Sample Teaching Outline

New Testament Exegesis: Philippians (BI 257)
Sample Teaching Outline

Focus - These teaching outlines are designed for a local church’s leadership retreat.
Theme - Committed to the Church

Session 1 – Praying for the Church (Philippians 1:3-11)

Big Idea: Church leaders are to pray for their flock to abound in Christ’s love.

Introduction: Everyone knows that Christian leaders should be committed to prayer. But what should Christian leaders pray for as it relates to the flock they are shepherding?

I. Church leaders pray frequently and fervently for their flock (3-4).

Illustration: In the times of the great revival, a friend of Moody’s prayed all Saturday night and all through Sunday morning until the end of Moody’s message for God’s work through him.
(See Jim Cymbala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire).

Applications:
1. Use our church directory to pray through our church, making sure you pray for each family once a month.
2. Often times as leaders, we end up dealing with issues/concerns and pray mainly for God’s work in problems in our church. Don’t forget to praise God with joy for the good things He is doing in our midst.

II. Church leaders pray with heartfelt gratefulness for their flock (5-8).

Illustration: As a church leader, one possible way to measure success is by the amount of giving that takes place in your church. If people are being met by God, they will respond in many ways, one of which is often by giving. Novelist John Grisham says, “[My wife and I] measure the success of the year on how much we give away. The bulk of it goes to church and related activities.” (from USA Today - 2/11/99)

Applications:
1. When was the last time you thanked God for your congregation? Thank God every day for the people you have the privilege of leading.
2. One way that I have found useful and (unfortunately) surprisingly well appreciated is a simple Thank You note from the Board of Elders for anyone is who giving of their time, energy, to serve in the church in some way (SS teacher, special music, worship team, etc). We need to let our people know how much we care. (“They don’t care how much you know til they know how much you care.”)

III. Church leaders pray for continued abounding in love so that Christ will be glorified (9-11).

Illustration: The picture here is of an overflowing love that spills out from Christians so that others are attracted to Christ. Think of a bathtub with a little too much bubble-bath. The more water you add, the more the bubbles keep growing and growing. And eventually, both the water and the bubbles fill the tub and may even overflow outside the tub. That’s the kind of love church leaders are to pray for in their people. By adding the teaching of God’s Word and the fellowship of other Christians to their Christian faith, they will overflow with bubbles everywhere.

Applications
1. When was the last time you prayed that God would overflow you with His love? Or are you scared of being labeled “fanatical” or “over-emotional”? Do you express a good mix of joy & judgment? Of devotion & discernment?
2. As church leaders we need to ask God for real growth in our church – not just quantity, but quality spiritual growth in the lives of God’s people as they overflow with Christ’s love.

Conclusion:
God requires that church leaders be committed and faithful in praying for their flock. Based on the deep affection they have for the people God has given them to shepherd, they pray for Christ’s love to overflow from the lives of God’s people as they grow in their faith.

Word Study: “participation” (v. 5)

Session 2 – The Church in Tough Times (Philippians 1:12-14)

Big Idea: Church leaders model how tough times can be used to further the Gospel.

Introduction: What do you think the main task of the Church is? Further the Gospel. But what about doctrinal purity? What about...? What about? No, the first priority of the Church and its leaders must be committed to the proclamation of the Gospel, especially in tough times.

I. The Gospel is proclaimed to unbelievers as they see believers enduring suffering (12-13)

Illustration: No professional football team that plays its home games in a domed stadium with artificial turf has ever won the Super Bowl. While a climate-controlled stadium protects players (and fans) from the misery of sleet, snow, mud, heat, and wind, players who brave the elements on a regular basis are disciplined to handle hardship wherever it's found. The Green Bay Packers were the 1996 Super Bowl champions, in part, because of the discipline gained from regularly playing in some of the worst weather in the country.
--Greg Asimakoupoulos (from Leadership Summer 1997)

Applications:
1. Whatever difficulty you are facing today - lost your job, child not following Christ, a death in the family, - God wants you to use this trial to bring honour & glory to His name among unbelievers. Ask Him today to show you how to take that trial you are facing and glorify His name.
2. Do you use your conflicts, trials, and difficult circumstances as a means to share the difference Jesus Christ makes in your life with unsaved people you know?

