Sermon Outline:
- Love that grieves and rejoices with the Bride of Christ
- Mutual Love for the work of the Gospel
- Love that longs to be proven
Family Discussion Questions:
Younger and Older:
How would Paul’s own joy get bigger by sending Timothy to the Philippian church?
How would the Philippian church’s joy increase if Timothy came?
Why does the Gospel change our hearts to have a special love for the church?
Does loving the church give you forgiveness for your sin?
Deeper Discussion:
How did Paul’s terrifying experience on the road to Damascus teach him about the connection between loving Christ and loving the Church?
Timothy proved his love, he proved that he had been saved by the Gospel. How?
What would you say to someone who claims to have been a Christian for 10 years but over the course of those 10 years has shown no desire for the church and it’s good?
Why would it be dangerous for us to use this passage as an invitation to force people to prove their love for us?
Why does a love for the church need to be mingled with a love for the Gospel in order to be evidence of salvation?