Short Bible Study with me about Philippians 3:13-14
Introduction
Have you ever struggled with letting go of the past and reaching out for the future God planned for you? Do you often find yourself caught up in the memories that try to pull you back? It’s human nature to cling onto what’s familiar; but God, in His infinite wisdom, calls on us to move forward. In this Bible study, we’re going on a soulful journey, focusing on Philippians 3:13-14 – inspiring verses that urge us to leave the past behind and pursue God’s higher call.
Get ready to embrace the grace of God that helps us overcome our past and be motivated to take hold of the blessing that lies ahead. We invite you to discover the transformative power of these verses and how they can influence your walk with God.
Bible Verse
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14 (NASB)
Meaning
These verses were written by Apostle Paul—a man who had his fair share of past regrets and failures. Through God’s grace, Paul learned to forget his past and charted a new path with the renewed vision. The prime highlight in these verses is the “upward call of God in Christ Jesus”. It’s a call to a higher purpose—a divine purpose—rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Paul emphasizes two key actions to move towards this goal. First, “forgetting what lies behind”, which means letting go of past hurts, disappointments, failures, and even past victories. By doing so, we free ourselves of any burdens, making way for God’s grace. Second, “reaching forward to what lies ahead”. This means actively pursuing God’s will and His purpose for our lives.
Actions to Take
- Pray and meditate on God’s Word daily, asking Him to help you let go of the past and focus on the future.
- Identify the areas in your life where you need to let go and move forward. Write them down and bring them to God in prayer.
- Actively cultivate the habit of positive thinking. Start each day with gratitude to God for His gift of life.
- Seek godly counsel and mentorship from someone who can help guide you in your spiritual journey.
- Commit to living intentionally each day, aiming for God’s higher calling and purpose in your life.
Journal Prompts
- What parts of your past are you struggling to let go? How can you surrender them to God?
- What actions will you take to press on towards the upward call of God?
- What does the ‘prize’ mentioned in the verse mean to you?
- How can your past experiences or failures be used to glorify God?
- How does the idea of moving toward God’s purpose change your perspective on life?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to let go of my past and embrace the glorious future You’ve planned for me. I choose to forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead. I desire to run the race You have set before me and win the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Grant me the strength and courage to follow this path, for Your glory. Amen.
Social Posts
- “Let go of your past; Reach for God’s call. Post a picture of the past burden you’re ready to let go with #LetGoMoveForward.”
- “How does the upward call of God inspire you? Share your thoughts with #UpwardCall.”
- “What things are you actively doing to reach forward to what lies ahead? Share your journeys with #ReachingForward.”
- “Are you ready to answer God’s call for your life? Let’s inspire others by sharing a personal testimony using #AnsweringGodsCall.”
- “Aiming for the prize – the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. How do you perceive this prize? Share your views with #AimingForThePrize.”
Conclusion
Living anchored in the past can prevent you from experiencing the abundance God promises in the future. As we close this study, remember that God’s desire for you is to let go of your past and reach forth to His higher calling—a life filled with His presence and direction. Wherever you find yourself in your journey, know that God is with you, offering divine direction and strength to press on.
Continue to join us on these purposeful Bible studies at BGodInspired.com where we explore the richness of God’s word, experience spiritual growth, and receive inspiration to live the life God has destined for us.
Explore and dig up answers yourself with our BGodInspired Bible Tools! Be careful – each interaction is like a new treasure hunt… you can get lost for hours 🙂
Q&A about Philippians 3:13-14
Question: What is Apostle Paul’s attitude towards his past and future as described in Philippians 3:13-14?
Answer: Apostle Paul speaks about forgetting what is behind, not dwelling on his past, and straining toward what is ahead. He expresses his goal to press on toward the prize, which is the heavenly call from God in Christ Jesus.
