SESSION FOLLOW WITH JOY THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE The world equates joy and happiness with having our needs and desires met. Reality shows us, though, that having all our desires met does not necessarily bring us joy or make us any happier. Joy comes when we turn from pleasing ourselves and turn to living humbly before God, placing the needs of others before our own. When we follow the example of Jesus in humility, we experience joy. THE POINT We were made to live in love and humility like Christ. THE PASSAGE Philippians :1-11 THE SETTING Although writing from Rome while under house arrest, Paul found joy in humbly following God s plan for his life. Even while enduring confinement and uncertainty, chained to a Roman guard, Paul placed the needs of the Philippians before his own. He wrote to them of the spiritual blessings we share as believers in Christ, exhorting them to turn from pleasing themselves and follow the example of Jesus in humility and obedience. 11 SESSION WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? Philippians :1-11 1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. For free online training on how to lead a group visit MinistryGrid.com/web/ BibleStudiesForLife For free Midweek Options for your group, visit lifeway.com/bsflwin17spoken
PREPARE LEADER LIVE IT OUT Grow in Humility Philippians :1-11 No one is perfect. We are all in the process of becoming more like Christ as the Holy Spirit works in our hearts. Our sin and pride often tell us to be discouraged as we cannot fulfill these commands perfectly, but the voice of Christ calls us to humility and patience as He reveals areas in which to grow. Read Philippians :1-11 once more before completing the Culture section at the end of Session. Look through the word bank and circle the top two aspects of Christ s humility that you most need to show in your life. How can you show the humility of Christ to your group this week? We rarely think about it, but when we show humility to the students we lead, it creates opportunities to invest in their lives. Y Pray for God to show you ways to model Christ s humility to your group this week as you prepare by completing the Culture section at the end of Session. 1 Prepare: While you prepare for this session, it is critical to allow the truth of Scripture to challenge your heart. God works in our hearts as we teach others His Word. ONE CONVERSATION Scripture: Philippians :1-11 Topic: Follow with Joy THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: The world equates joy and happiness with having our needs and desires met. Reality shows us, though, that having all our desires met does not necessarily bring us joy or make us any happier. Joy comes when we turn from pleasing ourselves and turn to living humbly before God, placing the needs of others before our own. When we follow the example of Jesus in humility, we experience joy. THE POINT: We were made to live in love and humility like Christ. What annoys you the most? Why is unity so important for your group and the church? How would you describe the relationship between humility and unity? Who in your life best lives out this example of Jesus? Discuss the following quote: Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion. It is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ. 1 Billy Graham 1. Billy Graham, A Daily Process, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association [online], October 015, [accessed 1 May 016]. Available from the Internet: http://billygraham.org/devotion/a-daily-process/. LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to take practical steps to take his or her faith and Live It Out in the Personal Study Guide. Here are some ways you can encourage your students to live out their faith with Christ personally, in community, and in their culture: CHRIST: Pray with you student this week and help him or her to intentionally serve others. COMMUNITY: Help your student work on memorizing this week s passage: Philippians :5-11. Keep the Scripture where you can see it throughout the week and quiz your student to help with memorization. CULTURE: Spend time with your student talking about humility this week and how our lives should reflect the humility we see in Christ. Follow Up: Don t forget to text a picture of the One Conversation section to parents or post it on Facebook and tag them after the session. This will equip them for further family discussion. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 11
ENGAGE (15 MINUTES) THE POINT WE WERE MADE TO LIVE IN LOVE AND HUMILITY LIKE CHRIST. 1 Engage: Begin the session with one or more of the Engage Options on the next page (optional). Discuss: Ask students, What annoys you the most? Guide: Call attention to The Point. Keep coming back to it throughout the session. 4 Read: Summarize the Bible Meets Life for your group. 5 Pray: Transition into the session by praying for each student in your group. Pray that Christ works in their lives to show them what truly loving and living in humility are. 114 SESSION
