Paul penned this amazing three verse prayer to a people who had loved him well. Steve and Collin spoke into verse 9 and 10 last week, but both of these verses are listed below for us to see the context of this beautiful prayer. Paul asked that the Philippian’s love would abound. This boundless love overflows and pours out knowledge and insight. This “asked for” love radically changes the stream of our thoughts, desires, and then actions. This change-agent—being love—purifies! In verse 11, we see the power and purpose behind this pure, action-packed love. It is important to reread verses 9 and 10 again to refresh and bring power to verse 11.

Philippians 1.11

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What is the subject that will be “filled with the fruit of righteousness?”

+ Picture a brimming box or mounded pail of ripe, beautiful, fragrant, fruit. Picture each one of those pieces of fruit being eaten by you and a friend, juicy, delicious, nutritious, powering the body.

+ Now picture the fruits of righteousness (or the fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:23) love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control being ingested and digested in the hearts and minds of believers. How might that picture be one that brings glory and praise? How is this “fruit” within each believer’s reach. How do we know we can’t produce fruit on our own?

+ How do you see all parts of the Trinity working in this one tiny-power-packed verse?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Why might you or I feel “fruitless?” What steps might we take to put ourselves into the path of Jesus’s power and love?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who in your life needs you to pray Paul’s prayer over them? What is preventing you from praying it?