When Life Throws You A Curve

The Journey: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life!

                 “When Life Throws You A Curve”

                       Philippians 1:1–11

Big Idea: Developing a proper perspective on adversity.

Life Interrupted (vs. 12–20)

• Imprisonment (vs. 12–14)

  • The outcome:

    • The Gospel advanced.
    • The courage of others is increased.

• Harassment (vs. 15–20)

  • The outcome:

    • Christ is proclaimed.
    • Hope is explained.

Life Interpreted (vs. 21–25)

• His Choice

  • Personal - “for to me”
  • Purposeful - “is”
  • Providential - “to die is gain”

• His conflict (vs. 22-26)

• His conclusion (vs. 27–30)

Application:

1. What was a time in your life or the life of someone close to you
   when good came from adversity?

2. When people are in a life and death crisis like Paul, they are
   sometimes better able to focus on what is really important.
   What was Paul's focus? With all of life's demands, how do you
   sort out what is really important?

3. What did Paul mean by “for to me, to live is Christ, and to die
   is gain”?

4. Pray for others and yourself in the struggles you are currently
   facing. Pray that God will help you to keep a clear conscience,
   a courageous testimony and a Christ-centered focus.