Discipleship Explored - worksheet 6 EN

Transformed in Christ

Philippians 3:10-21 says 10I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his

Reveal Answer
, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, attaining to the
Reveal Answer
from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me
Reveal Answer
in Christ Jesus. 15All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Q1 In the verses 10 and 11, Paul expresses his desires. List those four in your own words. And describe what you think he means. And elaborate on your own desires in knowing more about Christ.

Q2 What is good about participation in his sufferings and about becoming like him in his death?

Q3 Read verse 11 again and notice that Paul uses the word somehow and he uses the word attain. It looks like he is not sure about being resurrected and that he may need to accomplish something for that to happen. Compare this verse with 1 Thessalonians 4:17, where Paul is sure about the rapture. And compare this verse also with 1 Corinthians 15:35-52, where Paul is sure about the resurrection of every believer’s body. How do you harmonize these writings by Paul?

Q4 In verse 14 the believers are strongly encouraged to press on toward the goal to win the prize. In verse 15, Paul states that all of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. Does that mean that all mature Christians believe exactly the same? Or does it mean that we are in agreeement about essentials, and that we may differ in non-essentials?

Q5 When you read verses 18 and 19 we sadly conclude that there are enemies of the cross. Their destiny is destruction. Are they acting badly intentionally or are they just believers in the flesh?

Q6 How beautiful is the future of the ones who are sure about their final citizenship (verses 20-21). What is portayed about our bodily transormation? Which hope is obvious in this passage? What’s your hope? You agree with the title of this study?

Q7 Does the title of this study cover your new lifestyle? Could you include the message of Romans 12 in your answer?

Write down Philippians 3:10 and memorize