Series: Thrive
Sermon: Strength Through Humilty
Passage: Phil 2:1-11

Main Idea: Taking on the mindset of Christ.

Purpose: Introduce topic and get the group talking.

1. Share a time when you witnessed someone doing something that was completely selfless and unexpected.

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

2. Read Philippians 2:1-11 together. Compare and contrast the ideas of “selfish ambition and vain conceit” with the mindset of Christ found in verses 5-8.

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

3. “Value others above yourself” (verse 3) might be literally translated as giving away power/position. Where have you personally seen power/position given away for the greater good? Give specific examples.

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

4. When have I allowed selfish ambition and vain conceit to get into the way of following the mindset of Jesus as seen in verses 5-8? What might be the underlying cause of these tendencies in me?

Purpose: Spend time listening for God’s for direction and guidance as you seek to live out the truths of this passage in your everyday life.

5. Verse 5 (“Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”) literally says, “let this be in you… which is in Christ.” It’s His way of thinking, feeling, behaving, and acting. Spend some time in silence and listen for God to show you anything that needs to shift to be more in line with Him and His way of thinking, feeling, behaving, and acting.

As you listen, spend time before God using the prayer prompts below. Use a journal if helpful. Open your heart to him and ask for him to meet you and speak to you.

– Ask for God’s grace and forgiveness for when you have fallen short in your attitudes and behaviors.
– Ask for God’s help to take on the “mind of Christ”, regardless of your circumstances.
– Ask God about what might need to change in your life in order to be more focused on him.

6. Reflecting on the Philippians passage, how did you sense God meeting you? What is he calling you to?

7. Close by praying that God would show us all where we may need to realign with Him and His way of thinking, feeling, behaving, and acting. Also, spend time in prayer for each other.

Purpose: Introduce topic and get the group talking.

1. Share a time when you witnessed someone doing something that was completely selfless and unexpected.

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

2. Read Philippians 2:1-11 together. Compare and contrast the ideas of “selfish ambition and vain conceit” with the mindset of Christ found in verses 5-8.

Paul uses 2 Greek words to illustrate what should not be a part of the Christian life:

– One is eritheia (selfish ambition) – electioneering or running for office; a desire to put one’s self forward.
Prior to NT times, this word is found only in Aristotle’s writing, where it denotes a self-seeking pursuit of political office by unfair means.
– The other word is kenodoxia (vain conceit) – vain glory, groundless or empty pride.
– Jesus had the right to claim ultimate power and authority but He laid it aside for us. He emptied himself of his divine rights and privileges to become a servant in human form.
– As we take in his mindset and his attitude, there is legitimate loss in what we give up. But, there is a biblical paradox here. Jesus gave everything up to be exalted by God (Phil 2:9). It’s giving up everything in order to get everything (namely, knowing God). It’s having nothing, and possessing everything. Like Jesus said – “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matt. 16:25).

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

3. “Value others above yourself” (verse 3) might be literally translated as giving away power/position. Where have you personally seen power/position given away for the greater good? Give specific examples.

Hegeomai is the Greek word translated “value” in the NIV. It literally means to lead or govern or “be in charge.“ Paul seems to be saying we need to be willing to defer or “let go” of our right to be in charge.

This deferring could be…
– Listening to someone
– Seeking to empower and benefit others
– Humility – believing that we may not know everything
– Willing to learn from others

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

4. When have I allowed selfish ambition and vain conceit to get into the way of following the mindset of Jesus as seen in verses 5-8? What might be the underlying cause of these tendencies in me?

– Many people may not be aware of these underlying causes. Help them process.
– Reminder: We do not take this position of humility because the other person deserves it. Rather, we do this because of Christ’s example – “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Purpose: Spend time listening for God’s direction and guidance as you seek to live out the truths of this passage in your everyday life.

5. Verse 5 (“Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus”) literally says, “let this be in you… which is in Christ.” It’s His way of thinking, feeling, behaving, and acting. Spend some time in silence and listen for God to show you anything that needs to shift to be more in line with Him and His way of thinking, feeling, behaving, and acting.

6. Reflecting on the Philippians passage, how did you sense God meeting you? What is he calling you to?

This is not a time to give advice, but rather, to listen, process together, and encourage.

7. Close by praying that God would show us all where we may need to realign with Him and His way of thinking, feeling, behaving, and acting. Also, spend time in prayer for each other.