SMALL GROUP GUIDE Live Like Jesus: “Becoming Like Jesus” Scripture Focus: Philippians 3:12–21
ICEBREAKER
What is something you become unexpectedly competitive about?
OR
Who is someone you have looked up to in life? What quality in that person did you want to imitate?
INTRODUCTION
Competition is woven into much of life. We compare our accomplishments, abilities, careers, families, possessions, and even our spiritual progress. But following Jesus is not a race against the people around us. The goal is not to become more successful, impressive, or spiritually accomplished than someone else, rather, it is to become like Jesus. What stood out to you most from this week’s message?
INTO THE WORD
Read Philippians 3:12, Romans 8:28–29, and 2 Corinthians 3:17–18. What other goals or priorities can quietly take the place of pursuing Jesus? How might your daily decisions change if becoming like Jesus were your definition of success?
Read Philippians 3:13-14, Acts 20:24, and 2 Timothy 4:7. Paul describes himself as pressing on and straining forward. What do those words tell us about the determination required to grow spiritually? How can past failure, regret, or even past success keep us from moving forward?
Read Philippians 3:15–19, 1 Corinthians 11:1, and Hebrews 13:7. Why are godly examples important in our formation? What qualities should we look for in someone we choose to imitate?
Read Philippians 3:20–21, Colossians 3:1–4, and 1 John 3:2–3. What does it mean that our citizenship is in heaven? How should the promised return of Jesus shape our priorities, decisions, and relationships today and what would it look like for you in your daily life?
EMBRACE AND EMBODY
Living like Jesus means:
• Making Christlikeness our primary definition of success.
• Pressing forward because God is not finished with us.
• Refusing to let our past define our future.
• Learning from people whose lives faithfully reflect Jesus.
• Living according to our heavenly citizenship.
• Allowing our future with Jesus to shape our priorities today.
• Living today like Jesus is coming back today. As a group, discuss the following questions:
• When you think about the person you are becoming, where do you see God growing you?
• What past failure, regret, success, or disappointment do you need to stop allowing to define you?
• What is one area where you need to stop comparing yourself with others and focus instead on becoming like Christ?
TAKE YOUR NEXT RIGHT STEP (Prayerfully consider one of the following next steps)
• Seek God Daily: Read Philippians 3:12–21 each day. Ask God, “What is my next faithful step?”
• Build Deep Relationships: Identify someone whose life reflects Jesus and ask them about an area in which you would like to grow.
• Serve Others: Take one action that puts your heavenly citizenship ahead of personal comfort, recognition, or convenience.
OPTIONAL GROUP PRAYER PRACTICE
Give everyone a few quiet moments to reflect on these questions:
• “What has been keeping me from moving forward with Jesus?”
• “Where have bad examples influenced me away from following Jesus?”
• “What is one next step God may be asking me to take?”
Invite group members to silently surrender any comparison, regret, complacency, or misplaced priority to Jesus. Then pray for one another, asking God to give each person determination, wise examples to follow, and a deeper awareness of their citizenship in heaven.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank you that you have made us your own. Thank you that you are not finished with us. Forgive us for the times we have compared ourselves with others. Give us determination to keep moving forward. Remind us that our citizenship is in heaven and that Jesus will return and complete the work You have begun in us. Shape our present priorities through the hope of our future with You. We trust you. Make us more like Jesus each day. In His name, Amen.
