Philippians 3:15–4:1: Home Group Guide
Sermon: November 8, 2026 · Imitate the Cross Bearers
Before You Meet
Read Philippians 3:15–4:1, then reread 3:7–11 to pick up where last week left off.
Sermon recap. Last week Paul said that if we want to follow Jesus into his glory, we also have to follow him into his sufferings. This week he shows what that looks like:
- Maturity means a “cross before kingdom” mindset. Mature disciples expect hardship for following Jesus, because suffering for a little while now leads to glory forever (3:15–16).
- Imitate the cross bearers. Paul doesn’t ask anyone to do what he hasn’t done. He points to his own example and to Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus. We’re surrounded by people at CLC worth imitating too (3:17).
- Don’t follow the cross avoiders. Some people received the word with joy and then turned back when persecution came. Their end is destruction (3:18–19).
- Wait eagerly and stand firm. Our citizenship is in heaven. Jesus is coming from there to transform our weak, broken bodies to be like his glorious body. Until then we wait patiently, the way God’s people always have, and stand firm (3:20–4:1).
Memory verse: Philippians 3:20–21. “Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of his glorious body.”
Discussion Questions
1. A “Cross Before Kingdom” Mindset
Read Philippians 3:15–16 and James 1:2–4.
Paul says the mature think this way: suffering before glory, the cross before the kingdom. James says trials produce endurance, and endurance makes us mature. Mature disciples aren’t shocked when following Jesus gets hard. They expected it.
- Why do you think so many Christians are surprised when following Jesus costs them something?
- Think of a hard season in your life. Did it make you more mature in your faith, or did it pull you away? What made the difference?
- What would it look like to face a trial this week with a “bring it on” mindset instead of a “why me” mindset?
2. Who Are You Imitating?
Read Philippians 3:17; 2:5–8; 2:19–22, 29–30.
Paul says, “Join in imitating me.” He never asks them to do something he hasn’t done himself. He also points to other examples: Jesus, Timothy, and Epaphroditus, all of whom embraced hardship for the sake of others.
- Who has been a living example of following Jesus for you? What did you learn from watching them that you couldn’t have learned from a sermon or a book?
- Who in our church do you see living out generosity, servanthood, or faithfulness through grief? Have you ever told them?
- Students: You’re already imitating somebody, whether that’s influencers, friends, or the popular kids. Who are you copying? And who younger than you might be watching you?
3. Enemies of the Cross
Read Philippians 3:18–19; Matthew 13:20–21; Luke 9:23–26.
Paul says “with tears” that many live as enemies of the cross. They received the word with joy, but when persecution came they found a way out. Jesus warned about exactly this: “Whoever wants to save his life will lose it.”
- Why does Paul weep over these people instead of just condemning them? What does that tell you about his heart?
- What does it look like today to be “ashamed of Jesus and his words” in order to keep your status, friends, or comfort?
- Where are you most tempted to avoid the cross: at work, at school, with family, online?
4. Citizens of Heaven, Waiting for a Savior
Read Philippians 3:20–21 and Romans 8:23–25.
Philippi was proud of its Roman citizenship. Paul says our citizenship, our ultimate loyalty, is in heaven, and that’s where Jesus is right now, seated at the Father’s right hand. One day he’s coming back to transform our weak, aging, broken bodies to be like his glorious body.
- What does it mean, practically, for your ultimate loyalty to be in heaven instead of in your country, your town, or your social circle?
- Paul promises a bodily transformation. Why does it matter that our hope is a real, physical resurrection and not just “going to heaven when we die”?
- Who in your life is suffering in their body right now? How could the promise of 3:21 encourage them?
5. Patient Waiting, Standing Firm
Read Isaiah 25:8–9; Psalm 37:7, 34; James 5:7–8; Philippians 4:1.
God’s people have always been a waiting people. Isaiah pictures the day God swallows up death and his people say, “This is our God; we have waited for him.” James says to be patient like a farmer waiting for rain. And Paul closes with: “In this manner stand firm in the Lord.”
- Is waiting hard for you? What do you tend to do when God’s timing doesn’t match yours?
- Paul’s strategy for helping people stand firm is to point them to the return of Jesus and the resurrection. Why is that so effective? Does thinking about Jesus’ return strengthen you?
- What would it look like for you, this week, to “strengthen your heart, because the Lord’s coming is near” (Jas 5:8)?
Pray Together
- Give thanks by name for the cross-bearing examples God has given you in this church.
- Pray for courage for anyone tempted to take a way out to avoid the cost of following Jesus.
- Pray for those suffering in their bodies. Ask God to strengthen them with the hope of the resurrection (3:21).
- Close with the church’s oldest prayer: “Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!” (1 Cor 16:22; Rev 22:20)
