Philippians 3:7-14

Theme

Discovering new priorities in Christ.

Questions
  • Think of some of the hopes and aspirations you have for life. What seems like the most important? What seems to ‘profit’ your life?
  • Look at v.7-8, whatever Paul thought of as gains, he now considers to be rubbish (literally, dung). What are the sorts of things in Paul’s life which look like ‘gains’ but which he now says are rubbish (look at v.4-6)?
  • In what ways do you place your hopes/confidence in your status or achievements or recognition? Are there things you hesitate to lose or count as rubbish for the sake of Christ? Why?
  • Paul’s hopes are based on the resurrection (v.10-11).
    • What do you think he means by knowing the power of resurrection?
    • Look at his prayer for the Ephesian church in Ephesians 1:18-20, why does he want them to know the power of God at work in them?
    • What do you think he means by sharing in Christ’s sufferings and becoming like him in his death (think about what Jesus said in Matthew 16:24-25, and the hymn of praise to Jesus in Philippians 2:5-8)?
    • How can you live a life which reflects Christ’s sufferings, but which also reflects the power of God?
  • In v.12 Paul speaks about not having been ‘made perfect’, or been ‘made mature’.
    • What sort of things do you think show a mature faith?
    • Do you think maturity (or lack of maturity) can be a barrier to you serving in a new way in church, or trying something new for God? Do verse 12-14 challenge you to overcome that barrier? Why/why not?
  • Twice (v.12 & 14) Paul says he ‘presses on’, a phrase which is to do with pursuing something.
    • Why do you think Paul emphasises the need to press on in the Christian faith? Is this an encouragement or a challenge (or both!)?
    • How can we help one another as we press on in faith?
  • In v.13 Paul speaks about forgetting the past.
    • What do you think he means by this? Is it possible to completely erase the past? Is that what Paul is saying here, or is he saying something else?
    • How do you move forward in life and faith without the past having a hold over you (do passages like 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 and Ephesians 4:22-24 help)?
  • In Christ I have a New Hope is the theme for this week. How did this passage help you think about the hopes and aspirations you have for life? How does it help you set priorities? Did you learn something new, or were you challenged by something in particular?