Forward: Purpose (Small Group Study)
Small Group Study, week commencing 11th January.
Click here for a PDF version of these questions.
1. What would you say comes most easily to you: living in the past, the present or the future?
Read Philippians 3:7-14.
2. What do you think Paul means by ‘Forgetting what is behind…’? What should be the Christian’s attitude towards the past – both the ‘good’ stuff and the ‘bad’ stuff?
3. On one occasion, when asked what surprises him most, the Dalai Lama replied, “Man surprises me most. He sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present. The result being that he does not live in the present or the future. He lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.” “So what would you advise?” the interviewer asked. “Simple. Have fun. Why else are you here?” the Dalai Lama replied.
Discuss the Dalai Lama’s comments. What do you agree with? What do you disagree with? What would you say in answer to the question, “Why are we here?”
4. Our purpose, according to this passage in Philippians, is to
Know Christ (8) including his power and sufferings (10)
Gain Christ (8)
Be found in Christ (9)
Be righteous (9)
Attain to the resurrection from the dead (11)
What do these phrases mean?
5. “To enjoy a relationship with Christ, restoring what was lost when sin first entered the world, is why we are here. This is our purpose.” Discuss.
6. The language Paul uses (“pressing on”, verses 12,14; “straining”, verse 13) suggest that achieving our purpose will require effort on our part. Think about the different ways in which a relationship with Christ can be pursued (some are listed below). Why might effort be required?
Reading God’s Word, the Bible
Prayer
Worship
Church
Nature
Workplace or frontline
7. What are your hopes and prayers for the future? How do Paul’s words shape those hopes and prayers?
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