Onward, Christian Soldiers | -kjv-bible-studies

Onward Christian Soldiers

A Bible Study for Women using the authorized King James Bible, the only inerrant Word of God

By Patricia Dowers

Introduction

The Bible gives us one of the best examples of a functioning, fruitful New Testament church in the Church at Philippi. In this Bible study, we will take a look at these early Christians as a model for our own lives and our roles within the body of Christ in the local church.

In order to create a picture of this church at Philippi in our minds, let us begin with location. In the back of most Bibles are maps of the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul. You will find the city of Philippi located in the eastern corner of Macedonia, which is now the modern country of Greece.

Paul visited Philippi on his second and third missionary journeys. He wrote this epistle, or letter, to the church at Philippi during one of his Roman imprisonments. We get a real sense of the love and joy that Paul feels for this church in his salutation, which we will examine more closely in this first session.

As participants in our own local assemblies it is critical that we understand the importance of how individuals attain the spiritual maturity needed to grow a New Testament church that honors the Lord’s directive. It is my aim that you will find the grace, peace, comfort and joy that Paul felt as we explore Philippians.

Please note: In this study, as in all others, it is important to read all Scripture references for yourself that you may know what God has to say.

Session 1

We will begin by reading through the first chapter of Philippians aloud with your group. I think you will sense the enthusiasm Paul feels for this church in the beginning verses. It reads almost like a love letter.

Verse 3: I thank my God upon every ___________________of you.

Verse 4: Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with ___________.

Verse 7: …I have you in my _____________.

Verse 8: … how greatly I _________ after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

Verses 9-11 contain Paul’s prayer for the continued growth of the people of this church. They have a solid, steady start. Going forward, Paul desires that their knowledge and judgment be seasoned with increasing ___________ (verse 9). This would close the door to legalism that has been the downfall of so many churches.

Please read I Tim. 1:4-7.

Verse 4: What should we not give heed to?

Verse 5: What is the end of the commandment? ________________ out of a ___________ heart.

Philippians 1: 10,11 demonstrates the rewards of maturity for the individual as well as the church for the present and the future.

That ye may:

1. approve things that are excellent

2. be sincere and without offence

3. [be] filled with the fruits of righteousness

Phil. 1:12-18 is an excellent insight as to how God allows and uses our trials and tribulations for our good and His glory.

We can surely apply these verses to our own lives. We are saved by faith and we live for the glory of God (Eph. 1: 5,6 and 11,12). If we have lived the Christian life for even a short time we know we are not immune to difficulties. Sometimes it even seems that we are targeted. In some ways that is true. The devil is certainly invested in neutralizing or destroying our Christian walk. What a better way to do this than to place obstacles in our way such as deception, misunderstanding or temptation. Personal illness can also be a distraction. Illness or death of a loved one can stop you dead in your tracks.

We are reminded from the Book of Job that God allows us to experience trials while He supervises our progress and provides escape routes. Please read in your Bible II Pet. 2:9 and copy it in the space below.

Paul lists some of the reasons we may experience trials. Please find them in the verses below.

Phil. 1:12 _____________________________________________

Verse 13______________________________________________

Verse 14_______________________________________________

Verse 15______________________________________________

Verse 18______________________________________________

We see in verse 19 that Paul looks forward to prayer and supply from the church at Philippi. This demonstrates the importance of missions in the mature church. The spread of the Gospel and the growth and stability of the church go hand in hand.

Verses 20-26 reveal Paul’s confidence in the perfect will of God, Who is always good and will always keep His promises.

Verses 27-30 instruct these believers to remember their testimony and be ready for the trials that will surely come. The early Christian churches lived in constant danger. Perhaps our experience is more subtle but destructive, nonetheless. We must ever be on guard.

Session 2

Please read Philippians 2 aloud with your group. This chapter begins with a clear set of instructions on how the members of the local church interact to be most effective as a body. Please take note in verse 1 of the term, “fellowship of the Spirit”. Verse 2 instructs us to be “likeminded”. Paul tells us that in every aspect we should be likeminded with the Holy Spirit and each other.

Look again at verse 2 and identify the three ways we are to be likeminded:

1. ________________________

2. ________________________

3. _________________________

Verse 4 is a reminder not to be so self-involved that you are oblivious or ignoring the needs of another. A functioning New Testament church should have thoughtful, organized ways to come alongside a fellow believer who is stumbling, hurting or in emotional or physical distress.

In the space below identify some of the ways your own church fulfills this directive.

