Everything's Possible - End of Week 3

INTRODUCTION
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN QUESTIONS
What’s one thing about your life, your accomplishments, or even your family and your ancestry that you are particularly proud of and like to talk to others about (not for bragging, but just because it means a lot to you)?

HEAD
1. Read Philippians 2:25 - 3:11 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come to you from the reading.
2. Paul dotes on Epaphroditus almost unlike any other list of praises he gives another person. What are some of those affirmations he gives Epaphroditus?
3. In what ways do you rejoice in the Lord? What does that look like for you? Why do you think Paul emphasized it so much in his letters?
4. Why do you think people were trying to force the Gentile Christians to get circumcised? Was it to be saved? Was it about tradition?
5. Paul was the Jewish Jew who may have ever lived, but the argument he makes is that all those things are worthless compared to what Christ has done for us. What are some of the accomplishments we put stock in today that may seem like Paul’s pedigree but in our world or in our faith tradition?
6. Paul’s language in verse 8 is strong, he doesn’t just consider his past accomplishments garbage, the Greek is actually dog dung. How do you and I move from trying to earn our salvation, to receiving His love and believing we already have it?

HEART
1. Knowing how Paul encouraged Epaphroditus, who is someone in your church, your community, that you know could use some encouragement right now? After sharing that name, how might you go about encouraging them this week in some tangible way? Everyone needs encouragement.
2. When was the last time you experienced true joy? How about true joy in church? Did either experience make you want to tell others and/or bring others so they could hopefully have a similar experience? (this is evangelism, BTW)
3. We struggle so much to accept the gospel of Jesus that the cross was enough to save us. What kinds of things do we say a believer “Must do” in order to be saved beyond receiving Christ? What evidence is there in a person’s life that they have received Christ? Does the evidence save, or does Christ save?
4. In v 3:10, Paul says he wants to know Christ intimately and experience His power, even if it means suffering with him. What might it look like for us to suffer with Christ today? It’s not an easy road, this following Jesus thing, but what kinds of things help us stay the course?

HANDS
This week, just like we talked about above, there is someone in your circle of influence who needs encouragement. Whatever that looks like, take a few moments to send a text, write a card, or drop by a small token of appreciation…whatever it is, do something. All of us need encouragement. And if the first experience was rewarding, encourage someone else, and so on and so on.
 
LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT