9/12/2010 Philippians 1:27-2:11
This page includes key slides from the sermon, a link to the sermon podcast, and a large range of questions you can pick from for your small group.
Sermon Scripture References:
Philippians 1:27-2:11
QUESTIONS:
Verses 2:1-4
1.
Paul thanks God with joy for the Philippians because they are his partners in
the gospel (verses 3-5) What are the goals of this partnership (see
1:7,12,27)
How could you act as a partner with other Christians in God's service?
2. Scholars point out that the "if" statements in 2:1 should really be translated "since." Do you feel that you personally have experienced the things described in verse 1 to some degree in your own life? In what way ?
3. In verse 3 Paul calls us to order our lives in a way that flies in the face of conventional wisdom. Summarize Paul's challenge to followers of Christ in your own words - so the rest of us can hear it with new ears.
4. If you took this challenge seriously and tried to follow it everyday of your life, how would it influence one of the following areas:
Your marriage relationship
Your role as a parent
Your impact as a friend
Your witness in the workplace
Some other aspect of your life
5. Look at the desirable attitudes described in 2:2-4. Do you see a way in which one of these attitudes has been growing in your life, or, do you see one where you feel you really do need some growth Which one does not come naturally to you ?
6. What are the implications of the Bible's claim that the same Spirit of God indwells all believers?
7. How would you define or describe in everyday terms what the Bible means by "being like-minded..." ?
8. How can a Christian tell if she or he is being motivated by selfish ambition or conceit ?
9. Why is it so hard to put the needs and interests of others above one's own ?
10. Describe a time or situation where you experienced a clear "pecking order." How did you feel about your place in this order ?
11. What is it like to work for you - or to be under your authority ? How do you treat those who serve under you
RESOURCE: HUMILITY PRAYER http://www.southridgeworship.com/humility_prayer.htm
VERSES 2:5-11
12 What do you learn about who Jesus Christ is in these verses ?
13 Why does it matter whether or not Jesus is God ?
14 Paul holds up Jesus as the perfect example of humble servant hood. What steps of intentional demotion did Jesus take so that HE could love and serve us ?
15 What do you learn about Jesus attitude toward service from this passage?
16 Other scriptures (Colossians 1:19, 2:9, Hebrews 1:3) imply that Jesus remained fully God while on earth. Therefore, of what did Jesus empty himself in becoming human ?
17 Based on your answer above, what might Paul mean by saying that Jesus took the form or nature of a servant in verse 7 ?
18 Look back at 2:1. What encouragement in Christ, comfort from His love, etc. do you find in 2:6-11
19 How would you counter someone who said the right Christian attitude of humility was to view one's self as worthless, or only as a sinner ? How is humility different than self-hatred ? or self-doubt ?
20 If servant hood requires no special training or gifting, why is it so rare?
21 What would the atmosphere be like in a church filled with humble servants ?
22 What is one thing you can do to humble yourself and lift up another person in the coming week ?
23 How can this group pray for you and support you in this service ?
BEAUTIFUL DECLARATION ON CHRIST'S TWO NATURES: http://www.southridgeworship.com/melito_of_sardis.htm
ARGUMENTS FOR THE EARLY CHURCH SEEING JESUS AS DIVINE