A.Take Yourself Less Seriously (Philip. 3:1-7)

B.Take Christ More Seriously (Philip. 3:8-14)

1.What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?

2.The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, “What is the chief end of man?” It answers, “Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” What do you think it means to glorify God and to enjoy Him? How do you enjoy God?

3.In Luke 10, when 70 of Jesus’ disciples return from their mission and rejoice that, “Even the demons are subject to us in Your Name,” Jesus warns them, “Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.” (Luke 10:20) What do you think Jesus means? What is He warning His disciples of?

4.Please read Philippians 3:1-14 and answer the following questions.

a.How is rejoicing in the Lord a safeguard for us (vs. 1)?

b.Who is Paul warning the Philippians of in vs. 2? Why? What does rejoicing in the Lord protect us from?

c.Why does Paul tell the Philippians to beware of the people in vs. 2? (Vs. 3) What differences do you observe between those described in vs. 2 and in vs. 3?

d.How does Paul use his own example to prove his point in vs. 4-6? What accomplishments could you boast in if you wanted?

e.Why doesn’t Paul rejoice in his own accomplishments? (vs. 7)

f.How will taking ourselves too seriously kill our joy in the Lord?

g.List the ways you see Paul taking Jesus more seriously than he takes himself in vs. 8-11.

5.Because Paul’s joy is in Jesus and not in his own accomplishments, how does he live (vs. 12-14)? How could you apply these verses?

6.What is God’s greatest competitor in your heart? If you aren’t trusting Christ to make you happy, what are you trusting?

What is one thing you have learned from this passage and how will you apply it to your life?