Seminaries and Institutes
Philippians 1-4: Finding Strength in Jesus Christ

“Philippians 1-4: Finding Strength in Jesus Christ,” New Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2003)

“Philippians 1-4,” New Testament Student Study Guide

Philippians 1–4

Finding Strength in Jesus Christ

Have you ever faced a challenge that you felt you could not overcome? How did you feel at the time? Where did you turn for help? Paul, as a prisoner in Rome, taught where we should turn: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

Studying the Scriptures

Do activity A and either B or C as you study Philippians 1–4.

  1. Your Thoughts on Your Potential

    “President [Lorenzo] Snow composed the following beautiful poem about ten years before his death. It … is the result of a life-long obedience to the teaching revealed to him about fifty-two years before. The poem is addressed to Apostle Paul, and was written in reply to the apostle’s epistle to the Philippians: …

    As Abra’m, Isaac, Jacob, too,

    First babes, then men—to gods they grew.

    As man now is, our God once was;

    As now God is, so man may be,—

    Which doth unfold man’s destiny.

    A son of God, like God to be,

    Would not be robbing Deity;

    And he who has this hope within,

    Will purify himself from sin.

    (LeRoi C. Snow, “Devotion to a Divine Inspiration,” Improvement Era, June 1919, 659–61.)

    Compare this poem with Philippians 2:1–8.

    1. What did you learn about your own potential?

    2. What can you do to fulfill your potential?

  2. Letter to a Nonmember Father

    Read Philippians 3:7–16 and think about what Paul was willing to do for the gospel. Did he consider it a sacrifice? Read the following story and write an ending that represents the truth Paul expressed:

    Susan had never seen her father that angry before. She could still hear him: “How could you be taking lessons from missionaries of another church? Will you turn your back on your family, too?” Susan respected her father and had thought a lot about what he said. She sat down and wrote a letter to him, explaining …

  3. Seek After the Best Things

    In the thirteenth article of faith the Prophet Joseph Smith quoted from Philippians 4:8–9. Read and compare the scripture with the article of faith. Review the following list and write a synonym for each word:

    1. True

    2. Honest

    3. Just

    4. Pure

    5. Lovely

    6. Good report

    7. Virtue

    8. Praiseworthy

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    We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.