Philippians 3
“I Have Suffered the Loss of All Things … That I May Win Christ”
What are you willing to sacrifice to follow Jesus Christ and become His disciple? The Apostle Paul gave up much when he chose to follow the Savior, including his influential standing in Jewish society as a Pharisee (see Philippians 3:5). This lesson can help you understand the importance of making sacrifices to come to know Jesus Christ.
Allowing silence. Effective questions can take time to answer. Allow students time to ponder questions. If students don’t answer a question right away, avoid the temptation to end the silence too quickly by answering the question. The time students spend pondering questions can lead to inspiration and deepen testimony.
Student preparation: If possible, invite students to collect accounts from family members or ancestors who made sacrifices to follow Jesus Christ. Encourage them to come prepared to share these experiences with the class.
Possible Learning Activities
What would you give?
Consider using the following account to begin class, or draw upon accounts that students came prepared to share.
Read or watch the following account by President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency about a young man who shared with President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) the sacrifices he was willing to make to become a member of the Church.
Many years ago this conference heard of a young man who found the restored gospel while he was studying in the United States. As this man was about to return to his native land, President Gordon B. Hinckley asked him what would happen to him when he returned home as a Christian. “My family will be disappointed,” the young man answered. “They may cast me out and regard me as dead. As for my future and my career, all opportunity may be foreclosed against me.”“Are you willing to pay so great a price for the gospel?” President Hinckley asked.
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrifice,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 21)
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How do you think the young man responded? Why?
Give students adequate time to respond to the next question. Consider inviting students to quietly ponder and record their answers before sharing them with the class.
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What might motivate a person to give up so much to follow Jesus Christ?
As you study Philippians 3, consider what you have sacrificed for the gospel of Jesus Christ and how you have been blessed for doing so. On the other hand, sacrificing to be closer to the Savior may be an unfamiliar concept to you. Whatever your circumstances, the Savior is anxious to help you progress. Throughout the lesson, pay attention to thoughts and feelings from the Holy Ghost that can help you understand the role that sacrifice should play in your life.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is worth every sacrifice
Recall that prior to Paul’s conversion to Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus (see Acts 9), he was a Pharisee, a person of high religious and social standing among the Jews (see Philippians 3:5). Because he chose to follow Jesus Christ and spend his life preaching the gospel, Paul experienced severe persecution, tribulation, physical pain, and emotional stress (see 2 Corinthians 11:23–28). We read in Philippians 3:7–17 how Paul felt about giving up his former life to follow Jesus Christ and the blessings that came as a result.
Students may need help understanding some of the words in the scripture block. Consider writing the following definitions on the board or be available to help students as they study.
Read Philippians 3:7–14, looking for what Paul was willing to give up to know and follow Jesus Christ. Note that the word conformable in verse 10 means agreeable, the phrase “follow after” in verse 12 means to press forward, and the word apprehend in verse 12 means to obtain.
Consider dividing students into pairs or small groups to complete the following activity. Pay attention to students who may need additional help rewriting passages in their own words.
Choose two passages or phrases from Philippians 3:7–14 and rewrite Paul’s message in your own words. For example, one way to restate the message of Philippians 3:7 is “Things that were important to me before, now mean nothing to me because of Jesus Christ.” When you are finished, answer the following questions.
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What were some of the blessings Paul received because he sacrificed for the Lord?
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What were some of the blessings he was still striving to obtain through his sacrifices?
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What principles can we learn from Paul’s example of sacrifice?
One principle we can learn from Paul’s example is that if we give up all that may be required of us to follow Jesus Christ and press forward in faith, we can come to know Him and obtain eternal life. Consider writing this principle in your scriptures or study journal.
Take a moment to ponder how this principle may relate to you.
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What thoughts, questions, or feelings do you have?
Invite willing students to answer the previous question. If students did not have an opportunity at the beginning of the lesson to share accounts of family members or ancestors sacrificing for the gospel, consider inviting them to do so now.
If students would benefit from learning about additional examples of sacrifice, consider using the ideas under “Examples from the Book of Mormon” and “No Regrets” in the “Supplemental Learning Activities” section of the lesson. Consider sharing a personal experience and testimony as well.
