Paul's Passionate Pursuit (Philippians 3:7-14)

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14). [Paul's persistent, passionate pursuit for the priceless prize.]

• Explain: "The goal is God Himself, not joy, nor peace, nor even blessing, but Himself, my God. To know Him, to serve Him, to be like Him—that is the prize of the upward call." A.W. Tozer.

1. What were Paul's "gains" (Phil 3:7) before becoming a Christian (Phil 3:4-6)? 
• What are your "gains," credentials, achievements, abilities? 
• Should you renounce and relinquish them as "garbage" [refuse, dung] (Phil 3:8b)? Why (Jer 9:23; 1 Jn 5:21; Jn 21:15)?
  
• What is most valuable to you (Phil 3:8; Mt 13:44-46)?
2. What is your righteousness (Phil 3:9)?
• How is it attained (Gen 15:6; Eph 2:8-9)?
• Is there a problem with your own righteousness (Isa 64:6; Mt 5:48)?
3. 
   Like Paul, do you ultimately want to know Christ (Phil 3:10a)? 
• How do you "know Christ" (Exo 33:13, 18; Ps 27:4; 119:97; Mt 7:7; 16:17)?
• What is the difference between "knowing Christ [God]" and "knowing about Christ [God]"?
• Is suffering and dying necessary (Phil 3:10b)? Why (Job 5:7; Ps 34:18; Rom 8:17; 2 Cor 4:17; 2 Tim 3:12; 1 Pet 2:21; 4:12-13)?
• How do you attain to "the resurrection from the dead" (Phil 3:11; 2 Cor 5:17; Mt 6:33)? Is this your ultimate hope?
4. Why is an ongoing present passionate pursuit of a future prize [press on, strain] necessary for a Christian (Phil 3:12-14)? How (1 Cor 9:25-27; Phil 2:12-13)?
• Why must you forget "what is behind" (Phil 3:13; Gen 19:26; Lk 9:62)?
• What is the goal and the prize (Phil 3:14; 2 Tim 4:7-8)?
• How should you live daily with such an attitude (Gal 2:20)?