Philippians 3: 1-11 (Before I could post this yesterday my wife inadvertantly wiped it)
- Who should Philippians watch for?
- Who does Paul remind the Philippians that they are?
- What does Paul have more than anyone else?
- How does man’s effort compare with a relationship with Christ?
- What evidence is there that nothing compares to Christ in your life?
This passage shows that all the efforts of human beings fall short. No matter how intelligent, how good, or how happy you think you are – the only thing that really matters is that you know Jesus. Allison, in our small group was talking about a conversation she had this last week. She has been busy working in ministry and getting the job done. But someone reminded her how beautiful it is to just talk about Jesus. Do you wish that you just had a simple life where you could tell people about Jesus?
Going Deeper
Observation
- What does Paul remind the Philippians to do, ‘finally’?
- Why does Paul write these things to the Philippians?
- In what do Philippians put no confidence?
- How is Paul’s standing with regard to legalistic righteousness?
- What descriptors does Paul use when considering his own achievements?
Interpretation
- How does continuing to rejoice relate to opposing a group of false teachers?
- Why is it acceptable for Paul to use strong, ‘slogan-style’ rhetoric to talk negatively about the false teachers?
- Are all the things that Paul considers ‘rubbish’ bad things?
- What does it mean to be ‘in Christ’?
- What is ‘righteousness’? Why is it valuable?
Application
- Do you have joy because you avoid false teaching?
- What things do people add to the gospel (like baptism) that are good things which do not save you?
- What are your feelings about being good compared with your feelings about your relationship with Jesus?
- How would you describe the new life that you have in Christ?
- Are your thoughts about faith about the afterlife or the life you have right now, or both?
Plymothian 