Series: Thrive
Sermon: Losing Everything, Gaining Everything
Passage:: Philippians 3:4-11

Main Idea: By losing everything to gain Christ, Paul realized that he didn’t lose anything at all.

Purpose: Introduce topic and get the group talking.

1. Describe a time when you gave up something to gain something better?

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

2. Read Philippians 3:4-11. How does Paul describe his accomplishments before Christ in Philippians 3:4-6?

3. What does Paul say that he gained vs. what he lost when he met Christ in Philippians 3:7-11?

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

4. What things people have “lost” in this season?

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

5. Where are you tempted to turn (other than Jesus) to make up for the loss you’ve experienced? What might Jesus want you to say “no” to in order to focus on “knowing” Him?

Purpose: Spend time listening for God’s for direction and guidance as you seek to live out the truths of this passage in your everyday life.

6. It’s easy to “run to” things that we hope can replace the sense of “loss” we feel. Consider how Jesus might be inviting you to “run to” Him to find the “surpassing worth” of simply knowing Him?

Play “Run to the Father” as you take individual time to respond to the following prompts (feel free to write down your thoughts/prayers):

– Ask God to fill you with His presence … Open your heart and mind to Him.

– Ask the Holy Spirit to make you more aware of things in your life that are empty (“garbage”).

– What patterns or things do you need to release? (refer to question #5)

– How can Jesus help you become more intentionally focused on “knowing” Him?

– What rhythms or steps is He calling you to take to pursue Him?

– How can the members of the group support you?

7. Share your experience with the group. How did God meet you? What did you sense Him asking you to release? How do you hope to pursue Him more intentionally? How can the group support you?

8. Close in prayer for each other.

Purpose: Introduce topic and get the group talking.

1. Describe a time when you gave up something to gain something better?

This question is designed to get your group thinking about what it means to “lose” something in order to “gain” something of greater value. Examples:
– Ignoring your hunger when passing various fast food options until you get to your favorite place
– Saving money to buy one special item you’ve wanted instead of multiple items of lesser worth
– Giving up sugar/desserts to reach a higher goal of losing weight with a healthier diet
– Not compromising in ethical situations that might be “advantageous” but not honoring to God
– Not seeking payback or revenge after being hurt in a relationship in order to seek reconciliation

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

2. Read Philippians 3:4-11. How does Paul describe his accomplishments before Christ in Philippians 3:4-6?

Paul’s “confidence in the flesh” was expressed through his religious credentials, activities, and achievements:
– “circumcised on the eighth day” – a sign of obedience to God and belonging to His covenant people
– “of the tribe of Benjamin” – esteemed Jewish heritage; Israel’s first king, Saul, was from his tribe; the tribes of Benjamin and Judah were the only two tribes to return to Israel after the Exile (Ezra 4:1)
– “in regards to the Law, a Pharisee” – a devout Jewish sect that scrupulously followed the laws of Moses in addition to the rules they created to reinforce the Law’s guidelines in their lives
– “as for zeal, persecuting the church” – thinking that Jesus’ claims to be the Messiah were false in not meeting Paul’s messianic expectations, he felt justified in his aggressive persecution of the church
– “as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” – Paul’s religious reputation was without equal

3. What does Paul say that he gained vs. what he lost when he met Christ in Philippians 3:7-11?

In verses 7-9, Paul’s perspective on his “gains” (religious accomplishments mentioned in v. 4-6) radically changed. He now considered all of it a “loss” or “garbage” when compared to the “surpassing worth of knowing Christ.” Because he valued his relationship with Christ above everything else, he was willing to give up his family, friendship, and freedom in order to “gain Christ.” He now understood that no amount of self-righteousness, based on his religious merit, could earn him right standing with God. Paul’s greatest hope was to “to 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.”

In verses 10, Paul expresses his desire to “know Christ” by experiencing the resurrection power that raised Him from the dead but also to identify with Christ “in his suffering.” The Life Application Study Bible notes: “Christ’s resurrection power helps us live morally renewed and regenerated lives. But as we walk in our new life, we also share in his death by considering our old way of life and sinful desires as dead and unresponsive. Just as the resurrection gives us Christ’s power to live for Him, the crucifixion marks the death of our old, sinful nature. We can’t know the victory of the resurrection without personally experiencing the meaning of the cross.”

In verse 11, Paul’s comment regarding “attaining to the resurrection from the dead,” is in reference to his future hope of experiencing eternal life with God. Although the eventual circumstances of his death remained a mystery to him, he had no doubt that his physical death would result in being raised up to new spiritual life to share in Christ’s glory (Revelation 22:1-7).

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

4. What things people have “lost” in this season?

Group members might mention a variety of “losses”:
– job elimination or furlough
– death of a loved one
– relational connection/community through church closings
– financial stability
– mental health/wellness
– limitations on fun activities (beach, restaurants, theater, vacations, etc.)
– educational in-class learning vs. Zoom

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

5. Where are you tempted to turn (other than Jesus) to make up for the loss you’ve experienced? What might Jesus want you to say “no” to in order to focus on “knowing” Him?

Group members might mention a variety of things:
– excessive food – diet – exercise – body image
– Netflix – entertainment/social media binges
– romantic relationships
– increasing work productivity
– substance addiction
– party lifestyle
– relational/social networking
– shopping
– building a spiritual reputation through church-related activities

Purpose: Spend time listening for God’s direction and guidance as you seek to live out the truths of this passage in your everyday life.

6. It’s easy to “run to” things that we hope can replace the sense of “loss” we feel. Consider how Jesus might be inviting you to “run to” Him to find the “surpassing worth” of simply knowing Him?

8. Close in prayer for each other.