(These notes may evolve and I might add to them after the meeting)
STUDY QUESTIONS
Do you think Christians
should have self-confidence? Why / why not?
Before studying the
passage, think about things that someone might “rejoice in” / “glory in” or
“put confidence in”?
Why might they do that?
V1: Where in the letter
has Paul already referred to rejoicing? Do you think that sheds any light on
this passage?
What do you think it means
/ looks like to “rejoice in the Lord”?
(How is it different from
just “rejoice!” or seeking to be happy?)
Do you find it striking
that we are commanded to rejoice?
What reasons do we have
for rejoicing? (Can you think of any from Philippians or from this passage?)
How could we deliberately
and consciously rejoice in the Lord more fully / often?
Could you relate the rest
of the section to Paul’s command to rejoice at all? How does this command fit
with the rest of the chapter? Why does Paul go on to say this other stuff?
Who do you think Paul is
talking about in v2?
What do you think their views
/ approach might have been?
Why does Paul warn so
strongly against this stuff? Doesn’t it seem a bit harsh and over the top? Why
do you think Paul would say this matters so much?
What was the significance
of circumcision in Old Testament times? (v3, v5)
What does the phrase “we …
are the circumcision” mean? (v3)
What are the
characteristics of Christians according to v3?
What do you think these
things mean? How would you put these things into your own word?
How can we do these things
more?
What do you think it means
to “put confidence in the flesh”? (v3, v4)
What reasons does Paul say
he might have for confidence in the flesh? (vv4-6)
What do each of these
things mean?
What’s the significance of
the details?
Why mention the 8th
day? (v5)
What’s special about the
tribe of Benjamin? (v5)
What’s relevant about the
Pharisees? (v5)
Why might someone put his or
her confidence in those things? In what ways do they seem good qualifications?
What things might we be
tempted to put our confidence in and why?
What might someone think
of as their Christian credentials?
(How might someone imagine
the ideal superbly qualified Christian?)
How does Paul evaluate
those things now? Vv7-8.
Why?
(Why do you think its
wrong to put confidence in the flesh?)
What are his priorities?
Vv7-10
What is he contrasting
with what and why?
Do you think these things
are really mutually exclusive like this? Why?
Where’s Paul’s new
confidence now? (v3, vv7-11)
In what sense has Paul
“lost all things”? (v8)
Do you really think we
have to consider all these things “dung” / rubbish? (v8)
What does this mean / look
like in practice?
According to Paul how can
and how can’t a person be “righteous”? V9
(What does righteousness
mean here?)
What would be the problem
with “a righteousness of my own which comes from the law”? (v9)
(What law is Paul thinking
of here?)
In what sense does Paul
welcome suffering (v10)? And why?
How would these verses
encourage us if we suffer for Christ’s sake?
What do you think has
caused Paul’s radical re-evaluation and why?
Do you agree with Paul
about what really matters?
How would our thinking and
lives be different if we took these things to heart?
How would you sum up this
passage?
Is there a big idea? Can
you suggest theme and aim sentences for the preacher? (What is the main message
and how should we respond to it?)
What changes does this passage
call for in our thinking or living?
Are there any practical
steps we might consider in the light of this passage?
How would this passage
inform our praises and prayers?
(What have we seen that we
could rejoice in and give thanks for?)
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