Bible Study June 6, 2025
“What Does It Take to Thrive As a Christian?
Philippians 1:1-6 (English Standard Version)
“Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Researchers at Thriving Cities asked three simple questions:
1. What does it mean to thrive?
2. What does it take to survive?
3. Who gets to thrive?
What they hoped to find was a human, and cultural, understanding of what it means to thrive in the 21st century. The ultimate vision :To see a world where all individuals and institutions work together to create a common good.” They listed six “endowments” to achieve this goal. They are: The True, The Good, The Beautiful, The Prosperous, The Well Ordered and Just, and The Sustainable.
I have no idea what it cost for this study but they could have went to the scriptures and found the answers.
What is True? Scripture encourages believers to walk in truth, to love in truth, and to be honest in their actions and speech. This is simply establishing our life with God’s will and character.
What it the Good? Scripture teaches us what is considered encouraging and to assist us as we walk through this life facing what we do.
What is The Beautiful? “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16.
What is the Prosperous? Being prosperous is not all about what we have in a material world. Prosperity should be found in following God’s will, trusting His provision for our life, and seeking spiritual growth on a daily basis.
What is The Well Ordered and Just? Our lives should have order. As an example following our conversion we should seek baptism. An ordered life says we are living a life that is disciplined, and aligned with God’s wisdom and commandments. To do so we must become more disciplined to following God’s Word. Living a just life involves fulfilling legal and moral obligations towards God and people, living in mercy allowing God to judge.
What is the Sustainable? God is our ultimate sustainer in life and the future. A sustainable life found in scripture is fully dependent on God’s grace, realizing He is One who gives life.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 