Philippians 3:4-14

4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Pondering Point

Read this section of Paul's letter to the Christians
in Philippi and then use versus 10-11 to pray for yourself like this:

Prayer

Father God, I want to know Jesus Christ. I want to know the power of His resurrection. I want to know fellowship with Jesus, being united with Him in His sufferings. I want somehow to become like Jesus in His death and live as a new creation in Christ -- brought from death to life. Help me to serve as a vehicle of life for others in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Post-Prayer Thoughts

Meditate over these points with God:
(Give strong consideration to talking about this in your group).

• How can I get to know Jesus better?
• How have I experienced the power of Jesus’ resurrection?
• How can I fellowship with Jesus?
• How is Jesus asking me to suffer in connection with Him?
• How can I live like a “new creation” in Jesus?

Hook Questions

Use these questions with your group when you are using Bible stories as central to your time together.

• Share an accomplishment of which you are proud (maybe too proud; share anyway).
  

Bible Storying's Core Questions

1. What did you like (or learn new) about the story?
   
2. What did you not like (or not understand) about it?
   
3. What are the various people doing in the story? With whom do you identify within the story?
   
4. What is God doing in the story?
   
5. What might God be asking of you triggered by this story? How is He challenging you?

Remember: A great way to get God’s stories to stick with you is telling them to other people.