Philippians
Sermon Discussion Guide - Press On
November 15, 2026 ·
Print Leader’s CopyFollow along and jot your prep notes beside every question.Big Idea
You cannot run forward while staring backward.
Recap
Paul writes to the church at Philippi from a Roman jail, ten years after he helped start it. He has just finished saying that everything he once counted as an advantage he now counts as loss compared with knowing Christ. In Philippians 3:12–4:1 he turns from his past to the race still in front of him. He has not arrived, so he keeps reaching forward. He follows the example of others who are running, watches out for people who would pull him off course, and keeps his eyes on the home he is waiting for.
Looking Back
Use this time over the meal or at the beginning of the meeting as people catch up. Follow up on the action steps people shared last week, with encouragement and care.
Care
What is one thing that went well for you this week?
Accountability
Last week we talked about the things we lean on to feel worthy. What step did you take this week?
Who has a story about how that went, even a small one?
If your group did not set a step last week, share one moment this week when you noticed God at work in you.
Looking Up
Invite the Holy Spirit
Before anyone opens a Bible, invite the Holy Spirit to come, be present, and lead. Have someone other than the group leader pray. We want hearts to be expectant of hearing from the Lord.
Setting the Scene (read this to the group before you read the passage)
Paul is writing from house arrest in Rome, roughly ten years after he first preached in Philippi. Philippi was a Roman colony, and the people there were proud of their Roman citizenship. In the verses just before this, Paul listed his religious credentials, then said he counts all of it as loss compared with knowing Christ. Now he turns from his past to the race still ahead of him.
Now read Philippians 3:12–4:1 aloud together twice, slowly. The first time, just listen. The second time, ask everyone to notice the one word, phrase, or verse that stands out to them. Consider reading in different translations.
Highlight
What stands out?
Which word or verse stood out to you? Say it out loud, then tell us why it caught your attention.
Leader note: This question often carries the whole meeting. Let it run, and do not rush to the next section.
Explain
What does it mean?
In verses 12 and 13, what does Paul say he has not yet done?
In verses 13 and 14, what does Paul say he does instead, and what is he reaching for?
In verses 15 through 17, what does Paul tell the church to do with the example he and others have given them?
In verses 18 and 19, how does Paul describe the people he is warning them about, and how does he say it?
In verses 20 and 21, where does Paul say our citizenship is, and what are we waiting for?
Apply
What does it mean for me right now?
Give everyone a moment to think before anyone answers. Anyone is welcome to pass.
What are you still carrying from your past that makes it hard to move forward? A failure, or even an old win you keep going back to?
Who are the people in your life whose walk with Jesus you could actually copy? Name one or two.
Who or what are you chasing right now that is pulling you away from Christ?
Respond
What do I say back to God right now?
Take some time in the quiet before anyone speaks.
What is one honest thing you want to say back to God tonight about what you are still carrying?
Additional passages: Luke 9:62; Hebrews 12:1–2.
Looking Ahead
Training
Hand out paper, or invite everyone to open a note on their phone. Ask each person to write down privately the one weight they named in Apply and one small step they could take this week. Nobody has to read theirs out loud.
Setting Goals
Invite each person, if they are ready, to write one step they can take before the group meets again, in their own words. Nobody has to share it. If a full step feels too heavy, choose a smaller first step. Put it somewhere you will see it again, and know that it is fine to be at the beginning.
Example: This week I will talk to one person I trust about the thing I have been carrying since last year.
Pray together
Share only as much as you are comfortable saying aloud.
Confess where you have let the past set the direction of your life.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you take the step you wrote down.
Pray for someone in the group who is carrying something heavy this week.
Leaders, keep praying for your group by name this week, and follow up privately with anyone who got quiet.
**If your group has not already planned on doing a service project together for this semester, please allow time at the end of the group to make a plan.