Discussion Questions:
1. What is the temptation to look backward instead of forward? Why do we tend to remember things better in the past than they were? How did the Israelites struggle with this?
2. What kinds of things tether you to this world and make it difficult to live as a citizen of heaven? What kinds of things remind you to look up and live as the citizen of heaven you are called to be?
3. Who influences you in good ways to grow in your faith? How do you pass this on to others?
4. What reasons would you give for Moses seeking more of God while the Israelites wanted to go back to Egypt? Why is it important for us to recognize that Moses was eventually influenced by the behavior of the Israelites and eventually lost the right to lead Israel into the Promised Land?
5. Paul emphasizes at the end of this passage in Philippians 3 that there is a transformation from dust to glory. At the same time, he teaches throughout this passage that none of this is by our own power. What is the difference in will power and God’s transformation? How much are you responsible for and how much is by God’s doing? How does this make it all the more important to draw nearer to God?