ENGAGE OPTIONS LEAD WITH ACTION Don t set up your room this week. Leave chairs and tables off to the side. When your students come in, let them simply wander and get uncomfortable trying to find somewhere to sit. After a couple of minutes, say, We can easily take for granted the impact other s have on our lives when they serve us. Today, we are going to see how Christ s humility and service has impacted us and equips us to impact others. LEAD WITH ATMOSPHERE Illustrate Jesus being the ultimate example of humility. Have both a towel and a basin of water prepared as a visual for your students to see as you discuss Philippians today. At some point in the session, say, Even though Jesus was the most powerful person in the room, he took the lowest position; he took the lowest seat, and he washed the feet of the disciples. Even the disciple who would eventually betray him. LEAD WITH MEDIA Search the Internet for Jesus Wash Disciples Feet.avi. Begin the video at 0:0 seconds and continue watching the clip until :05. It s always a great idea to let students actually see what Jesus humility looked like. He came to serve us ultimately by giving His life for us, and lived a life characterized by humility. Say, What would our world look like if we decided to pursue a life of humility? NOTE: Always make sure you preview any video clip you show students and ensure that it is appropriate for your church and ministry. LEADER PACK ELEMENTS If you have the optional Leader Pack, consider one of the following: DVD: Play the Unit Session DVD opener to introduce the session and get everyone on the same page. Item 10: Use the Philippians :5-11 Poster to help students determine ways we can serve others with joy. SECOND OPTION If you know your group well enough, prepare a towel, basin, and water pitcher. Explain to students how Jesus washed the disciples feet just like a servant would, so that He could show them how we are called to live humbly and serve one another. Take time to wash your students feet. Say, Serving one another in humility means placing others above yourself. Jesus taught us what it looks like to have a life of joy and humility. FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS Tell your students that you are going to have a Humblebrag competition. A humble brag is when you subtly let others know how fantastic your life is while undercutting it with a bit of selfeffacing humor. For example, Uggggh, I just ate about fifteen pieces of chocolate. I gotta learn to control myself when flying first class or they ll cancel my modeling contract. LOL #humblebrag. Let the group vote on who has the funniest humblebrag, and give that student a prize. Say, What would our world look like if we decided to pursue a life of humility instead of focusing on ourselves? BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 115
1 IMPART (10 MINUTES) THE POINT WE WERE MADE TO LIVE IN LOVE AND HUMILITY LIKE CHRIST. Read: Invite a student to read the passage aloud. Summarize: Explain this section for your group. Read: Enlist a few volunteers to read the following section 4 5 Discuss: Lead your students to discuss our need for unity. Read: Ask a volunteer to read the paragraph. 6 Do: Direct students to reflect on what challenges your unity and how you can overcome it. 116 SESSION
COMMENTARY PHILIPPIANS :1- So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. PHILIPPIANS :1- Follow with love and purpose. In chapter 1 Paul spoke of his joy in his relationship with Christ and in his relationships with other believers. In chapter, Paul explained how joy comes through humility in both of those relationships. Verses 1-4 form one long sentence in Greek, with one basic command: fulfill my joy. The four if statements of verse 1 (in both Greek and English) do not express doubt. They could be translated assuming these things are so or because these things are so. They are rhetorical, assuming of course there is. All four statements introduce the command of verse. Verse 1. Our oneness in Christ is found in the four attributes of verse 1. Encouragement (solace, comfort, consolation, exhortation) is said to be in Christ, or from belonging to, or being united with Christ. It is a benefit of our relationship with Him. Consolation (concrete or definite comfort, coming alongside to stimulate) comes from the divine love of Christ. Paul considered Christ the source of all consolation or comfort. Love is the Greek agape, the supreme, selfless love demonstrated perfectly by the sacrifice of Christ. Fellowship (common interest and/or mutual participation) is communion together of believers flowing from joint participation in the benefits Tip: This is a great opportunity to help your students find the unity that God has given us through the gospel. Even though we all have differences and may disagree, we are all working toward