7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head. 4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly. 6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me?

Take a moment to read through the passages slowly. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through them.

Is there a word or phrase that God is drawing to your attention? What is He saying to you through these passages?

1) What stood out to you from the Scripture passages and/or this week's message?

2) In what ways is God challenging you and/or encouraging you through the message?

3) What do you value the most in your life?

4) How has your relationship with Christ impacted what you value?

5) What sort of things does our culture look to to determine how much value a person has? In the Kingdom of God, what is it that gives someone their value? How does having a deep sense of our identity in Christ shift the way we establish our sense of self-worth?

6) Reflect on Paul's words in verses 8-9: "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him..." How closely do you identify with this? Do you live as though everything is garbage compared to knowing Christ? Do you believe it but struggle to live it? Do you have difficulty believing this to be true?

7) When do you feel most aware of the importance and value of knowing Christ? When do you tend to get distracted?

8) What is one thing in your life that is getting in the way of your intimacy with Christ? How is God calling you to let go of that or put it into its proper place in your life?