Discussion Questions

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JOY IN RELYING ON GOD Alex Grahmann

Introduction

July 5/6

If anyone had a right to brag about their accomplishments, it was Paul. He was a pure-blooded citizen of Israel, circumcised at the respectable time of 8 days old, and obeyed the religious law without fault. Yet Paul says, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done” (Philippians 3:7). True joy can’t be found in human actions, but solely out of a relationship with God.

Discussion Questions 1.

What efforts give you a sense of spiritual achievement and pride? The amount of time you spend Bible reading, praying, and serving? Where you work, the people you associate with, or the place you live?

2. With Jesus as the foundation and source of joy, how does your perspective change on attending church, raising a family, or shaping your career? How will the conversations you have and the relationships you build be affected? 3. We will never be good enough, moral enough, or religious enough to earn God’s love and eternal life on our own. Where can you start relying on Jesus instead of your own accomplishments this week? 4. Think of a person in your life who you’re unwilling to build a relationship with. Maybe they’re a co-worker who seems different from you or a neighbor who’s far from God, but you haven’t taken the risk to reach out to them. This week, instead of choosing what’s most comfortable for us—avoiding that relationship—let’s purposefully show that person God’s love.

Join the Conversation (Tweet your answer using #ebcDQs.)

True joy comes from relying on Jesus. How will you look to Him instead of your own actions this week?

Commit to Memory I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. Philippians 3:9

KEY SCRIPTURE Philippians 3:1 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord.

Philippians 3:2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved.

Philippians 3:8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.