Small Group Study May 19

Philippians 3:12-16

Today we will review, study and apply Philippians 3:12-16

Philippians 3:12–16 ESV

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

What did Paul mean by the “upward call of God in Christ”?

What did Paul mean by “Let us hold true to what we have attained”?

How do we “forget what lies behind” and what does Paul mean by this?

What else do we notice in this passage that we should talk about?

Jeremiah 9:23–24 ESV

23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

How is the knowledge of God more important than riches?

How can we move the knowledge of God higher on our list of priorities?

Colossians 1:9–10 ESV

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

What does it look like for us to increase in knowledge of God?

What might it look like to put this passage into practice?

Racing--

1 Corinthians 9:24–27 ESV

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

2 Timothy 2:5 ESV

5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.

Hebrews 12:1–2 ESV

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

What’s the prize Christians are racing for?

What does Paul mean by his exhortation to Timothy in 2:5?

Discussion

It’s been said that the 3 enemies Christians face are the world, the flesh, and the devil.

What do we think about this statement?

How can these enemies keep us from becoming more like Christ?

Paul compared the Christian life to that of an athlete needing specific discipline and determination. Where in each of our lives do we need to practice more discipline to pursue a more godly life?