Read Philippians 1:28 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Discover
If anyone had the clout to speak about bravery, it was Paul. Throughout his life, he faced trial after trial, being thrown in prison, beaten, and ordered to not speak the name of Jesus. Yet in the midst of threats, he boldly said, “I can’t stop speaking the name of Jesus.” Along with his fellow believers in the early church, Paul displayed one act of bravery after another. When he wrote the words in today’s verse, he had a clear understanding of what bravery meant.
The threats we face today may be different than what Paul faced, but there are plenty of ways we can be intimidated. We may be mocked, ridiculed, or lose things or people that are valuable to us because of our faith. Instead of praying for threats to be removed, what if we followed Paul’s example and prayed for bravery to speak the name of Jesus, even if it costs us?
• Pray for bravery. Think about situations where your faith is threatened or where you’re intimidated to speak the name of Jesus. As you move into a time of response, reflect and pray about those specific scenarios where you struggle most to be brave.
Respond
Use your Philippians Guidebook to reflect and respond. For a digital copy of the guidebook, visit tpcc.org/rebels-guide.
Want to go deeper? Look up the following verses to see how two other early church leaders prayed for boldness in the face of threats. Note what you observe and then continue with your time of response.
• Acts 4:23-31