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Philippians and Philemon: Prison Epistles, Part 2

  1. Lesson One
    Overview of Philippians (Philippians 1–4)
    22 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  2. Lesson Two
    Philippians: Suffering and Community (Philippians Review)
    22 Activities
  3. Lesson Three
    Overview of Philemon
    22 Activities
  4. Lesson Four
    Paul and Slavery (Philemon, Romans 6 Review)
    17 Activities
    |
    1 Assessment
  5. Lesson Five
    Social Impact
    9 Activities
    |
    4 Assessments
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment

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Grab your Workbook Journal!

[Record your answers in the workbook provided at the beginning of this course.]

When the church was a persecuted minority, personal relationships and reciprocity were especially important for missionaries like Paul. Personal recommendations and extended networks of associates were the social fabric that spread and developed the Church.

Knowing whom you could trust, and whose gospel you could trust, were central concerns for early Christians, much like they are for us today. In Philippians 2, Paul makes a powerful recommendation of Timothy and Epaphroditus, who will arrive ahead of him in Philippi. Paul encourages kind treatment and hospitality for both men, and vouches for them as he anticipates his own arrival in the city.

Read Philippians 2:19-30.

While the churches most of us attend are not persecuted like those in the New Testament, personal relationships and recommendations are still key to Christian faith. 

  1. Who or what have you recommended to fellow Christians to promote the gospel, and why? Your answer can include people you know, books you’ve read, movies you’ve seen, or any other means by which the gospel can be shared.
  1. What about this person or media led you to trust their message with the gospel?
  1. Who in your life has recommended you?