J-Curve Classes, Chapter 26: Delaying the Resurrection for Love

Class Description: Session 26, Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Delaying the Resurrection for Love: Saying no to good desire

Sometimes resurrections don’t belong to us, but to the people for whom we’re enduring. We have to look outside ourselves to recognize new life taking shape.

*** We are currently unable to produce video from this session due to technical difficulties.

Class Notes:

P 205 Philippians 1:21-23

21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;

1. It’s not that the apostle actually has the ability to choose one of these resurrections for himself, but he’s wrestling with them. Do you recognize the two options here? What are the competing resurrections?

2. P 206 Like Jesus, Paul doesn’t grasp at his right to be with the Father. He leaves heaven behind. He substitutes his joy at the prospect of being with Jesus for the needs of the churches. Look at the chart on pp 206-7. Do you remember the steps of love from several chapters ago?

a. How are we identified with Christ as we reenact this process?

b. Why are steps 1 and 2 so inextricably linked, and how do we go about step 1? What does that actually look like?

c. In what way does step 3 transform suffering?

d. Can step 4 become light and momentary? How?

3. (R)emaining alive is death for Paul, while death by execution is life. Paul is dying to die! His love for Jesus-for the person-colors Paul’s life goals. Jesus’s enthronement, his physical presence in heaven, is as real for Paul as the book you are holding. He longs ‘to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.’ .... IN this battle between the two great loves of Paul’s life, the church wins: 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, (Phil. 1:24-25).... Love shapes the dying side of the J curve; it also shapes the rising side.

a. Do you recognize Paul looking for resurrection here? He’s scanning the horizon looking for it. Interesting, he doesn’t just look for it in himself! Remember PM when he took Kim to Florida. Where was he looking for resurrection?

4. P 208 But Paul, who made an actual journey to heaven, shapes his decision-making on the model of Jesus’s death. Dying with Christ for the sake of love trumps his own desires and provides a map out of the maze of his personal feelings.

a. Why is this map so important? What inevitably happens without it?

b. Who shapes our resurrections?

5. P 209 Notice that Paul sees option 2 (doing something for himself) as a legitimate choice. Caring for his own desires is not wrong. We can tell that because he agonizes over this decision.

a. Let’s wrestle with that statement a bit. Agree / disagree - why?

6. Pp 210-11 Let’s work through both lists - my resurrection/your resurrection. I think these lists will help us identify the kinds of things we’re looking for as we lift our eyes to the horizon.