Verse 5 reminds us that we are also to be likeminded with Jesus Christ. We need to understand Who Jesus is in order to be “likeminded”. Paul therefore gives a perfect account in verses 6-11. Let us examine these verses to identify some key words and phrases regarding the Person of Jesus Christ.

In verse 6 find two phrases that identify Jesus with God:

In verses 7 and 8 find six phrases that describe His humility:

In verses 9-11 find four phrases that describe how God has honored Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and He is the Head of your local church. The Holy Spirit points us to the Person of Christ through His Word and we are to emulate Him. (Rom. 13:14, II Cor. 6:4-10 and I Pet. 1:15 and 22)

Please read Philippians 2:12-18 aloud in your group. Here Paul reminds us to take care of the tasks of maintaining our local church while having the proper Christ-like attitude.

In verse 12 Paul instructs us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”. Some folks have made this verse a stumbling block to show we must work for our salvation. On the contrary, salvation is by faith, not works.

Please copy Eph. 2:8 and 9 in the space below.

God works in us to help us accomplish His will in the work He expects of us (verse13) There is work for everyone. As individual believers we are bestowed with certain spiritual gifts that may differ from those given to another. The Holy Spirit helps to identify our place according to the gifts and abilities He has bestowed on us. No one gets left out. There is a role and need for everyone in the local church including that of prayer warrior. In my church we treasure ours.

Verse 14 is a short sentence and to the point. This could be a wall plaque in everyone’s home. I know it should be in mine. Discuss in your group how difficult it is to accomplish anything while murmuring and disputing.

How does verse 15 describe our testimony as individuals or as a church to the outside world?

In verses 16-18, how does our godly behavior and obedience affect those who have the oversight of us?

Philippians 2:19-30 speaks of two men essential to Paul’s ministry. Please read those verses aloud in your group. The first is Timothy. He is a young man raised in the faith from childhood. (II Tim. 1:5) A strong New Testament church should seek to have among it’s membership young men brought up in the “nurture and admonition” of the Lord prepared to take on leadership and servants roles. This takes godly parenting, discipling by mature Christian men and a heart for God’s Word. (II Tim. 2:15)

In Philippians 2:19-22 you will find one example in each verse of how Paul depended on Timothy. What are they?

Young women must also be nurtured in the same way to fulfill the important roles the Lord has for them in the local church.

The other young man who served Paul was Epaphroditus. As we read in verses 25-30, Paul depended on him as a messenger and transporter of necessities between the church at Philippi and Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. We see that Paul’s ministry was made difficult not only by his own lengthy imprisonment but by the near-death illness of Epaphroditus. The Lord’s people are not held back from adversity because God uses adversity to strengthen His people and accomplish His ultimate will. (Phil.1: 12)

Session 3

Chapter 3 is the business part of Paul’s epistle to the Philippians. Here he is concerned with warnings, credentials and affirmations. Please read through this chapter with your group.

Paul is concerned that this church, having made steady progress toward mature faith, may yet lose ground due to subtle evil influences.

What is Paul especially concerned about in verse 2?

The word concision refers to those who insisted it was necessary for Christians to become circumcised adhering to Old Testament law and negating the finished work of Christ on the cross. Verse 3 confirms that believers no longer have confidence in the circumcision of the flesh but we have the circumcision of the heart through Jesus Christ. (Col. 2:11)

Next Paul lists some of his own credentials prior to his conversion. You will find them in verses 4-6. Please list them in the space below.

How important are these things to Paul since he found Christ? (Verses 7 and 8)

Where is Paul now placing his faith? (Verse 9)

Please read aloud verses 10-15 again. These are powerful verses that imply serious responsibility on the part of the believer. Once saved, we cannot mature unless we seek to know Him in every way He has revealed Himself to us in His Word. Then the Lord expects us to put aside our former life and take on Christ and His attributes. Please copy Col. 3:10 in the space below.

Paul uses words such as attain, follow, apprehend, reaching forth and press toward in verses 11-14 to inform us that being Christ-like is something we must actively pursue and not expect it will just settle on us over time. If we are serious about knowing Christ then perhaps we should not be so quick to ask that the cup of sorrows pass us by. Walking with the Lord through the storm is more faith building than escaping the storm.

Verse 15 reminds us that we can and should strive toward perfection with God’s help.

Verses 16-19 contain admonition for the individual as well as the Body within the church. Verse 16 instructs us to be likeminded in two areas. What are they?

Verse 17 encourages us to respect and follow those in spiritual authority over us as they have the responsibility of leading the Church toward its true calling. The Book of Titus is a very short book and I strongly recommend that you read and become familiar with Paul’s instruction for the order and roles of the functioning, local New Testament church.

