07.17.2022 | MORE & MORE | Wk 6: “No Confidence in the Flesh”
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Breaking Ground
What is your greatest skill or ability? How did you get so good at it?
The Dig
On Sunday, we continued our series More & More on the Book of Philippians (Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi).
Read Philippians 3:1-3. Here, Paul warns the Philippians about those who define spirituality & Christianity by cultural identity markers & tribalism. In particular, he focuses on those who put their confidence in the flesh; which, in Greek, is best understood as human ego (the part of us obsessed with comparison, self-centeredness, & superiority in relation to others).
What is the inherent danger of blending ego, tribalism, & cultural identity into spirituality & religion?
Why does Paul see this as so counter to the fundamental vision & purpose of Christian spirituality?
Next, read Philippians 3:4-14. In this passage, Paul lays out his own ego accomplishments, only to label them as garbage & worthless barriers to what really matters in life & faith.
What stands out to you about Paul’s language here?
How did Paul’s journey of spirituality & experience of Jesus change how he understood his past & the ego-driven pursuits that used to define his identity, worth, meaning, & purpose?
How does Paul seem to understand his identity & life’s purpose in the present?
Close by reflecting on how this passage speaks to you presently.
What ego-pursuits, cultural identity markers, or human efforts have you relied upon for identity, worth meaning, & purpose in the past? What led you to change your posture towards them?
What ego-pursuits, cultural identity markers, or human efforts do you find yourself most often putting your confidence in now for things like identity, worth, meaning, & purpose? How might Jesus & discipleship turn that upside-down & lead you into deeper growth in this season?
Getting Out of the Hole
During this series, take time each week to read & meditate on each section of Philippians that we cover. This week:
- Read Philippians 3:1-14.
- Write down or underline key words or phrases in the passage.
- Meditate on what issues of ego, cultural/national identity, or human effort that you most often seem to put your trust & confidence in for giving you security, meaning, purpose, identity, or value. Consider things like: work, money, family, romantic relationships, tribal identity, etc.
- Read through Philippians 3:1-14 again. How does this passage challenge you in those areas? How might Jesus Christ turn upside-down & reorient your relationship with these things or areas of life?
- Ask God to help you discern what it would mean to grow, heal, & surrender to Him in this parts of your life.
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
The Story of God Bible Commentary by Lynn H. Cohick
Resident Aliens by Stanley Hauerwas
A Hidden Wholeness by Parker Palmer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, July 23rd: Join us next Sunday for week 7 of our series More & More, where we will continue walking through Paul’s Letter to the Philippians!
* Please see mye3.org for details.