📖

Pressing Toward the Goal

Philippians: Joy in All Circumstances

Day 133of 180
Week 27of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand Paul's commitment to pursuing Christ

2

Identify personal goals that honor God

3

Develop resilience in spiritual growth

📖 Scripture Connection

Philippians 3:13-14

“Brothers, I don't count myself to have taken hold of it yet. But one thing I do: forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

— Philippians 3:13-14 (WEB)

Demonstrates Paul's single-minded focus on growing in Christ

📦 Materials Needed

  • Bible (World English Bible)
  • Notebook
  • Colored pencils
  • BibleMouse Joy Journal
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

BibleMouse adventure begins! Recap previous day's lesson about Paul's joy in challenging circumstances

💭 Review Question: How did Paul stay joyful even when things were difficult?
2Teaching (10 min)

Exploring Paul's determination to grow in Christ

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Paul's past doesn't define his future
  • Pressing forward is more important than looking back
  • God has a special purpose for each person
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What goals do you think God might have for you?
  • How can we keep moving forward when things get tough?
3Activity: My Spiritual Goal Race (12 min)
goal discussion

Create a personal goal-setting activity using the BibleMouse Joy Journal

📝 Instructions:
  1. Draw a race track in your journal
  2. Write personal spiritual goals on each track segment
  3. Decorate with encouraging Bible verses
  4. Share goals with a parent or guardian
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Focus on 1-2 simple goals

Challenge: Create a one-year spiritual growth plan

4Closing (3 min)

Reflect on today's BibleMouse lesson

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did Paul want to focus on?
  • How can we press toward God's goals?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, help us to focus on growing closer to You and following Your plan

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about rejoicing in all circumstances

💎 Memory Verse

Philippians 4:13

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

— Philippians 4:13 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Goal Race Game: Create a race track with stepping stones. Each stone represents a step toward a spiritual goal, with the memory verse written on the finish line.

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Paul wrote Philippians while in prison, showing remarkable spiritual resilience

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage honest conversation about personal goals
  • Help child understand that spiritual growth is a journey
  • Use age-appropriate language about pursuing God
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children may find it hard to understand long-term spiritual goals

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Genuine interest in personal spiritual growth

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a prayer map of personal spiritual goals
  • Write a letter to Paul asking about his journey
  • Design a poster about pressing toward God's calling

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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