📖 Study Guide: For Me To Live Is Christ
Based on Philippians 1:12–26
📘 Read the Passage
Begin by reading Philippians 1:12–26 aloud.
💡 Key Themes from the Sermon
- God-given dreams often take a different path than we expect.
- Our calling is not primarily to success, but to faithfulness.
- Even in suffering, God’s purposes cannot be thwarted.
- “For me, to live is Christ” — the ultimate declaration of surrendered worship.
“Everything I dreamed of at the start of 2025 has started to come true… it’s just that in my dream I was at the centre of the action.”
“When stuff happens that thwarts God’s will, it doesn’t overcome His sovereign will… which will still be done.”
🧠 Discussion Questions
1. Understanding the Passage
- What are the circumstances Paul finds himself in as he writes this letter?
- How does Paul view his imprisonment? (vv.12–14)
- What does he mean when he says, “to live is Christ, and to die is gain”? (v.21)
- How do Paul’s words challenge your understanding of success and purpose?
2. Exploring the Sermon
- The preacher says: “Every dream seems to take longer, be more difficult and involve more opposition than you ever expected.” — Do you relate to that? Share your experience.
- Why do you think it’s so hard to keep going when the dream doesn’t unfold as expected?
- How does Paul’s attitude model a godly response to disappointment and limitation?
3. Application
- What dream (big or small) has God placed on your heart?
- Where have you encountered delay, opposition, or suffering in pursuing it?
- How might you reframe your circumstances like Paul did — seeing limitations as opportunities for God’s work?
- In what ways can you echo Paul’s declaration: “For me, to live is Christ”?
🙏 Prayer Prompts
Take time to pray individually or together. Here are some prompts:
- Surrender: “Lord, I offer my body as a living sacrifice. Use me as You will.”
- Perspective: “God, help me to see Your purposes even when my plans fail.”
- Courage: “Give me boldness to pursue the dream You’ve placed in my heart, even when it’s hard.”
- Praise: “Thank You that Your will cannot be thwarted, and You redeem all things.”
🛠 Optional Challenge
This week, write down your “God-given dream” — however vague or specific. Reflect on where God might already be at work through your setbacks.
“All that really matters is showing up and worshipping Him with everything I have got.”