Philippians 3:10-14

< Back to Philippians Index


TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Goal of Christian Living

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. There is a present goal for the Christian.

  2. There is a future prize for the Christian.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Make a fresh start every day.

QUESTIONS

  1. Why couldn’t Paul visit the Philippians at the time he wrote this letter?

  2. What was Paul’s great concern for the Philippians?

  3. What is the present goal for the Christian?

  4. If a believer really wants to know the Lord in greater measure, what are the three areas of Christian experience that need to be practiced?

ANSWERS

  1. Because he was a prisoner in Rome

  2. They were in danger of false teaching, which was around them and could distort sound doctrine.

  3. To know Christ (Philippians 3:10) and to live for Him

  4. a. the power of His resurrection b. the fellowship of His sufferings c. by being conformed to His death

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. What is the future prize for the Christian? Differentiate between the goal and the prize. Refer to Philippians 3:14, Hebrews 3:1 and Hosea 6:3.

  2. Consider how a Christian can practice the power of Christ’s resurrection. What does this mean practically?

CHALLENGE

  1. Paul wanted to practice the present goal of Christian living all the way through his life. Is this your goal? Remember to make a fresh start every day, forgetting those things behind…

KEY VERSES

  • “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14