Bible Study - Partner Churches

by Marie Birkinshaw, Magazine Development Editor, A Rocha UK

(Originally published in the Spring 2010 A Rocha magazine. Become a friend of A Rocha to receive the magazine)

The city of Philippi was founded by Alexander the Great’s father, around 360BC. In New Testament times, it was a Roman colony and the leading city in Macedonia. When Paul wrote his letter to the Church in Philippi, there was an aggressive religious climate there with a wide diversity of beliefs held. It was also a time of fear and confusion, with a longing for solid truth in a changing and unsure world. The Church in Philippi was born into ‘a crooked and depraved generation’ (Phil 2:15). Paul’s letter is a plea to his ‘Partner Church’ to remain united and joyful in the face of opposition and threats of various kinds. When thinking about how we can be Partner Churches with A Rocha, it is helpful to look back at aspects of First Century Partner Churches, such as the Church in Philippi, to see what we can learn from them. Paul describes this Church as being in ‘partnership in the gospel’. The word used is ‘Koinonia’ which denotes being in ‘fellowship’ or ‘participating in something with someone else’. As well as sharing in Paul’s apostolic ministry of sharing the Good News, we can also see this partnership at work in various ways that we too can enter into.

• Partners in prayer (vv4–11) – our prayers can echo Paul’s words that ‘love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight’. In what ways can Partner Churches help A Rocha and others who work for creation care to ‘be able to discern what is best… and be filled with the fruit
  of righteousness’?

• Partners in chains (vv7–14) – whilst there may not be physical chains preventing the organisation’s work for the benefit of creation, there are a number of restraints limiting its activities worldwide. What are some of these ‘chains’ and how can organisations, like A Rocha, speak into these situations ‘more courageously and fearlessly’?

• Partners in action (vv15–25) – Paul particularly commends the gestures and gifts that have had a special significance in promoting his apostolic work. In what ways can A Rocha and its Partner Churches affirm one another in their work?

• Partners in rejoicing (vv 4,18) – this theme comes through the epistle very strongly. In spite of all opposition and trouble, Paul prays in joy for his Partner Church and is very glad that its work continues to go from strength to strength. What gives us reasons for joy as Partner Churches?

• Partners in One Faith and One Spirit (vv27–30) – Paul is confident that this Partner Church will ‘stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.’ The unity of A Rocha Partner Churches is key to their role in assisting God’s suffering creation. How can we maintain good communication and build up our faith together?