Philippians 9: Knowing Christ today

Philippians 3:12-16

Ready for Impact (10 minutes)

Catch up on how things have been over the past week. Then ask group members to: talk about a long-term friendship you have. How has this friendship evolved over time?

Ask for a volunteer to read Philippians 3:12-16 to the group, praying that you’d be deeply impacted by God’s word and then impact others in Jesus’ name.

Watch

If you’re not gathered in person, the leader should project the video for the group through sharing their screen. If you’re using Zoom, make sure you have optimised your screen share for video.

Impacted by the Word (15 minutes)

Here are some suggested questions to help your discussion:

• What are your initial responses to Philippians 3:12-16? What strikes you?
• What’s the difference between knowing about Christ and knowing Christ?
• “Truly mature Christians know how immature they are.” How can this be so?
• What might we expect to see in a ‘mature’ group of Christians? What hallmarks would you expect to see in a ‘mature’ local church?
• What would it look like for you personally to forget what is past, focusing instead on knowing more of Christ?

Impacting Our Hearts (10 minutes)

Some might argue that – if Christians are sure that they are in Jesus’ grip, whatever they do – there is no motivation to persevere in a life of knowing him. By contrast, Paul indicates that his motivation to know Christ is because ‘Christ Jesus took hold of me.’

Discuss how you might view your lives differently if it really hit home that Jesus had taken hold of you in this way.

Impacting the University (15 minutes)

Today’s Impact video emphasised that it’s impossible to have a dynamic relationship with a dead person. Paul could speak about knowing Christ because he was convinced that he was alive!

Eugene Peterson writes:

The Bible is not a script for a funeral service, but it is the record of God always bringing life to where we expected to find death. Everywhere it is a story of resurrection.

• How does the resurrection of Jesus offer profound hope to those who put their trust in him? Share stories of what this has meant for you.
• Becky writes, “While we must listen respectfully, it is important to make clear that our faith is not based on irrationality or superstitions but on credible evidence. We need to tell people that Christ is risen! But we need to do so not argumentatively, but lovingly.” What common objections have you come across to Jesus’ resurrection? How might you seek to answer these objections going forward?

For more, read Chapters 9-10 of Becky Pippert’s Stay Salt, which consider the resurrection and return of Jesus.

Spend time praying for one another and for friends by name, especially those you know would discover a much-needed new hope should they come to meet the resurrected King Jesus.

Confirm the time you’ll meet next week, and close your time together.