the form

Water cooler conversation:  

  • What was your biggest win this week? What was your biggest challenge?

  • What’s your favorite Christmas tradition? 

Unpack the Message:

Paul wrote the book of Philippians to express his appreciation and affection for the Philippian believers, many of whom he had led to faith during his first missionary journey. 

In Philippians 2:2-5, we see Jesus revealed as our model in how we as His followers should act and think. Furthermore, because Jesus is fully God and yet fully man, His incarnation also reveals God's mindset (Philippians 2:5-8), demonstrating how God sees us. In verse six, Paul uses the phrase "being in very nature[a] God," emphasizing that Jesus was "morphe," a word with no direct English translation but best translated as a philosophical term meaning "the outward expression of an inner essence." (Bible Tools) It's oxymoronic, but Jesus, who was God incarnate, possessed supernatural humility. At no time did Jesus use His deity for His own gain 

but instead reveals God's mindset toward us as His creation. There is consistency in how God sees us as people He is willing to humble Himself for and die a shameful death on the cross. 

As believers, we too can put the needs of others before ourselves through the empowering and equipping of the Holy Spirit. John 13:35 tells us, ​​" By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Jesus also reveals to us The Victory in Philippians 2:9-11. "The name" in verse 10 illustrates Jesus' authority. When we pray in his "name," we pray that His will be done and that ours aligns with His. John 3:16 promises that "whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This is the ultimate victory—reconciliation with God and eternal life with Him in heaven. No matter what life throws at you, you have The Victory because Jesus has already won. 

  1. Does having the attitude of Christ revolve around us choosing to let go of what is rightfully ours?

  2. Since there was no limit to Christ’s obedience, what does that demand from us in our attitude towards obedience to God?

  3. What could happen if Christians stopped demanding their rights and started obeying God’s will no matter what? 

  4. John 1:1-4 tells us Jesus is “the very nature of God.” What does that mean?

  5. What does Paul mean when he says that Jesus “did not consider equality with God something to be grasped”? What does this tell us about Jesus’ attitude? 

Make a Move: 

What aspects of Jesus’ attitude will you work on this week? Humility? Putting others before yourself? Seeing God glorified through your actions? Surrendering in humble obedience? 

Prayer Prompt: 

Father, I am so thankful that Your son Jesus was willing to lay aside the glory of heaven and humble Himself so that I could be reconciled to You. I understand that if I exalt myself, You will humble me, but if I humble myself, You will lift me up. Help me glorify You with my life and seek ways to put others first. Amen