Philippians 2:3-8 // Love Without Walls Wk 3

Date:  October 20-21, 2012
Series:  Love Without Walls
Message:  Changing the World
Passage:  Various

 

INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES

When was a time you got help from an unexpected source?

Leader note: Think about different aspects of your life and people who have helped when you needed it.  Maybe you were running up against a deadline at work or school, and someone you wouldn’t expect to help you came alongside of you and helped you finish.  Maybe it was a check coming in the mail that was unexpected. 

OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES

Read John 1:1-5,14,18 and Philippians 2:3-8, Mark 10:45, Matthew 20:28, 2 Corinthians 8:9 and Luke 4:18.  What do you learn about Jesus’ heart?

Leader note:  The passages reveal a lot about the heart of Jesus – but you will need to push your group to see it.  Have them read the first passage and say, “What does that reveal about the heart of Jesus?”  Then read the next passage and ask again.  Keep pushing it until you think you have gotten all of the answers from each passage.  Some will have several points, others only one or two – depending on the length of the passage.

Commentary:  Some of the answers you are looking for are:

John 1:1-5,14-18 He is creative He is full of unfailing love He is humble – became flesh – self-giving He is eternal – He wants to be with us He wants us to know Him and He knows us He is loved by the Father – knows what it means to be loved He is faithfulness He’s trustworthy He’ll never leave Always who He is – doesn’t change

Philippians 2:3-8 Humble – thinking of others BETTER than Himself – puts others first Gave up privileges He is obedient Unselfish Wasn’t trying to impress Not vying for position Sacrificial Giving up his life Pays our penalty Wasn’t clinging to status or position Loves God Focused on others

Mark 10:45 Gave his life He was a servant He was all in He was intentional – this is why He came Embraces his servant hood

Matthew 20:28 He wasn’t here to be served He was the King that should be served – but he served others

2 Corinthians 8:9 He was rich – became poor – humble Gave up everything

Luke 4:18 Took good news to the poor Cares about the poor, brokenhearted, marginalized, rejected

Which of these statements surprise or startle you?

Leader note:  Look at the statements from each of the passages – are any of them new thoughts for you?  Do any of them surprise you?  What about the thought of Jesus being in the position to BE served and serving instead.  It wasn’t just that he was a nobody – he could have pushed his position of King and have been served by all, but chose to serve.  There are many startling statements because of the position of power Jesus had and gave up – no one can identify with holding the position of God, and deciding to become a servant – that is startling.

 

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES

Where have you lived out Jesus’ heart?  

Commentary:  You may want to talk about Rooted experiences with serving, or how your group has become involved in serving since Rooted.  Some examples would be:  it could be an individual effort or as part of a group.  It could be in your community on your own, or through the Outreach ministrie and there partnerships.  For instance, helping a neighbor who has mobility issues, working periodically at an orphanage, or doing some work in Mexico.  Maybe you have done some random acts of kindness like helping with a flat tire or giving money to the homeless in your neighborhood.

Where have you missed living out Jesus’ heart?

Leader note:  Consider both blatant and subtle misses.  Maybe when they were passing the basket in church for Outreach ministries or other causes you looked in your wallet and had a $10 bill and a $20 bill – you gave the $10.  You could have given the $20 – or even both!  Is there a group of people that you hold subtle prejudices against and you avoid engaging them, or helping them when necessary?  Think of those standing on the corner, at the grocery store.

What stops you?

Leader note:  We talked about a lot of these last week:  fear, think they deserve their circumstances, don’t want to enable, etc.  Ask yourself if you have changed your opinion or your reaction to those in need since your discussion last week.  If so, how?

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

Where do you want to lean in more where you do live out Jesus’ heart?  Where do you want to lean in more where you don’t?

Leader note:  Look at your answers from the previous questions.  If you are already helping the homeless, how can you help more?  When you look at those that you are missing completely – how can you lean into them.  If you avoid the homeless, maybe you can serve at a soup kitchen.  Maybe you can buy a meal for a homeless person. One great idea someone had was to buy them a gift card for groceries so they would have the dignity of shopping for food as opposed to it being given to them. Think of any groups you avoid and see how you can begin to lean in and serve them instead.  Maybe you have a neighbor who drives you crazy, maybe you can help them with their yard work, or bring them a homemade dessert.  Perhaps you avoid Mexico – maybe you could serve at Minnie Street or our learning center on Wilshire.  For ways to serve, visit our Outreach website for ideas.

Pray: As you end your time together, thank Jesus for the model he set of a servant.  Pray that God will prompt you to an area of service that honors Him and stretches you a little bit.  Pray for each other in the areas you are trying to lean in where you miss having Jesus’ heart and for the compassion and desire to serve in those areas you avoid most. 

 

LIVE IT OUT

What would be different in our community if we all lived out Jesus’ heart? 

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