Philippians 1:19-26
“To Live Is Christ”
1. A Life Defined by Christ
📖 Read: Philippians 1:19–21
Paul asks a question every person answers with their life:
“For me to live is ______.”
Whatever you treasure most will define you.
Paul’s answer was simple: “To live is Christ.”
Key Insight:
🎯 What you treasure most shapes your life.
Discussion Questions:
What honestly tends to define your life most during the week?
What competes with Christ for your attention or affection?
What would it look like for “to live is Christ” to become more true of your life?
2. A Life That Sees Death Differently
📖 Read: Philippians 1:21–23
Paul could say “to die is gain” because death meant being with Jesus.
The greatest treasure of heaven is not a place—it’s Christ Himself.
Key Insight:
🌅 If Christ is your greatest treasure in life, He will be your greatest joy in death.
Discussion Questions:
Why are most people afraid of death?
How does knowing Christ change the way we view death?
What does this passage reveal about what Paul valued most?
3. A Life Fully Surrendered to Jesus
📖 Read: Romans 14:8
Jesus is not meant to be part of your life—He is meant to be your life.
Money, success, pleasure, and power all eventually fail. Only Christ satisfies.
Key Insight:
👑 Only Jesus can truly satisfy the soul.
Discussion Questions:
What things do people commonly build their lives around besides Jesus?
Why do those things never fully satisfy?
What area of your life is hardest to surrender to Christ?
4. A Life Lived for Others’ Faith and Joy
📖 Read: Philippians 1:24–26
Paul believed every extra day of life was an opportunity to help others trust and enjoy Jesus more.
“To live is Christ” means living for the spiritual good of others.
Key Insight:
🤝 God uses your life to strengthen others’ faith.
Discussion Questions:
Who has helped strengthen your faith?
Who might God want you to encourage right now?
Are people spiritually better off because you’re in their life?
5. A Life That Makes Much of Jesus
📖 Read: Philippians 1:20, 26
Paul wanted Christ to be honored through everything—his life, suffering, and even death.
His goal was to give others “ample cause” to glorify Jesus.
Key Insight:
🔥 The Christian life is about making Jesus look glorious.
Discussion Questions:
What distracts you from making much of Jesus?
How can you encourage someone spiritually this week?
What would change if your main goal was Christ being honored?
Prayer Prompts
Surrender:
“Jesus, help me live for You above everything else.”
Perspective:
“Father, teach me to treasure Christ more than anything this world offers.”
Purpose:
“Holy Spirit, use my life to strengthen someone else’s faith and joy.”
Boldness:
“Lord, help me make much of Jesus in the way I live and love others.”