Glorification | Philippians 3:20-21

Starting in March 2025 Coastline began an eight-week sermon series called: Solid Ground. The series is based on Matthew 7 where Jesus encouraged the listeners to build their home on a firm foundation. For this series we're looking at some of the most important Christian Doctrines. It seemed like a great idea to share the small group questions here incase you'd like to study one of these topics more. 

Small Group Questions | Glorification | Philippians 3:20-21

Today we’re in week six of an eight-week sermon series called: Solid Ground. In Matthew 7 Jesus taught the listeners about the power of building their home on a solid foundation. This series is all about making sure our spiritual life is built on Jesus. Today we come to the doctrine of Glorification which causes us to think about heaven and what happens to our earthly bodies as we transition to our eternal home. Here’s a short definition of Glorification— when God completes His work in us. Making us fully like Jesus; perfect, eternal, and whole. Glorification gives us a hope for heaven but we also know there is suffering on this earth. 

1) Our sermon started with what we learn about heaven from the culture around us; it might be from cartoons or characters of God. When you were growing up what shaped your view of Heaven? How has that changed over time? 

2) Read Philippians 3:20-21. Paul taught the believers in Philippi that they are now citizens of heaven (see Ephesians 2:19, John 17:14-16, and Hebrews 11:13-16). What stands out to you about the idea that our citizenship is in heaven?

3) Paul taught the early church that our future glory changes how we live now. He pointed them to eternal thinking. What’s one area of your life that would look different if you truly lived with eternity in mind? How can begin living this out this week? 

4) Read Romans 8:17-18. We learned that we are adopted as children of God and heirs of God’s Kingdom. That means we have something to look forward to in eternity. How does being a child of God change how you live today? 

5) Paul and other New Testament writers teach us that our suffering plays a part in our hope for Heaven (read Romans 5:3–5, James 1:2–4, and Hebrews 12:10–11). Share with your group a story when you suffered and how it shaped you. 

6) In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 we learned about four contrasting words that help us understand our heavenly bodies. Read this passage and talk about the four contrasting images Paul taught the early church. What do they mean for us?   

7) Jesus’ resurrected body gives us an example of what our resurrected bodies will look like. Read Luke 24:28-32 and John 20:26-27 and 21:4-9. What do these passages teach us about Jesus’ resurrected body? 

Close your time in prayer asking for God to help you understand glorification.