Obedience

Philippians 2:12-16 (New International Version)
Shining as Stars
 12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out[a] the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Luke 14:16-24 (New International Version)
 16Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'
 18"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'
 19"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'
 20"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'
 21"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'
 22" 'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'
 23"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.' "

Questions:
Philippians 2:12-16
1. What does Paul mean when he writes to the Philippians that they have to work out their salvation in fear & trembling? (Why work out their salvation, why in fear & trembling?)
2. Paul sad they should do everything without complaining or arguing. Can you think of something that you easily argue about when you have to do it? Why is that such a issue that makes you angry?
3. Are there things you feel you rather not do, if God asks that of you, what are they?
4. Do you think our generation is more crooked than the one Paul describes? Why or why not? What in our generation really makes you sad?
5. What do you think Paul means with the word of life? Was the Bible already written when paul wrote this?
6. How would you share the word of life, or how would you hold it out?

Luke 14:16-24
1. Why did you servants have to go out quickly?
2. Is there something in your life that hinders you from being a child of God or experiencing intimacy with God?
3. Is getting married a good enough excuse not to join the banquet? Why or why not?
4. Have you obeyed God in bringing some one to His feast?
5. Is there some one or some group that your home group can invite to join you or that you can bring to the feast of God?

God bless
Willem