Frappé with Philippians takes readers on a journey back to first-century Philippi, bringing them face-to-face with the Son of God who “emptied Himself” and unites them as a community.
In this five-week study, present-day believers get a glimpse of the joy they can experience when the church is united with one focus: seeing humanity’s need and making known God’s solution in the person of Jesus Christ.
It all started with a women’s prayer group whose members couldn’t have imagined the legacy they would leave. The church in Philippi, founded on their prayers, supported the apostle to the Gentiles throughout his ministry and is the recipient of his warmest letter.
In Paul’s epistle to his beloved spiritual family at Philippi—written with joy even as he sat imprisoned, abandoned, and facing possible execution—we see his desire to know Christ and make him known. And he longs for his friends to share that vision.
Frappé with Philippians is a five-week study designed for individual or group use that includes guided Bible study on weekdays and applicational devotionals on the weekends. Written for people on the go, the book focuses on the theme of Philippians: oneness of mind for the furtherance of the gospel.
“Sandra Glahn's remarkable Coffee Cup Series! Glahn sets theological content into a conversational style for any reader to enjoy. Prepare yourself to be delighted yet challenged as you imbibe the truths of the scriptures addressed in this series.”
Comment from a Reader
Meet the Author
Dr. Sandra Glahn
Sandra L. Glahn (PhD, University of Texas at Dallas) is Professor of Media Arts and Worship at Dallas Theological Seminary, where her emphases are first-century backgrounds related to women, culture, gender, and the arts. She has authored or edited more than twenty books, including Vindicating the Vixens, Earl Grey with Ephesians, Sanctified Sexuality (coeditor), and Sexual Intimacy in Marriage (coauthor).
Resources for Frappé with Philippians
Commentaries
Dr. Lynn Cohick’s The Story of God Bible Commentary: Philippians is a great resource. Edited by Tremper Longman and Scot McKnight
Bible.org has wonderful audio messages, articles, and textual notes on Philippians.
Dr. Tom Constable, a seminary professor emeritus, has compiled extensive notes on the Book of Philippians. He makes them available online for free. You can access the .pdf file by following this link: Constable notes
And of course, a classic standard is Matthew Henry’s complete commentary on Philippians.
Recommendation: A good technical commentary is Peter T. O’Brien’s Commentary on Philippians.
Books
For a gorgeous combination of image and word for the book of Philippians, check out Dwelling with Philippians edited by Elizabeth Steele Halstead et al
You can read Polycarp’s second-century letter to the Philippians here: Polycarp to the Philippians
Visual Art
Link to Rembrandt’s “St. Paul in Prison”
Join people from all over who are studying the Bible and creating simple works of creativity the size of playing cards as part of their contemplations.
For online searches of biblical art relating to Philippians, follow this link to biblical art.
For an interesting historical look at life in the Roman Empire during the years when the New Testament was written, check out the thirteen-part BBC mini-series, “I Claudius,” starring Derek Jacobi. If your local library does not have it, ask for it through interlibrary loan. The book I, Claudius (as well as the sequel, Claudius, the God) by Robert Graves is outstanding, too.
Movies on the life of Paul (Can be rented or downloaded)
Apostle Paul and the Earliest Churches (2004) Explore the places traveled by the apostle Paul and learn of his missionary journeys across the Anatolian region (told through reenactments).
Paul the Apostle (2000) Director Roger Young presents a dramatic television miniseries that recounts the life of Paul (Johannes Brandrup).
Great People of the Bible: The Apostle Paul (2003) This is the story of how the tenacious indefatigable Paul preached the word of Christ throughout the Roman world.
Paul: Apostle of Grace (1997) Pastor and educator Ron Kelly leads viewers on a journey that retraces the footsteps of the apostle Paul.
Time Machine: The Story of Paul the Apostle (2000). Via expert analysis, archival footage and a scholarly examination of the apostle Paul’s writings, this History Channel documentary (part of the “Time Machine” series) traces the life of the apostle.
Books on the life of Paul
If you love to read historical fiction, check out Walter Wangerin’s Paul: A Novel. It combines what we know about Saul/Paul and reintroduces him through several points of view: Priscilla, who meets him in Corinth; Barnabas, Timothy, and Titus, his companions; James and Peter, the “pillars” of the faith; and Seneca, the Roman writer, statesman, and adviser to Nero.
For a non-fiction biography of Paul, read Dr. Chuck Swindoll’s book, Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit.
Feature
Coffee Cup Bible Series feature in DTS Voice.
Other Books in the Coffee Cup Bible Study Series
