Lead Training Program: Walk Through Philippians Part 1

Jul 14, 2024

Lead Training Program: Walk Through Philippians Part 1

Objectives

  • Understand how faith and doubt are opposing forces impacting our spiritual walk.
  • Learn how to apply these concepts in family church settings for personal and communal growth.

Introduction

  • Emphasize importance of taking notes and being prepared through printed materials.
  • Goal: Equip individuals to become better teachers, stewards, and spiritual leaders in their homes.

Lesson Objective

  • Comprehend how faith moves us closer to God and His plans, while doubt distances us.

General Insights

  • Pursuit of knowledge is secondary to personal transformation and preparing for the return of Christ.
  • Scriptural knowledge should lead to character development and spiritual maturity.
  • Focus should be on becoming more like Christ by ironing out character flaws.

Main Scripture: Philippians 1:6

  • Paul and Timothy’s salutation to the church in Philippi.
  • Key verse: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

Key Questions and Insights

  1. What has God begun? A good work in you.
  2. What is He trying to complete? That good work in you.
  3. Most important word in Philippians 1:6? “Will” – God will complete the work.
  4. Opposite of confidence? Doubt.

The Role of Faith and Doubt

  • Faith: Essential for pleasing God; doubt disrupts our spiritual progress.
  • Doubt: Leads to instability and spiritual wavering (James 1:6).
  • Importance of focusing on God even amidst life's storms, akin to Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:25-32).
  • Faith vs. Doubt: Keeping our eyes on Jesus ensures spiritual stability and growth.

Practical Application

  • Marriage and Relationships: Preparation and strategy to handle conflicts can prevent defaults to negative behavior.
  • Teaching Moments: Sharing real-life examples to build faith and trust in God’s plan, even when circumstances are challenging.

Key Scriptures and Lessons

  • Isaiah 41:10: Assurance of God’s presence and strength in times of fear.
  • John 20:27: Importance of believing without seeing, as shown through Thomas’s doubt.
  • Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in God rather than one’s own understanding; He will guide our paths.
  • Jeremiah 29:11: God's plans for a hopeful and prosperous future.

Practical Faith Development

  • Teaching children and adults to have faith and prepare for difficult situations through practical examples and real-life applications.
  • Encouraging others to focus on spiritual growth and the development of their character according to Christ’s image rather than mere scriptural knowledge.

Final Thoughts on Faith and Spiritual Growth

  • Be Still and Trust: (Psalm 46:10) Importance of patience and confidence in God during challenging times.
  • Walking by Faith: (2 Corinthians 5:7) Our spiritual journey is one of faith, not of physical sight or understanding.
  • Lessons from Mark 11:23-24: Faith can move mountains in a metaphorical sense; it is powerful and essential for accessing God's promises and blessings.

Takeaways

  • Route Through Mountains: Sometimes the darkest paths are the quickest routes to spiritual growth.
  • Not Your Problem: In insurmountable situations, remember it's God’s problem to solve, not yours.
  • Documenting Faith: Maintain a record of God’s work in your life to build faith during challenging times.
  • Faith as Reality: Faith brings God's reality into our worldly experiences.

Conclusion

  • Emphasize the importance of faith in pleasing God and in every aspect of life. Trust that God is doing a good work in and through every situation.
  • Encourage others to prepare and be proactive in their spiritual journey.
  • Practice patience, focus on character development, and maintain hope and trust in God.

Action Item

  • Send feedback on the Lead Program experience to help tailor it better for user needs: info@passionfortruth.com.

Prayer

  • Conclude with a prayer to strengthen faith, patience, and trust in God’s good work in our lives.