Lesson 1

Paul founded the church at Philippi on his second missionary journey. It was the first church established in Europe, and its first convert was a woman named Lydia whose heart was open and ready for the gospel message. From this prominent city, the gospel began spreading across the continent that would be the backbone of Christianity in centuries to come. The letter to the Philippians is a thank you note from Paul for the faithful financial and emotional support they had given to him during his missionary journeys. Now while he was imprisoned, they gave sacrificially so that Paul would have the necessities of life. It is arguably the most tender and personal of all Paul’s writings.