The Power of His Resurrection

Philippians 3:10-14 (Amplified)
And this, so that I may KNOW Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]; 11 so that I may attain to the resurrection [that will raise me] from the dead.12 Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

CG Discussion Points

  1. What does the expression “knowing God” truly mean? How does awareness of God’s holiness help us understand the necessity of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross? (Philippians 3:10a; John 17:3; Psalm 99:9; Hebrews 9:22; 2 Corinthians 5:21)
  2. What is the best evidence of God’s love and goodness? Discuss Jesus’ involvement in the plan of our justification. (Romans 5:9; Galatians 3:13-14; 1 John 4:8; Acts 10:38; James 1:17)
  3. How does the power of the resurrected Christ affect our lives? Describe some of the characteristics of the victorious life in Christ. (Philippians 3:10b; Ephesians 1:19-20; Ephesians 3:16,19; Romans 8:2,11; 2 Peter 1:3-4)
  4. Explain the character of Christ’s suffering. What does it mean that we are to choose to love rather than fight? (Philippians 3:10c; Matthew 16:24)