How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the video and read this week's materials
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the weekly sermon and read through the main passage(s)
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
latest sermon
background
If anyone could have relied on his religious credentials, it was Paul. He had done everything necessary to be regarded as an exemplary Jew. But when he truly encountered Christ, he realized that his previous achievements were worthless. Knowing Christ was the only thing that mattered. Christ had given Paul a righteousness that comes solely from God through faith.
We tend to think our standing before God is performance-based. If I do the right things, God will love me. But as Paul’s life demonstrated, this is a hopeless endeavor because our hearts, left unchanged, will always pursue selfish ambitions. Our only hope is to delight in Jesus. When we consider how we are to live, it must be grounded in the understanding that the only way to know true joy is to know Christ.
We tend to think our standing before God is performance-based. If I do the right things, God will love me. But as Paul’s life demonstrated, this is a hopeless endeavor because our hearts, left unchanged, will always pursue selfish ambitions. Our only hope is to delight in Jesus. When we consider how we are to live, it must be grounded in the understanding that the only way to know true joy is to know Christ.
OPEN
1. What accomplishments or “credentials” have you personally benefited from? Has your view of them changed over time? If so, how?
reflect
2. Read Philippians 3:1-6. Who is Paul referring to as “dogs,” “evildoers,” and “those who mutilate the flesh”? Why does Paul use such forceful language to describe them?
3. What does it look like to put your confidence in the flesh? What are some modern-day equivalents that might mirror Paul’s credentials?
4. Read Philippians 3:7-11. What does it mean to “know Christ”? How does knowing him differ from merely knowing facts about him?
3. What does it look like to put your confidence in the flesh? What are some modern-day equivalents that might mirror Paul’s credentials?
4. Read Philippians 3:7-11. What does it mean to “know Christ”? How does knowing him differ from merely knowing facts about him?
apply
5. What things are most likely to compete with Jesus as your source of security and significance? How does relying on these affect your ability to delight in and pursue Him?
6. Paul links knowing Jesus to sharing in His sufferings. How should this connection shape our view of suffering? What hope do we have that our suffering is not in vain?
7. What steps can we take this week to value Christ more deeply and pursue Him more passionately? How can our Group help each other rejoice in Christ while resisting comparison and pride?
6. Paul links knowing Jesus to sharing in His sufferings. How should this connection shape our view of suffering? What hope do we have that our suffering is not in vain?
7. What steps can we take this week to value Christ more deeply and pursue Him more passionately? How can our Group help each other rejoice in Christ while resisting comparison and pride?
resources
Home Groups will resume August 23. If you are interested in joining a group, fill out the interest form below or contact Doug Barnwell at dbarnwell@fellowshipjackson.com.
We ask every Home Group participant to commit to the Four Essentials of a Healthy Group outlined in our Home Group Commitment. These essentials help ensure that every group stays healthy, welcoming, and spiritually meaningful for everyone involved. You can review those here.