Philippians: Shine Like Stars – DAY 3
Family Discussions for a New School Year
*This is DAY 3. To read DAY 1: Paul & Timothy & Their Letter, click here. DAY 2: Servants of Christ, here.
DAY 3/THURSDAY
Philippians 1:1-2
All God’s Holy People
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus,
To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:1-2 (NIV)
What does “all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus” mean?
God’s holy people, also known as saints, are set apart from everyone else because of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior & Lord.
They “dress” differently.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)
God’s holy people “wear”:
- compassion
- kindness
- humility
- gentleness
- patience
- forgiveness
- & a “coat” of love
They are qualified for kingdom inheritance.
“…giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.”
Colossians 1:12 (NIV)
All God’s holy people will share in an inheritance in His kingdom of light. An inheritance is usually “money, property, or position that is or may be inherited legally” (kids.wordsmyth.net). God is giving all His holy people an inheritance far better than money, property, or position — we get to inherit eternal life!
“…all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.”
Hebrews 9:15 (NLT)
They have the power to know Christ’s love & be filled!
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:17,18-19 (NIV)
What’s better? Filled or emptied? I’m going to go with filled in this case! All the Lord’s holy people can be filled up with all God’s fullness! Thinking on that blows my mind.
Thanksgiving is proper for God’s holy people. Other things are improper…
!!! NOTE TO PARENTS: I have included two different versions of these verses, one for older kids, one for littles, because the topic of sexual immorality is brought up. Use your discretion! I will be discussing sexual immorality as age appropriate with my children, ages 9 & up.
For Older Children & Teens
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” Ephesians 5:3-4 (NIV) |
These are some things which are improper (& out of place) for God’s holy people: coarse joking foolish talk obscenity greed impurity sexual immorality Instead of participating in these sinful activities, God’s holy people are to give thanks in all things. |
For Younger Children
“Don’t do anything impure. And do not always want more and more. These are not the things God’s holy people should do. 4There must not be any bad language or foolish talk or dirty jokes. They are out of place. Instead, you should give thanks.” Ephesians 5:3,4 (NIrV) |
Things God’s people should not do: Anything impure Always wanting more & more Using bad language Foolish talk Telling dirty jokes |
Bottom line: Giving thanks is what God’s holy people should be all about!
“Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18Give thanks no matter what happens. God wants you to thank Him because you believe in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIrV)
God’s holy people are His special possession.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”
I Peter 2:9-10 (NIV)
We belong to Him! We are God’s people: chosen, royal, holy, special, all because we have received His mercy (not getting the wrath & punishment we deserve) through Christ.
The second part of I Peter 2:9, “That you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light,” makes me think of a song we sing at church which would be a fitting close for our discussion today. Below is a link to the music & lyrics video for “How Great Is Your Love” by Passion. Listen or sing together in thanks & praise to God, for you are His holy people!
DAY 3: God's holy people, also known as saints, are set apart from everyone else because of their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior & Lord. They are to look different to others because they act differently from others. God's holy people give thanks to God!