How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the video and read this week's materials
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
How To Use This Guide:
listen
Listen to the weekly sermon and read through the main passage(s)
reflect
Prayerfully answer the questions below
discuss
Meet with your group to discuss
respond
Apply the truth of God’s word to your life
latest sermon
background
The world tells us happiness comes through self-promotion and recognition from others. Paul presents a different path. He calls believers to reject selfishness, esteem others, and adopt the mindset of Jesus. Though Christ deserved all praise and recognition, he humbled himself by taking human form and dying on a cross for our sin. Because of his obedience, God exalted Him.
His humility provides both the pattern and the power for obedience. As God works within his people, we are to work out their salvation by faithfully submitting to Christ. Believers who persevere in unity and humility shine like lights in a dark world. True joy is found not in exalting ourselves but in humbly obeying Christ and trusting God for the final reward.
His humility provides both the pattern and the power for obedience. As God works within his people, we are to work out their salvation by faithfully submitting to Christ. Believers who persevere in unity and humility shine like lights in a dark world. True joy is found not in exalting ourselves but in humbly obeying Christ and trusting God for the final reward.
OPEN
1. Who is someone you see as truly humble? What is it about their humility that stands out to you?
reflect
2. Read Philippians 2:1-4. Based on this passage, what attitudes and behaviors should characterize Christian community? In what ways do these characteristics challenge the cultural norms of Paul’s time (and ours)?
3. Read Philippians 2:5-11. In what ways did Jesus humble himself? What does this reveal about genuine humility?
4. Read Philippians 2:12-18. In verses 12–13, how does Paul make it clear that he is not talking about working to receive salvation? How are our obedience and God’s work within us connected?
3. Read Philippians 2:5-11. In what ways did Jesus humble himself? What does this reveal about genuine humility?
4. Read Philippians 2:12-18. In verses 12–13, how does Paul make it clear that he is not talking about working to receive salvation? How are our obedience and God’s work within us connected?
apply
5. What are some practical ways you can consider others more important than yourself? How can you look after someone else’s best interests this week? Consider people you wouldn't typically do this for, instead of immediate family, close friends, etc.
6. When Paul says to work out your salvation “with fear and trembling,” he means approaching it with complete seriousness. How might adopting this attitude influence your daily life and routine? What are some specific actions or attitudes you need to change?
7. How can you practically “shine as a light” in your community, school, or workplace? What specific steps can you take to reflect the character of Christ in these environments?
6. When Paul says to work out your salvation “with fear and trembling,” he means approaching it with complete seriousness. How might adopting this attitude influence your daily life and routine? What are some specific actions or attitudes you need to change?
7. How can you practically “shine as a light” in your community, school, or workplace? What specific steps can you take to reflect the character of Christ in these environments?
resources
Article: “Only the Greatest Humility Accepts the Lowest Place” by Jason C. Meyer
Article: “What True Humility Is and Is Not” by Gavin Ortlund
Article: “How to Have the Mind of Christ” by Sinclair B. Ferguson
Article: “What True Humility Is and Is Not” by Gavin Ortlund
Article: “How to Have the Mind of Christ” by Sinclair B. Ferguson
Home Groups will resume August 23. If you are interested in joining a group, fill out the interest form below or contact Doug Barnwell at dbarnwell@fellowshipjackson.com.
We ask every Home Group participant to commit to the Four Essentials of a Healthy Group outlined in our Home Group Commitment. These essentials help ensure that every group stays healthy, welcoming, and spiritually meaningful for everyone involved. You can review those here.