Lesson Plan 4: Reliance on Christ

2001-04-23

Passage

Philippians 3:1-16

Aim

The student will not only realize that all boldness of salvation is in Christ but he or she will also follow Christ’s lead when living in this life in all matters.

Introduction

In America, we have been blessed by God to have more physical wealth and education than any other state in the world today, and have come to rely on so many of these things. Make a list of all the important things they you on daily. This could be for your job or family, objects, physical abilities or anything else important that is necessary to live your life.

The class will be divided into three groups. They will read the entire passage, Philippians 3:1-16, and be asked to answer some questions on a portion of the passage. Beneath each question are probable answers with also a feel of how the discussion might go.

Study, Part 1

Looking backward: Confidence in the flesh?

After reading the entire passage, focus on Philippians 3:1-6. Questions:

Who is “the circumcision”?

The real “circumcision” is the group that does not put their confidence in the flesh, but in Jesus Christ. Paul is writing this letter to the Philippians, and using “we” in Philippians 3:3, meaning both the Jewish and the Gentile, both him and the recipients of the letter. They worship in the Spirit; they have in them the Spirit of God and they offer true worship to God. They rejoice in Christ because He is the means of being emancipated from slavery to sin.

What claims could Paul possibly have that he might have confidence in the flesh?

  1. Circumcision on the eighth day. Circumcision was an integral portion of being part of the Jewish heritage. In addition, Paul adds that he was circumcised on eighth day, which when it was suppose to take place according to Mosaic Law, and as it was originally commanded of Abraham.
  2. Stock of Israel. Paul was a direct descendant of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Patriarchs.
  3. Tribe of Benjamin. He knew which tribe he was from, one of the two favorite sons of Jacob’s favorite wife Rachel.
  4. Hebrew of Hebrews. There were no impurities in his birthright.
  5. A Pharisee. He was a scholar of the law.
  6. Zeal in persecution of the church. He tolerated no rival religion to the Pharisaical religion of self-righteousness.
  7. Blameless in the righteousness of the law. Strove to keep the outward customs of his heritage.

Who is being described, then, in Philippians 3:2?

This question is used to set the stage for the other studies’ research when it comes to discussion time. These people are like unclean scavengers like dogs, of evil deeds, and cause mutilation. This group consists of those that look at the physical skeleton of the law without examining its Spiritual essence. These are like what he described himself to be, but also the Judaizers that have slipped in the churches around Asia. This is a common theme that Paul wrote to the churches (Philippians 3:1). The dog was an unclean and sordid animal. They do evil deeds. They cause many to mutilate themselves. This is exactly what they claimed not to do. They thought themselves to be clean, doing righteous works, and preaching circumcision as a necessity of salvation. There is a lot of discussion on this portion, which will lead inevitably to the next portion.

Study, Part 2

Looking forward: Confidence in Christ

After reading the entire passage, focus on verses Philippians 3:7-11. Questions:

What has Paul lost? What has he gained?

The answer is twofold. First, he counts all things have been lost for the “excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Then, he states that all things that he lost are counted as “dung.” In the context of the passage, both before and after these verses, these things are the righteousness that a person achieves on his own. But righteousness comes only through Christ, and only in His power does He receive righteousness or do righteous things.

What are two types of righteousness?

First there is the hypothetical righteousness of one’s own, which is from the law. Of course, the law shows people that they are not righteousness. But for the scope of this class it is “righteousness” of one’s self. Secondly, there is righteousness that is through faith in Christ and from God.

What does Paul say of each type of righteousness?

  1. The “righteousness” of the self. Paul says that it is given from the law, which condemns the sinner. Paul says nothing else about this, primarily because there is nothing to say. There is no righteousness by the works of the law, except for Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life.
  2. In Christ, there are many results.
    • Knowing God and the power of His resurrection.
    • Fellowship in His sufferings.
    • Conformed to His death.
    • Resurrection from the dead.
    Paul shares in all great things in the splendor of Christ. Here on earth he knows God among a world that does not know Him. Though he shares in the suffering and death of Jesus, he knows that he too will also be resurrected from the dead.

Study, Part 3

Moving forward: Confidence in Christ’s promise.

After reading the entire passage, focus on Philippians 3:12-16. Questions:

Has Paul attained full perfection in his life? If not, will he?

Paul has not achieved perfection, but does look forward to being made perfect into the image of Christ. As in the previous passage, he knows God, shares in his suffering, and is conformed to his death. All these things will make Paul more Christ-like, but the final stage has not yet occurred. This is the resurrection, where he will be made perfect.

With this in mind, what goal does he look to?

This of course is the end to suffering in his own imperfection. That goal is the eternal fellowship with Jesus in completeness.

Transition

This will lead to the last few verses, which may have not yet entered the discussion. Paul says that likewise the Philippians should be of this same mind; that they do not have perfection yet because they have not yet been glorified. However, while in this process of Spiritual growth, one must look forward to the day where they will be emancipated from sin entirely. There is no person that has reached complete Spiritual maturity that is living on earth. But real maturity is looking forward to being Spiritually mature and not putting confidence in the physical abilities and traits of one’s self, which are futile and ephemeral. Christians must be of the same mind, Paul says, that they should be dissatisfied with the way they are and look forward to perfection, which will be fulfilled in Christ.

Summary

What things do people today count on today that inhibits Spiritual maturity?

Since Christ ascended to heaven, the church has grown immensely. At the same time, sinful human nature is just as strong as ever. Many of those in ministries and that are Biblical scholars can look back at the confidence of their education and be puffed up with pride, thinking, “I have the Truth in my pocket, what do you have, and what do you know?” This can be for apostate religion, but even true believers, where we can go back to Pharisaical false religion.

Another example of putting confidence in the wrong places such as finances, for example. Just as with Job’s family and property and also in the wealth of Babylon in Revelation, what is rich and full one moment and is gone the next. But the Spiritual splendor of Christ in our lives is to be completely fulfilled in the future and will never pass away.

Application

Take out the list in which they had listed important things of your day-to-day living, and ask, what if these things were taken away; how would you respond? Keep this card with you, and in your Bible throughout the week to remind yourself that Christ is the only sure reliance in their lives.