I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST

Philippians 3:1-11
Key Verse 3:10

1. 	Read v. 1. What does the exhortation to "rejoice in the Lord" indicate about the life that is "in" the Lord (Psa 16:11; 118:15; Zep 3:17; Gal 5:22)? Why did Paul write the same things again? What can we learn from Paul as a shepherd for God's flock?

2. 	Read v. 2. By "those dogs", "those men who do evil", "those mutilators of flesh" Paul means those who oppose the doctrine of "salvation by faith in Jesus Christ alone". What do the following expressions tell us about them: 1) "those dogs"; 2) "those men who do evil"; and 3) "those mutilators of flesh"? Why does Paul say we need to "watch out" for them? 

3. 	Read v. 3. What does Paul mean by "It is we who are 'the circumcision'" (Rm 2:29; 4:11; Col 2:11; Jn 1:10-12; Acts 2:38)? What does "glory" in Christ mean? What does Paul mean by "the flesh" (Jn 3:7; Rm 7:5, 18, 25; Psa 51:5)? 

4. 	Read vs. 4-6. How many reasons are listed? Paul says that he had reasons to “put confidence” in the flesh, and yet he chose not to. Why (Acts 4:12)? 

5. 	Read vs. 7-11. This passage describes Paul's past, present, and future struggles to secure salvation in the Lord. What can we learn from Paul about the way of salvation (Mk 8:34-9:1)?