Discussion Guide Week of February 2, 2014 Have You Got What it Takes?

Philippians 3:2-9 This week's message is a powerful and probing question. We often make assumptions that our group members are believers in Jesus Christ, but more people than we realize live with a faith of Christ plus works or have not found a security in faith in Christ alone. This message discussion can help group members clarify for themselves and be equipped to clarify for others what it takes to become a true Christian and the prevailing attitude that empowers our growth. Opening question: Share a time in your life when you asked yourself the question, Have I got what it takes? Before you ask the group this question, share from your own life. As the facilitator, set the tone on this question by sharing an experience that does not get into the spiritual topic of the message, but gets into the feeling and emotion of wondering if you have what it takes. Discussion: Begin your group by reading the passage and rebuilding what Paul is saying? Do not interpret here; just review the unfolding of what he writes. Interact with your group: Why is the question, Have you got what it takes?, a critical question to ask oneself when it comes to our spiritual journey? What happens in our lives when we avoid this question? How does Paul's story answer the question about, having what it takes. Share with your group how this question emerged and confronted you in your spiritual journey and invite group members to share how this happened in their own life. You can facilitate group members to make this personal by asking them, How does Paul's answer to this question resonate with your own spiritual journey? How is this question and Paul's response relevant to where you are in your spiritual journey right now? You can close the discussion time by asking group members, Who is in your life right now that may be asking this question or needs to ask this question and what can you do to help this person take their next step? Prayer: You may want to use this time to rejoice and express gratitude for "Christs rightousness" that God has given us by His own initiative because of His love for us. You can also take time to pray for this to be the deepening motivation and fuel for taking our next steps in the Ultimate Journey. Finally, you can have group members pray for others in their lives who need to ask themselves this question and answer it by the truth of what Paul is teaching us in this passage.