The people that we spend time with have a massive impact on us - those closest to us will shape our world-view, character and destiny. Who do you spend the most time with and are they helping you to know Jesus?
Biblical ‘knowing’ is also about becoming like the person that you know. When we say that we know Jesus, this is about knowing the gospel story, his attributes… but it’s not true knowledge unless we are becoming like Jesus. John wrote,
‘Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.’ (1 John 4:8)
We may have read about Jesus’ love, but if we are not actually loving people, we don’t know Jesus!
Our text this week says,
‘I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.’ (Philippians 3:10-11)
Knowing leads to likeness - knowing Jesus leads to Christ-likeness. In this text, our likeness to Jesus will be shown in our suffering like Jesus, our death like Jesus and our future resurrection like Jesus. We’ll look at these in detail in another study, but, for now, let’s be assured that knowing leads to likeness.
RESPONSE
Many view Christianity as something that gives them comfort as they live their life; they are pleased that God loves them and will go to heaven when they die, however, it doesn’t really change how they live.
God’s word teaches that if one is not becoming like Jesus, they do not know Jesus! If you are not growing in holiness, you are not a Christian.
Knowing leads to likeness. Take a moment to pray, ‘I want to know Christ…’ remembering that this prayer is also about being transformed into His likeness whatever the cost.
COMMUNITY GROUP STUDY - KNOWING LEADS TO LIKENESS
Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Suggested opener/Ice-breaker
Growing up, who did you most want to be like and why?
Introduction - please share in your group
Knowing leads to likeness. Knowing God will lead to our transformation into the image of God increasingly over time. Paul wrote,
‘I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.’ (Philippians 3:10-11)
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