Date: October 6-7, 2012
Series: Love Without Walls
Message: Status Update
Passage: Philippians 2:1-11
INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES
When was a time you experienced excellent service from someone? Poor service?
Leader note: Keep this to pretty short answers. Have people think about restaurants, shopping, airlines, DMV experiences, etc. It would be fun to talk about both the good and the bad. But don’t go too far on the bad side. Ask what made the good service good.
OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES
Read Philippians 2:6-11. What is Jesus like?
Leader note: Notice that you are starting with verse 6, you will look at verses 1-5 in a few minutes. But for right now just look at 6-11 to answer this question.
Leader note: As your group answers by observing the text, ask them to put it in their own words. For instance if they say He is like God – ask, “what does that mean?” That will bring out answers of how He is powerful, etc. and get your group to think past their preconceived ideas and will help you take them deeper in the discussion.
Commentary:
He has position of power/nature of God
Does not use it to his own advantage – self-limiting, gave up diving privileges even though He didn’t stop being God – surrendered his status/rights
Became human – like us, relational-knowable, vulnerable
Humbled himself – not served but a servant – humble servant
Became obedient unto death…on a cross (ask why the cross? – criminal’s death, he took on sin, violent death – satisfies justice) – sacrificial
God will exalt him to the highest place – equality
Given a name above all names (those living and preceding him in death)
Every knee will bow (he regains divine privileges)
To God’s glory
Now read Philippians 2:1-5. What are followers of Jesus like?
Our identity is to be a humble servant
(embrace the attitude Jesus had: surrendered His rights and status, be knowable and vulnerable, be a humble servant and not be served, be sacrificial and self-giving)
UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES
How have you seen people react when they expect to be served and receive poor service?
Leader note: Give your group a chance to talk about people (anonymously) who they have seen react to poor service in a restaurant, hotel, travelling, airlines, doctor’s office, hospital, any other place they expected “to be served” and it didn’t go their way. What are the different reactions people have? Have your group discuss this in a manner where they talk about those who extend grace by forgiving and not harassing their “servers” and those who react with anger, disappointment, etc.
How have you seen people react when they expect to be served and receive great service?
Leader note: How do people respond when they feel as though they have been “served” well. For instance, a meal for free if it was late, vouchers for additional flights when a flight was cancelled or overbooked.
APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES
When was a time you served with the attitude of Jesus?
Leader note: Keep the four key points in mind:
- status – not using position or power when you serve
- Being knowable, vulnerable – this would require relationship and revealing your story
- Humble – intentionally not expecting anything in return, not even thanks
- Sacrificial – it had to cost something that wasn’t easy to afford (time, travel, giving serving priority over something you wanted to do, giving above what was easy to give)
Which of the qualities do you struggle with?
Leader note: If you have time, follow up this question with “Is it right for a Christian to ever feel like they should be served?” You can also send your group home with that thought as they head to restaurants, gyms, home to their housekeepers or babysitters, their office where they oversee staff, etc.
Pray: As you end your time together, ask the Holy Spirit to intervene when you become less than humble in your expectations of service or serving. Confess silently those times you know you were served and either felt you deserved it or overreacted when it didn’t go well. Ask for an overwhelming desire of humility to wash over you as you consider places to meet or exceed needs of those around you and for God to give you an opportunity to demonstrate your story and His restoration power in you and through you.
LIVE IT OUT
How will we have this attitude of Jesus toward the poor and marginalized in the next few weeks?