Study Guide for - Enjoy Life week 2 Summary of this week’s message: One of the keys to enjoying life lies in accomplishing the most important goals in our lives. The issue thought is that often our goals are the wrong goals. We plan them and pursue them and accomplish them (or at least we hope). But, what we find is that there’s a huge difference between having goals and the “right” goals. What should a Christ follower focus on? Turns out, most of our goals focus on doing, what we have done, or what we want to do. Paul, as we discovered in this message, unlocks a key to enjoying life. Yes, we should accomplish goals. However, our goals should focus less on what we “do” and more on what we “become.”

SERMON STUDY & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (includes application points) Discuss It! Answer these questions together as we begin.

1. What are some of your biggest accomplishments in life? 2. What’s one goal you hope to accomplish this year? Is it a habit goal or achievement goal? 3. How do you know what the “right” goals are?

Read Philippians 3: 1-4. We begin by reading a weird blurb Paul puts in this joy-filled letter. He breaks and calls a group of people “mutilators of flesh and dogs.” What is that all about? Turns out, a group of people known as the Judaizers were trying to make those wanting to follow Jesus become Jewish before they could become Christian. They added an extra step.

1. Why was this a problem for Paul? 2. Was Paul justified in his response? 3. Do we, today, make people feel like they have to “do” something else to become more likable to

God and before they can feel like they belong in a faith family?

Read Philippians 3: 4-6. Often we dwell on our past. Sometimes we view it with regret. Sometimes we view it as wanting to return to the “glory days.” Paul had a lot of glory days as he lists here. He was top dog in his environment. Yet, he was a grave danger to identify by what he accomplished and his status. He knew he had to abandon all of that.

1. What things do you consider as something you can brag about? Don’t be shy; just answer. 2. Do those things come in the way of you “becoming” more like Jesus?

Read Philippians 3: 7-11. So, how then should we view those bragging rights, and goals focused on only “doing” more? As garbage. Yes, you read that right. To Paul, he viewed all his past accomplishments as garbage compared to “who he was becoming” in Jesus. He was so upset with the Judaizers because they were trying to make people focus on “doing” more to be more likable by God. Jesus already paid the price and there are no steps added. We must abandon all our doing, bragging rights, and pride to truly become the best “us” we can.

1. Is this hard for you to do? Why? 2. What things do you need to let go of to truly embrace becoming more like Jesus?

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Read Philippians 3: 12-14. Paul knew he had not yet arrived. What a great reminder for us. Sometimes, as believers, we can mistake ourselves for having already learned all we need to know. We have not arrived yet. There’s more because it’s a life long journey becoming more like Jesus every day.

1. Share with your group a time you had to face the reality that you always have more ways to grow? If you have not experienced that yet it could mean you need to address this now.

2. How do your current goals and aspirations measure up to who Jesus wants you to become? 3. What take away from Paul’s words do you need to go immediately and apply?

Life Group Serving Opportunities One of the greatest things about being in a Life Group are the ways you can serve. There are several local ministries that LCC partners with. Below are some that you and your Life Group can do something about right now! These are ongoing opportunities that can be life transforming for your group and the people you will impact.

1. Boone County Mentoring We have an incredible organization in our town that provides hope to the next generation. Boone County Mentoring is the place where your simple intentional presence can be life changing to a youth in our community. Your Life Group can be full of people who invest in the next generation. If this is something you or your group want to look into (which we strongly encourage), please go to boonecountymentoring.org for more information!

2. Shalom House Another fantastic organization in our community is the Shalom House. Shalom is an outpost of hope to many people who are suffering, lonely, and in need of a simple meal right here in Lebanon. And, it’s super easy to get started serving at Shalom! Every week they need groups who can commit to come and help serve a hot meal to these people in need of hope. It’s a restaurant-like experience that the people who come feel valued and loved and YOU can be a part of that. More information at lebanoncommunityshalom.com or contact Lisa at laswilliams3@yahoo.com and you can get connected.

3. Life Centers The mission of Life Centers is to affirm the value of life by providing a network of care to those experiencing pregnancy-related decisions and by compassionately presenting biblical truth resulting in changed lives to the glory of God. Head over to lifecenters.com and see how your Life Group could get involved!

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