II. Believers are encouraged and motivated to proclaim the Gospel as they see others endure suffering (14).

Illustration: Todd Beamer, a Christian who attended Wheaton College was on Flight 93 on September 11, 2001 that crashed into a field 80 miles outside of Pittsburgh. He was willing to risk his life and give it up so that the hijackers would not take out the Pentagon…

Applications:
1. Maybe you don’t think you are the “testimony sharing” type. But every believer needs to share their story of how God got them through a difficult time with other believers so that other believers can be encouraged and strengthened in their faith. As church leaders, you need to openly share with others how Jesus Christ in your life has made a difference in going through a difficult experience.
2. For those of you who are older, more mature Christians, perhaps you should decide today to find a young person that you can meet with once a month. By sharing the wisdom you have gained from life experience, you can encourage a young man/woman in their faith.

Conclusion: In the midst of tough times, God is still working. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Do you believe that today?

Word Study: “praetorian guard” (v. 13)

Session #3 – The Church in Confusing Times (Philippians 1:15-18a)

Big Idea: The primary concern of the Church in the midst of confusing times is the proclamation of the Gospel, not the methodology by which it is proclaimed.

I. Some preach Christ out of envy, strife, and selfish ambition.

Illustration: In Preaching Max Lucado writes:

It's bad to lose, it's worse still to help your opponent win!

My most blatant experience of aiding the opposition occurred in a sixth grade basketball tournament. I can't remember the exact score when I finally got to play, but I know it was close. I recall a loose ball, a scramble to grab it, and complete surprise when my teammate on the bottom of the pile threw it to me.

When I saw that no one was between me and the basket, I took off. With the style of an MVP-to-be, I made a lay-up worthy of air-time on ESPN. My surprise at the ease of the basket was surpassed only by my surprise at the silence of the crowd.

No one applauded! Rather than pat me on the back, my team buried their faces in their hands. That's when I realized what I'd done. I'd made a basket on the wrong end of the court--I'd aided the enemy! I'd helped the wrong team. No wonder no one tried to stop me, I was helping their side.

Can you imagine how silly I felt? If you can, then you can imagine how silly Satan must feel. Such is the pattern of the devil's day. Every time he sets out to score one for evil, he ends up scoring a point for good. When he schemes to thwart the kingdom he always advances it....

Over and over the Bible makes it clear who really runs the earth. Satan may strut and prance, but it's God who calls the shots.

Applications
1. Think of one person who’s approach/methods you just do not understand; perhaps you even think they are wrong. If there is evidence that God is using their ministry, you need to recognize the possibility that God is using them to proclaim the Gospel which is the most important fact.
2. When someone attacks your methods, how do you react? It has been said that “if you are facing no opposition in your ministry, perhaps its because there’s nothing worth opposing.” God doesn’t only work in spite of opposition, He works through opposition. Just because you may be facing opposition in your ministry does not mean that God is necessarily not using it!

III. Some preach Christ out of good will and love.

Illustration:

Applications:
1. When you examine your own heart, why are you doing the things you are doing in the church? Is it for personal pleasure? Is it for personal accolades from others? Or is it so that the Gospel will be proclaimed?
2. We should be supporting those who are preaching the Gospel from pure motives, from sincere love for Christ. As church leaders, we need to publicly express appreciation for those who we know are serving Christ with pure motives.

Conclusion: Church leaders are to be committed to the furtherance of the Gospel – whether in good times or difficult circumstances; whether by methods we like or methods we don’t understand. The important thing is that Christ is proclaimed.

Word Study: “envy” or “strife” (v. 15)