Philippians and Colossians
Finding Strength in Jesus Christ
What problems or challenges do you and those around you face? What makes these challenges difficult? Do you ever wonder if you can receive the help you need to overcome your challenges? Paul faced many difficult challenges in his life, including years of being under house arrest in Rome. While in these circumstances he wrote epistles to the Saints in Philippi and Colossae and taught them to turn to Jesus Christ for strength. This lesson can help you recognize that through Jesus Christ you can find strength to face your challenges.
Helping students teach. Providing opportunities for students to teach one another can help them better understand and apply the truths they learn.
Student preparation: Invite students to memorize Philippians 4:13 .
Possible Learning Activities
Challenges and problems facing youth
Consider having students write on the board their answers to the first question below for reference throughout the lesson.
-
What are some of the common problems or challenges youth in your area face?
-
Which of these problems or challenges do you think youth could not overcome on their own? Why?
In your study journal, identify your own challenges and problems and explain why they are hard for you. Include thoughts on why you need help overcoming them.
In this lesson you will have an opportunity to prepare and teach a brief lesson using Paul’s epistles to the Philippians and Colossians. As you study these epistles, look for how Paul’s words could help you and others rely on Jesus Christ during times of challenge.
Consider inviting a student to read aloud or summarize the following paragraph to help the class understand the context of Philippians and Colossians.
The Apostle Paul faced many problems and challenges. “Philippians and Colossians were probably both written while Paul was under arrest in Rome, but remarkably it was during this difficult time that Paul wrote of ‘the peace of God, which passeth all understanding’ (Philippians 4:7). These two epistles are consistently positive and optimistic, and they contain some of Paul’s clearest and most earnest teachings about Jesus Christ. Paul taught that if we live in faith and gratitude, the Lord can further the gospel cause through us—no matter what circumstances we might be in—and that by building upon the foundation of Jesus Christ we can avoid being led astray by worldly philosophies and traditions” (New Testament Student Manual [2014], 433; see also Bible Dictionary, “Pauline Epistles” and Guide to the Scriptures, “Philippians, Epistle to” and “Colossians, Epistle to,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
If students were invited to memorize Philippians 4:13 as preparation for this lesson, invite one or more students to recite the verse now.
Read Philippians 4:13, looking for what Paul shared about the importance of Jesus Christ in his life.
-
Why do you think this is an important teaching to know?
Watch the video “I Can Do All Things” (1:17) to see examples of what the Savior can help you with. This video can be found at ComeUntoChrist.org.
Jesus Christ can help us with challenges
Think about the problems and challenges youth in your area face, as well as your own challenges. Use steps A, B, and C below to prepare a five-minute lesson. Focus on what you could teach about Jesus Christ that can help you and others overcome challenges.
Display the following lesson outline and instructions to help students prepare their lessons. As students work, move around the room and help them as needed. Give them sufficient time to prepare their lessons.
Students could prepare lessons on their own or work in pairs to complete the activity. Each student in a pair could study half the passages on their own, then discuss their passages with their partner. Then the pair could prepare and teach the lesson together.
-
Study the following passages, looking for truths you feel would be helpful to you and others:
-
Select a verse or group of verses and identify a truth you can teach about the Savior’s gospel. For example, one truth found in Colossians 1:12–14 is that Heavenly Father sent His Son so we can be delivered from darkness and forgiven of sin.
-
Include one or more of the following elements in your lesson:
-
Share an experience that you have had or that someone else has had that illustrates the truth. Invite those you teach to share experiences as well. You could also share examples or experiences from the scriptures or general conference addresses. For example, experiences that relate to the bolded truth above could focus on the Savior forgiving someone or delivering them from darkness.
-
Find helpful cross-references. For example, for the bolded truth above, you could share Mosiah 16:9 or 2 Peter 2:9 . Invite those you teach to search for additional cross-references using resources such as the Guide to the Scriptures or the Topical Guide.
-
Find a helpful statement by a Church leader. For instance, the bolded truth is illustrated by the following statement by Sister Reyna I. Aburto of the Relief Society General Presidency:
If you are constantly surrounded by a “mist of darkness” [1 Nephi 8:23], turn to Heavenly Father. Nothing that you have experienced can change the eternal truth that you are His child and that He loves you. Remember that Christ is your Savior and Redeemer, and God is your Father. They understand. Picture Them close by you, listening and offering support. “[They] will console you in your afflictions” [Jacob 3:1]. Do all you can, and trust in the Lord’s atoning grace.
