JOURNAL
Introduction
HOW TO USE THIS JOURNAL… Each week we will read through the book of Philippians (don’t worry, it’s really short – only 4 chapters!) using a different version, or translation of the Bible. If you use the YouVersion Bible App there are even audio versions of some of the translations, so you can listen instead of read. We will have a verse to memorize each week from the selected scripture, questions for reflection, and some other way to engage with the text. Lastly, we will practice our spiritual habit, the Palms Up, Palms Down Prayer. Although we may not always get to choose what we let go of, we do get to choose how we accept it. Our prayer is that through this series we will learn how to do this well.
WEEK 1: LETTING GO… OF CERTAINTY & FINDING FAITH READ Each week as we read through the book of Philippians we will read a different translation. This week we will be reading the Common English Bible (CEB). You can find different translations through the YouVersion Bible App (www.bible.com). Day 1 - Read Chapter 1 Day 2 - Read Chapter 2 Day 3 - Read Chapter 3 Day 4 - Read Chapter 4 Day 5 - Watch this video from The Bible Project on the book of Philippians: https://bibleproject.com/explore/philippians/ MEMORIZE This week we are memorizing Philippians 3:8b “I count it all rubbish, in order that I might gain Christ.” A helpful way to memorize is to write the words out. Get a journal or notebook, and each day copy the verse down. As you do this, picture the words traveling from the tip of your pen, up through your fingers and arm, right into your brain. Hold them there for a few seconds. Each day try to write more of the verse without looking at it. REFLECT How important is predictability and certainty in your life? Do you hold tight to your routine?
How do you react when something unexpected happens and upsets your routine or plans?
What is it about routines, predictability, certainty that causes you to panic, be fearful, or anxious when it is lost?
In our scripture this week, Paul lists what he considers his “assets” in verses 1-6 (CEB), but then he says that he considers all of that a loss, even as “sewer trash” compared to the value of knowing Jesus as his Lord and being found in him. Instead of holding on tightly to his assets, Paul was willing to let them go in order to grasp something of higher value – Jesus. What is it that you are holding on tightly to today?
Are you willing, like Paul, to consider it as “sewer trash” and let go of it so that you can grasp hold of Jesus?
SPIRITUAL HABIT As you reflect on that last question, prepare to practice our spiritual habit that was introduced in this week’s sermon. Use this video to guide you through the practice this week: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=cbLBUq6VGOI
WEEK 2: LETTING GO… OF SELF & FINDING LIFE
Philippians 3:12-16
READ Each week as we read through the book of Philippians we will read a different translation. This week we will be reading the Common English Bible (CEB). You can find different translations through the YouVersion Bible App (www.bible.com). Day 1 - Read Chapter 1 Day 2 - Read Chapter 2 Day 3 - Read Chapter 3 Day 4 - Read Chapter 4 Day 5 - Listen to this hymn, “Take My Life and Let It Be” (https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=lQ93HVuYd5Y). As you do, think about setting aside your own wants and desires for the wants and desires of God. Take my life and let it be hymn MEMORIZE This week we are memorizing Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Jesus Christ.” As you write the verse in your journal this week consider doing something different with the verse. Maybe insert pictures in place of words sometimes. Don’t worry about what the picture looks like – this is only for you to see. Let your pictures help you recall the verse each day until you have it fixed in your memory. REFLECT As you go about your daily life, do you find that many of your thoughts are focused on yourself, how you will make it through the day or the week?
In your conversations with people do you practice good listening skills, or do you find your thoughts drifting off with concerns about your own life?
It is natural for our human souls to drift to self-preservation and selfconcern. But Jesus asks us to resist this drift. In our scripture reading this week we find Paul telling the Philippians that he has one goal, and that is the prize of the “heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” He tells them that he is forgetting his past and only looking forward, to what lies ahead. In essence, Paul is taking his eyes off himself and only focusing on the call of Jesus, which means being more concerned with the greater good of the community than with himself.
What does this look like for you? How can you, when you are in the midst of difficult days, press on toward the prize that is the call of Jesus? How can you intentionally take your eyes off of yourself and be more concerned with the greater good of the community, the church?
SPIRITUAL HABIT As you reflect on that last question, prepare to practice our spiritual habit that was introduced in this week’s sermon. Use this podcast to guide you through the practice this week: https://imbetween.org/mini4/