Andrew: (call children up) Hello everybody!

Does anybody
remember who sent the Philippians a letter? (wait for an answer)
Thats right, it was Paul. Now, last time we looked at that letter,
we saw that he began with thanking God for the Philippians, and
praying for them.
Aaron: well, since we already learned that, what comes next?
Andrew: Why dont you read what comes next and tell us?
Aaron: Oh, fine but its easier when you explain it for us.. (clear
throat)
For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all,
because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment
and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are
partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for
you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your
love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all
discernment, so that you may approve the things that are
excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of
Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which
comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
So, it sounds to me, like after he prayed for them, he told them
how they should pray, and why they should pray.
Andrew: Thats it right there. He had a few things he wanted to
make sure they knew though, so Im going to read through a few
parts and then explain them.
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and
more in all knowledge and discernment.
So, here, God wants us to know that He wants us to love one
another in wisdom and discernment.

So that you may be able to discern what is best and may be

pure and blameless until the day of Christ.
This means that God is looking for us to exercise discernment in
Purity and in Conduct.
Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus
Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
This one is pretty simple; it is God telling us to be Fruitful servants
of Him. This will glorify God when we act in righteousness through
Jesus.
Aaron: So, in short, God is looking for us to be able to discern
what is best and pure in our walk with Christ?
Andrew: Yup, and these are also good things to pray for too! So
everybody here should remember a few things about what, and
who, to pray for. Heres a list:
1.

we should pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

2.
we should pray that we live in knowledge and discernment
concerning love.
3.
that we would show discernment in our hearts and our
actions
4.
and, finally, we should pray that we would be fruitful in
righteousness to the Glory of God.
and that is exactly what God wants. ( turn to audience )that is
as far as we will read into this letter to the Philippians today. You
may go back to your seats now if you would like.