the same goal. of and workings of the Spirit. Affection and mercy are those shown by the Lord to us. These phrases illustrate the common experience of grace shared by the church. These blessings from Christ form the basis of Christian unity, and such unity produces joy. Verse. Being united in Christ, believers are to work together for the same purposes or goals rather than allowing themselves to be divided by disagreement and division. This unity results in practical responses believers demonstrate toward one another as Paul outlined in verse. Such unity would fulfill Paul s joy. His life s work was amounting to something in the kingdom of God and in the lives of people; the evidence would be the unity Paul described. Thinking the same way speaks to the believer s intellect as well as the will and emotions. This one central unifying characteristic is further developed by three measurements. Having the same love is a unity of affection provided by the sacrificial love of Christ being shed abroad in our hearts (see Rom. 5:5; 1 Cor. 1:10). This would mean loving the same noble things and loving each other as Christ loves us. Sharing the same feelings is more literally, likesouled, or soul with soul, and is only used here in the New Testament. It suggests the sharing of a basic principle of life or living as if the many were acting as one. Tip: If you get I don t know as a response to a discussion question, try to share your own answer and have students respond to drive discussion. This unity comes from believers having the same values and loves, and emanates from the core of one s being, transformed by Christ. Indeed this was the crux of Christ s fervent high priestly prayer addressed to the Father before His passion, when He essentially asked that believers would be one as He and the Father are one. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 117
IMPART (10 MINUTES) THE POINT WE WERE MADE TO LIVE IN LOVE AND HUMILITY LIKE CHRIST. 1 Read: Invite a student to read the passage. Read: Guide a volunteer to read the following section. 4 5 Engage: Remind students their social media can provide opportunities to share their faith. Engage: Spend a moment focusing on what seeking Christ over ourselves looks like. Help students fill in the blanks after looking up each passage. Discuss: Ask your students this question to summarize what they have just learned. Christ's glory and sacrifice God s Word Prayer Serving 118 SESSION
COMMENTARY PHILIPPIANS :-4 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. PHILIPPIANS :-4 How can the perfect unity of heart, mind, love, and purpose be realized? It is only through humility. Humility can be aptly defined as strength under control. Consider the example of a horse and rider. A horse outweighs its rider by a wide margin. We measure strength in horsepower, not manpower, for good reason. Yet, this mighty beast is guided and controlled by a small tug on the reins, a verbal command, or even a click of the tongue. That is strength under control. No one who understands the person and might of Jesus Christ would ever label Him as weak, yet He is the ultimate example of humility strength under control. Paul finished with a verbal illustration of humility at work in human relationships. Verse. In negative reinforcement of the principles set forth in verses 1, Paul urging the Philippian believers to do nothing out of rivalry (factious contention) or conceit (empty glorying, empty pride), the opposite of the selfless love of Christ (John 1:4 5). We are not to formulate any plan that is to be carried out in this way. The command prohibits all attempts to promote ourselves over others by physical strength, intellectual superiority, manipulative scheming, or angry indulgence out of ambition or rivalry. We are not to do anything to try to impress others with displays of superior talent, courage, or zeal. Serving no matter who notices develops humility when we live for Jesus and not man s approval. #FullerLife Among first-century secular writers, humility (lowliness, humiliation of mind, modesty) was equal to groveling. It described the mentality of a slave, conveying ideas of being unfit, base, shabby, and of little or no worth. Only in the New Testament with the example of Christ did the word find a new nobility of meaning and become a virtue to be sought. Humility is not putting ourselves down, but rather lifting others up. It is this humility that will consider (reckon, count, value) others to be more important than ourselves. Verse 4. Paul further amplified these thoughts by urging his readers to look out for the interests of others and not just their own. We are to be aware and seek to find ways to help others even when they fail to see they need that help. Christ s humility, reflected in the following verses, becomes our guide for valuing others and weighing our actions toward them. Humility starts by accurately evaluating oneself in light of one s relation to Christ, and seeing the image of God in others. Following Christ in humility means we will be concerned with and take correct action pertaining to the physical and spiritual needs of others. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 119