Personal sacrifice
Recall the question posed by President Hinckley at the beginning of the lesson concerning the young man’s willingness to sacrifice so much for the gospel. Read the rest of the account shared by President Dallin H. Oaks.
Tearfully the young man answered, “It’s true, isn’t it?” When that was affirmed, he replied, “Then what else matters?” That is the spirit of sacrifice among many of our new members.
(Dallin H. Oaks, “Sacrifice,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 21)
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What impresses you about this young man?
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How are the Savior’s life, ministry, and Atonement the ultimate example of sacrifice?
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What thoughts or feelings do you have when you ponder what Jesus Christ was willing to sacrifice for you?
Before students complete the following activity, it may be helpful to invite them to consider possible sacrifices they may be asked to make soon and share examples with each other. Students could also list on the board various sacrifices youth make to follow Jesus Christ.
Think about the next five years of your life and write a letter to your future self. Include in your letter the following details:
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Things you may need to sacrifice in the next five years to come to know the Lord better and prepare for eternal life.
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Obstacles you might encounter as you make sacrifices and “press toward … the prize” (Philippians 3:14).
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What you have learned about the importance of sacrifice and the blessings that can come as a result.
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How sacrifice can help you become more like the Savior.
Commentary and Background Information
Philippians 3:14. What did Paul mean when he said, “I press toward the mark”?
Elder Edward Dube of the Seventy taught the following.
To press toward the mark is to faithfully continue on the “strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life” [2 Nephi 31:18] with our Savior and our Father in Heaven. Paul viewed his sufferings as “not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” [Romans 8:18 ; see also 2 Corinthians 1:3–7]. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which he wrote when he was bound in prison, is a letter of overwhelming joy and rejoicing and encouragement to all of us, particularly in this difficult time of uncertainty. …
Interestingly, Paul is exhorting us to press forward while calling us to forget that which is behind—our past fears, our past focus, our past failures, and our past sadness.
(Edward Dube, “Pressing toward the Mark,” Liahona, May 2021, 90, 91)
How can I know what sacrifices I need to make to draw closer to Jesus Christ?
Elder Larry R. Lawrence of the Seventy taught that an ideal time to reverently consider what sacrifices we can make for the Lord is during the ordinance of the sacrament.
In this reverent atmosphere, as our thoughts are turned heavenward, the Lord can gently tell us what we need to work on next. Like you, I have received many messages from the Spirit over the years showing me how I could improve. …
Perhaps the Spirit will tell you that you need to forgive someone. Or you may receive a message to be more selective about the movies you watch or the music you listen to. You may feel impressed to be more honest in your business dealings or more generous in your fast offerings. The possibilities are endless.
(Larry R. Lawrence, “What Lack I Yet?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 34–35)
What are some sacrifices members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints make to follow the Savior?
President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency listed many sacrifices members of the Lord’s restored Church make. You can read his talk “Sacrifice,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 19–22, or watch the video “Sacrifice” (16:30), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Supplemental Learning Activities
After students have responded to the question concerning how the Savior’s life, ministry, and Atonement are the ultimate example of sacrifice, consider examining Philippians 2:6–11 and inviting students to look for what the Savior gave up and what Heavenly Father blessed Him with as a result.
Examples from the Book of Mormon
An example from the Book of Mormon that illustrates the principle of sacrifice is Lehi’s family traveling to the promised land. Recall that Laman and Lemuel murmured and lacked faith in the Lord’s instruction to leave the land of their inheritance (see 1 Nephi 2:11–13). Nephi may have also questioned the command to leave Jerusalem, but he continued to sacrifice by “cry[ing] unto the Lord” (see 1 Nephi 2:16).
Read 1 Nephi 2:16–20 and list or mark blessings that Nephi received because of his obedience and sacrifice.
Students may also benefit from learning about King Lamoni’s father and his willingness to sacrifice all of his sins to know the Lord (see Alma 22:15–23).
“No Regrets”
Consider showing the video “No Regrets” (5:38), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Discuss with students the sacrifice the young man made and the blessings he received as a result. Invite students to think of other modern examples of sacrifice they have witnessed.