Devotion: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone, as a couple, as a family; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.
Loving God,
open my heart and mind to know Jesus Christ more deeply,
that I may press on to the goal of being a faithful disciple,
trusting always in your promise of resurrection.
Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verses from Sunday’s reading.
“…but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13b–14, NRSV

Study: Study the reading and consider the background.
Paul writes to the Church in Philippi while he is in prison. Paul was imprisoned many times for sharing the Gospel; we do not know during which imprisonment, in which city Paul writes this letter. Paul writes to encourage the Christians in Philippi, in Northern Greece, to keep the faith in the midst of persecution, quarrels within the community, and the many distractions of life. In our passage for today, Paul acknowledges that he has lot much by being obedient to God’s call. But he has gained—and will gain—so much more. He encourages the Philippian Christians to focus on Christ, and to let go of those things which distract them from Christ’s call.

Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading, ask the follow-up questions.

Read more about staying focused on the goal.

Sunday, The Sufferings of this Present time Romans 8:18–25

Monday, Knowing Only Christ 1 Corinthians 2:1–5

Tuesday, We Have Become Like Rubbish 1 Corinthians 4:9–13

Wednesday, Boasting in Weakness 2 Corinthians 11:23–30

Thursday, Praying to Know Christ Ephesians 1:15–19

Friday, Another Prayer> Ephesians 3:14–19

Saturday, Running the Race with Perseverance Hebrews 12:1–3

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

• What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
• Do you pursue a sport? What kind of commitment does it take? How is your commitment to Jesus similar?
• What distracts you from the goal of following Jesus?

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.
Consider your calendar or schedule for the coming week. Choose to let one commitment go, and use that time in prayer, Bible study or contemplation, seeking to know Jesus better.

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.
God of life, thank you for raising Jesus from the dead. Help us to live as your resurrection people. Amen.
Adapted (significantly), from material which is Copyright © 2014 Clergy Stuff. Used and adapted with Permission. Find more at www.ClergyStuff.com.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.