Striving Towards the Goal

Philippians 3:12-21
Small Group Questions


1. Read Philippians 1:21-30. What stands out to you?

- Try and pull out key themes such as ‘upward calling’, ‘citizenship in Heaven’ and ‘striving/straining.

2. Luke said that often God uses bad experiences to refine us, not define us. What do you think this means?

- We can often wallow in our bad experiences; we can sometimes even blame God for this.
- We can’t let bad experiences define us negatively; we need to look at them as God refining us.

3. What does it mean to ‘press on’?

- Pastor Luke used the term ‘Exasperated persistence’. To keep striving toward Jesus even when you feel like you’re spiritually/emotionally/mentally exhausted.

4. In verse 14, Paul tells us to focus on our ‘upward calling’. What do you think this means?

- ‘Upward’ calling; the highest calling there is. To know Jesus and make Him known.

5. Verse 20 talks about out citizenship being in Heaven. What do you think this means?

-We are citizens of Heaven first and foremost; we are ambassadors here on Earth.

6. What were some things you got out of the message/passage?