Life Group Study Questions:

Look Back (5-10 minutes)

Open your group with a moment to connect and look back.

1. How is everyone doing? Did anything notable happen this week?
2. Did anything in the reading for this week impact you?

Discuss the Message (30-45 minutes)

We’re in a study of Philippians, a letter written by the Apostle Paul from a prison cell. This letter is a powerful picture of a life fully centered on Jesus—where every circumstance, every relationship, and every decision is shaped by one defining reality: Jesus is everything. Philippians invites us out of a life of observation and into a life of participation. It calls us to reorient everything around Jesus—to say with Paul, “For me, to live is Christ.” And as we do, we discover that this kind of life isn’t a burden—it’s where real joy is found. This week, we are in Philippians 3:12-4:1, and the big idea is: Our part in Jesus’ story is to run after the God who has run after us.

Use these questions to discuss the message from Sunday, focusing on how you can grow as an everyday follower of Jesus and how you can go accomplish what Jesus calls you to do.

1. Have someone read Philippians 3:12-14. Paul insists he has not already arrived at perfection but makes every effort to take hold of the prize because Christ has taken hold of him. How does knowing that Jesus has already secured us motivate our effort to pursue him rather than causing us to become spiritually lazy?
2. Have someone read Philippians 3:17-19. Paul warns with tears about those who walk as "enemies of the cross," whose god is their stomach and whose minds are set on earthly things. What are some common earthly distractions that threaten to pull our attention away from running the spiritual race set before us?
3. Have someone read Philippians 3:20-21 and Philippians 4:1. Paul reminds the church that our citizenship is in heaven and urges them to stand firm as his joy and crown. How does keeping an eager expectation of Christ's return and bodily transformation help us endure present struggles?
4. The sermon defines spiritual maturity not as having arrived, but as forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. What past mistake, regret, or past accomplishment do you need to let go of so you can grow in running your race with endurance?
5. Have someone read Hebrews 12:1-2. Since running this race requires laying aside hindrances and fixing our eyes on Jesus, how can you go and come alongside someone in your circle this week who feels tired or ready to give up, helping them refocus on Christ?

Close and Pray (5-10 minutes)

As the discussion comes to a close, transition to a time of prayer. Praying together is one of the best ways for your group to connect. Often, splitting into smaller groups for prayer can be beneficial. This can look many different ways, but the goal is for your group to be comfortable praying together, sharing what is really going on in your lives, and asking God to work as you follow Jesus together.