1 Do: Allow students time to finish the optional Action Point (p. 104) in the PSG. Read: Ask a student to read the passage for the group. IMPART (10 MINUTES) THE POINT WE WERE MADE TO LIVE IN LOVE AND HUMILITY LIKE CHRIST. Summarize: Explain this section for your students. 4 Discuss: Review the question with your students. 5 Read: Have your students read this section aloud. 6 Do: Direct students to complete the Action Point. Discuss your answers as a group. 10 SESSION
COMMENTARY PHILIPPIANS :5-11 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. PHILIPPIANS 5-11 Verse 5. Follow the example of Jesus. A literal rendering of this verse would be think this in you which Christ thought in Him. Attitude references verses 4 and will be vividly and memorably illustrated in the description of Christ s incarnation. Jesus submissive attitude led to His redemptive actions. Verse 6. Existing in the form of God is perfect tense, indicating a permanent and continuing existing, and declaring Jesus eternality. Equality with God emphasizes His co-participation in the Trinity in the expression of divine essence. Yet Christ s humility was such He did not cling to His essence and equality with God as a means of escaping His redemptive purpose. It was not something to be used for His own advantage, not a prize to be clutched, but an offering to be freely surrendered. This is the essence of humility. Verse 7. The hymn focus shifts from attitude to actions. In perfect expression of His humility, Jesus emptied Himself. That is, He became a human being. He voluntarily made His position, rank, and privilege of no effect while on earth. And not just any human Jesus took upon Himself the form of a slave. The verb tense signifies entrance into a new state, the likeness of men, or humanity. He existed originally in the form of God, but He added humanity to deity. Verse 8. The act of self-emptying (v. 7) was accompanied by the act of self-humbling. Having already stepped out of glory to reside among the most rebellious of all God s earthly creations, Jesus further humbled Himself by submitting to complete obedience to the point of death (see Heb. 10:5-1). Even death did not cause Jesus to stop His obedience to the Father. The Jews believed death on a cross was a sign the victim was cursed of God (Gal. :1). This expresses the climax of His obedience. Verse 9. For this reason ties the preceding acts of humility to the consequential actions of God the Father. Jesus has been highly exalted by the authority of the Father. He returned to the high heavenly state He possessed before, but He returned as God and man, who now identifies intimately with His fellow men and becomes our advocate and representative. Verses 10-11. Everyone will acknowledge Jesus position in the universe. To bow the knee is the position of submission. To confess is the verbal disclosure of submission. Lord best expresses the unique name of authority and power given to Jesus. Lord speaks to character and function. Jesus will become the focus of adoration when every knee will bow to Him. The scene combines the worship of those who believe in Him with the acknowledgment of His power and authority by those He has defeated. All creation will give assent to God s divine plan and its perfect execution by Christ. It is only when we turn from following our own desires and turn to fully submitting to and following Him that we find real, lasting joy. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 11
IMPACT (10 MINUTES) THE POINT WE WERE MADE TO LIVE IN LOVE AND HUMILITY LIKE CHRIST. 1 Discuss: Read and discuss the quote with students. Guide: The Christ portion of the Live It Out section encourages students to dig deeply into God s Word. Remember the Bible Reading Plan provides students with a custom reading plan to stay in God s Word and follows along with each session. Guide: As you guide your students through the Community section, remember to emphasize how helpful it can be have an accountability partner to help memorize Scripture. 1 SESSION
IMPACT 4 Guide: The Culture section equips students to apply this session to their lives every week. Help your students see themselves and others through the lens of God s Word to develop a lifestyle of investing in others for the gospel. 5 Pray: Close in prayer asking God to open the eyes of each one of your students in the coming weeks. Ask God that they would represent Christ with their lives as they live out their faith. 6 Follow Up: This week connect with your students by texting them each morning to let them know you are praying for them. If they have prayer requests, make sure to let them know you haven t forgotten them. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 1