Join Me, Watch, and Stand Firm

Community Group Questions:

Engage Yourselves:

In v. 19 it talks about “earthly things”. What are the “earthly things” that tempt you most? Why do you think that is, and what steps are you taking to fight against that temptation?

Engage the Text:

Paul uses the same word in v. 20 as he does in 1:27. In what way might that shape our understanding of “awaiting our Savior”? Look at the passage in chapter 2 as well, which provides us with a model of what that heavenly citizenship ought to look like.

Paul commands his leaders to “watch” or “keep your eyes on” and later on to “stand firm”. Why do you think Paul is so often instructing Christians in this way?

Engage your Neighbor:

There is certainly a moral standard to which Christians should strive for, but heavenly citizenship is also something that informs how we relate to the world around us. In what ways could you allow your heavenly citizenship to inform the way you engage your neighbors? How can you demonstrate the story of Jesus to a watching world?