(Reyna I. Aburto, “Thru Cloud and Sunshine, Lord, Abide with Me!” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 58–59)
-
Invite willing students to teach the class. Alternatively, invite small groups of students to teach each other their lessons.
Encourage students to be genuine and to put forth their best efforts as they teach and are taught. Invite them to seek help with their own challenges as they listen carefully to their classmates’ lessons.
As we teach and learn by the Spirit we are strengthened (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:22–23). In your study journal, write down what you learned and felt that can help you receive strength from Jesus Christ while facing your challenges. Seek Heavenly Father’s help through the Holy Ghost to determine what He would have you do to receive the Savior’s strength. Follow through on promptings you receive.
Encourage students to teach their lessons to their families at home. It may be helpful to send a message to parents to make them aware of this lesson so that they can encourage students to teach their lessons at home.
Commentary and Background Information
Philippians 2:12–13. Did Paul teach that we must earn our own salvation?
Although actions that demonstrate faith in Jesus Christ are essential, it is important to recognize that it is not possible for us to “earn” salvation (see 2 Nephi 2:8; Mosiah 2:24; Alma 22:14). Philippians 2:13 explains that God works in us to help us do things that we cannot do ourselves (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Grace,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org; Bible Dictionary, “Grace”). This help and strength is often called the Savior’s grace and is the power whereby He saves us (see Ephesians 2:8).
Watch Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve in the video “Abound with Blessings” from time code 0:00 to 5:39 or President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency in the video “What Think Ye of Christ?” from time code 8:58 to 12:50 to learn more about this topic.
Philippians 4:13. What does it mean that “I can do all things through Christ”?
Sister Michelle D. Craig of the Young Women General Presidency explained:
Of course, all of us will fall short of our divine potential, and there is some truth in the realization that alone we are not enough. But the good news of the gospel is that with the grace of God, we are enough. With Christ’s help, we can do all things [Philippians 4:13]. The scriptures promise that we will “find grace to help in time of need” [Hebrews 4:16].
(Michelle D. Craig, “Divine Discontent,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 54)
President Dallin H. Oaks taught:
Speaking of some of his own mortal challenges, the Apostle Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).
And so we see that because of His Atonement, the Savior has the power to succor—to help—every mortal pain and affliction. Sometimes His power heals an infirmity, but the scriptures and our experiences teach that sometimes He succors or helps by giving us the strength or patience to endure our infirmities.
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 62)
Supplemental Learning Activities
Philippians 2:12–13. Works, grace, and salvation
Philippians 2:12–13 can be a challenging passage. Invite students to study it carefully and identify what Paul teaches. Consider inviting them to study information in the “Commentary and Background Information” section on Philippians 2:12–13 and the entry for this passage in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023. Ask them to explain what they found that helped them better understand the important doctrine of works, grace, and salvation. Invite them to share how this knowledge strengthens their faith in and love for Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:9–18. Roles of Jesus Christ
Invite students to search these verses for names, titles, and roles of Jesus Christ. Students could be invited to share examples from the scriptures, their own lives, or the lives of those they know in which the Savior exemplified these names, roles, or titles. Invite students to share a role that is most meaningful to them and how it influences their feelings toward Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:6. Walking in Christ
Invite students to share what they think it means to “walk … in [Christ]” (Colossians 2:6). Invite them to study the following passages, looking for what it means to walk in Christ: Colossians 1:9–18; Colossians 2:6; Colossians 3:1–11. They could also study this statement by President Henry B. Eyring:
And what does it mean to walk with the Lord? It means to do what He does, to serve the way He serves. He sacrificed His own comforts to bless those in need, so that’s what we try to do. He seemed to take particular notice of people who were overlooked and even shunned by society, so we should try to do that too. He testified boldly yet lovingly of the true doctrine He received from His Father, even if it was unpopular, and so must we. He said to all, “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28), and we say to all, “Come unto Him.”
(Henry B. Eyring, “Walk With Me,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 84)
Invite students to share their findings and to seek Heavenly Father’s help to make a plan for how they can more fully walk in Christ.