Leader Guide

Objective
Students will learn to realize that God is bigger than just being a part of their life. He wants to be their way of life. Students will learn to put Christ at the center rather than self.

Warm Up
Divide your group into 2 or 4 teams (depending upon size) and your space into 2 halves or 4 quadrants. Use something to mark the sections. Ball up as much old newspaper as you can and toss it into the space. Teams get on their knees in their section. At “Go”, each team works to gather and throw all of their newspaper into another team’s section. At the end of a predetermined amount of time, the team with the least amount of newspaper in their section wins. Play as many rounds as you like.

Transition
Sometimes, life becomes so full of distractions that we don’t realize how much garbage we have allowed to settle in our relationships, schedules, and habits.
We can easily feel overwhelmed and buried underneath it and need to be reminded that God is big enough to clean out the garbage so we can move forward with a better way of living.

The Video
Let’s listen to Wande’s song about choosing to go all in with God and living a better way. Play “Big God” video from Wande.

Transition
Realizing how big God is and deciding to go “all in” is critical for our relationship with Him. However, it can be frustrating to understand what “all in” really looks like and difficult to trust that it is all worth it. Let’s check out what Paul has to say.

Bible Study
Paul describes how he came to realize the things he used to value were a bunch of garbage and that a change in perspective was needed. With this new way of seeing things, he discovered what was most valuable and where his commitment must truly lie.

Read Philippians 3:1-11

• In what things did Paul used to find his value? (Verses 4-6)
• In what things do YOU find your value?

Paul came to a realization that he had built his life around the wrong things. These things were all about his own accomplishments, successes, and his pedigree. Essentially, it was about himSELF.

• What did he discover to be most important to have at the center of his life? (Verses 3-4, 7-9)

When we change the thing we build our lives around from self to Christ, our deepest longings begin to change. Paul’s priority changed from pride in his pedigree to humility in Christ. (Verses 10-11)

That humility allowed his faith in Christ to truly be at the center of his life. We live from that center and when the center changes, everything that comes from it changes. When Paul changed his center to Christ, his longings changed.

Look at Paul’s new desires.

• What do they mean for him? (Verses 10-11)
• To know Christ means -
• To know the power of His resurrection means -
• Fellowship in His sufferings means -
• Becoming like Him in His death means -

Paul’s entire life goal had completely transformed. With his faith focused on Christ rather than himself, he speaks of leaving the past behind and pushing deeper into the new journey he is on.

• Do you share Paul’s passion to know these things about Christ?

Wrap Up

• What are the things you tend to center your life around?
• Do you need to change the patterns of your life and make Christ more than just a part?

Remember that God doesn’t want to just be a part of your life. He is much bigger than that and wants more than that for you. He wants to be your way of life.
Allow for students who want to share the changes they want to make. Close in prayer for these students’ changes and for the needs of others in your group.

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Priorities” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link on the web version of this study.