Verses 18 and 19 are the sad results of the ones who fall short of the mark. This almost always happens in subtle ways with roots in vanity, pride and self-glory. Prov. 24:33 and 34 says,“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep.”

Please copy verse 34 in the space below.

Finally, verses 20 and 21 remind us to keep our eyes on the Savior and our minds on the reward because He is able and His promises are true.

Below you will find a beloved hymn by Sabine Baring-Gould. Please read the words aloud in your group and note in particular the strength of like-minded trust in God’s Word in each stanza.

Onward Christian Soldiers

A 19th-century English hymn written by Sabine Baring-Gould in 1865, and the music was composed by Arthur Sullivan in 1871.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Refrain

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

Session 4

Chapter 4 is brimming with love, encouragement and assurance. How the church at Philippi must have loved receiving this letter! Please read chapter 4 aloud with your group.

How many terms of endearment can you find in the first short verse? Copy them below.

Apparently, there were two people, Euodias and Syntyche, who had some spiritual conflict between them. Notice in verse 2, that Paul uses the term “beseech them” to be of the same mind. This is not a heavy-handed term but one of urging and pleading, motivated by love and an important reminder of how the Lord expects us to treat each other.

Verses 3-7 contain reminders of how to live a fulfilled life on a daily basis and how to support each other as “true yokefellows” (verse 3). We do this for example, by helping women in the church who have labored to help others. These may include elderly, widowed, or single women who have faithfully given of themselves and now need assistance.

We are also instructed to “rejoice alway “ (verse 4) and Paul repeats the word, rejoice for emphasis. I believe this is because rejoicing is the first thing to fall away when we don’t understand a trial or difficulty. We can still rejoice if we continue to trust that the Lord has it covered (verse 6) and is always tuned in to us. Please read I Peter 1: 5-8. This is a powerful reason to “rejoice alway”.

Please copy I Peter 1:8 in the space below as a reminder that faith and trust are essential to rejoicing.

Philippians 4:5 is a very short verse and easily memorized. This verse has to do with our testimony in the world, individually and as a local church. The world cannot see Jesus. It can only see Him in His Church. This is an awesome responsibility.

Verses 6 and 7 give us instruction with a promise, which is the peace of God (verse 7) which ____________________

________________________ shall keep _________________________________________

_____________________________________.

Paul gives to us in Philippians 8 and 9 a beautiful list of praiseworthy thoughts to fill our minds.

Please list as many as you find in the space below.

Verse 9 encourages us to emulate our spiritual elders. Think about the mature Christians in your church or family who have mentored or been an example to you. Please share them with your group. Some may be sitting in the room with you and would love to hear it.

Philippians 4:10-14 gives us a recipe for daily living by being content with what we have while looking to supply the needs of others. Read through these verses aloud with your group.

In verse 10, why was Paul rejoicing?

In verse 11, when was Paul content?

In verse 13, where does Paul find his strength?

Verses 14-19 reminds the Philippians how much Paul appreciated their attention to his needs even though it was sometimes difficult to get supplies to him (verse 10). This passage draws our attention to the supply and support of our own missionaries.

Discuss with your group how your church supports your missionaries besides financially. Is there more you can do? Keep in mind that when away from home for long periods of time, anything that addresses loneliness and isolation is always welcome. Perhaps the women in your church could brainstorm some activities.

What does Paul desire in verse 17? ______________________________________

A vitally important duty of the individual Christian, as well as the local Christian church is to bear fruit for the Lord through the Holy Spirit. What is this fruit?

Gal. 5:22 and 23 gives us a list.

Copy these two verses in the space below.

Paul reminds the Philippians in verse 19 that God is the source of their supply. This is so important to remember when seemingly unmet needs tend to bring on panic.

How does Paul say that God meets all our needs? (verse 19)

If our local church is a true New Testament church (II Cor. 6:1-10), conducting itself in the will of God, preaching Christ as the crucified and resurrected Son of God and dwelling in the Holy Spirit, then we can believe the promise that our needs will be met and our prayers answered. (I John 5:14 and 15)

Paul concludes his epistle to the Philippians with a final benediction that restates the importance of connectedness with believers inside the church, sent out from the church and those of like-faith in other churches (Phil. 4:20-23). Note in verse 22, Paul mentions the saints of Caesar’s household. I’m sure that was not an easy place to be a believer. I suspect they were the recipients of much prayer and encouragement from Philippi.

Conclusion

I hope this Bible study in Philippians has encouraged you, as women, to be mindful of the important roles and responsibilities you fill in your local church and while we look forward to His return, may we keep marching…

Onward, Christian Soldiers.