read Ephesians 2:8-10. How do these verses reinforce the difference between earning salvation and living out our salvation? What happens when we neglect either one or the other?
- Read Matthew 5:14-16. According to Jesus, what is the ultimate purpose of letting our light shine? How can we make sure our actions point people to Jesus rather than drawing attention to ourselves?
SHARE IT
- Paul challenged us to check three areas of our lives: ATTITUDES, ACTIONS, and ANCHOR. Which of these three area do you feel God is challenging you to grow in?
- Paul says that God gives us both the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. Can you identify an area of your life where God has changed your desires over time? What did that process look like?
- We are constantly being discipled by something. What voices or influences in your life compete with God’s Word for your attention and allegiance? How do you recognize when you’re beginning to drift?
LIVE IT:
- ATTITUDE: For the next seven days, replace complaining with gratitude. When you’re tempted to complain, intentionally thank God for something instead.
- ACTIONS: Identify one area where you already know what God wants you to do, but you’ve been delaying obedience. Take one concrete step this week.
- ANCHOR: Commit to opening your Bible before opening your phone each morning. Start with 10 minutes in the Bible each day. OR… sign up for the daily devotional!