Philippians 2:5-11
Downward Mobility
•P aul embraced humility so that through love and service he could lead people to a “God-saved life” (1 Cor. 9:22, MSG). When has someone’s humility in your life brought you closer to God?
This week we’re learning about humility. We’re learning where we stand in relation to God and to one another. And we’re learning how we can practice humility and what happens to us when we do.
Give each person an opportunity to share prayer requests.
Share Your Story
If you feel God is nudging you to go deeper, take some time between now and our next discussion to dig into His Word. Explore the Bible passages related to this session’s theme on your own, jotting your reflections in a journal or in this study guide. Want to go deeper? Select a few verses and try paraphrasing them: writing them in your own words. If you like, share them with the group the next time you meet.
Begin by praying together. This should be a brief, simple prayer in which you invite God to give you insight as you study. You can pray for specific requests at the end of your time together or stop momentarily to pray if a particular situation comes up during your discussion. Then begin your time together by discussing the following questions. • In our relationships with one another, how do we determine our social standing? • What determines who is a “winner”? WATCH THE VIDEO
NorthlandChurch.net/Studies Afterward have someone read the discussion questions in the “Hear God’s Story” section and start the conversation.
Hear God’s Story and Create a New Story READ 1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-25 (MSG) Read the passages together, and then discuss the following questions. • To whom did the apostle Paul become a servant? Why was he so intent on being a servant to so many people? • What does it mean that he “kept [his] bearings in Christ” (v. 21)? • What’s the difference between the prize that athletes get and the eternal prize Paul is encouraging us to pursue? to love first? • Philippians 2:7 says that Jesus “made himself nothing” (NIV), similar to Paul’s comment that he became a servant to all. Who are people in your life you could serve? How would you have to humble yourself to serve them?
Find Your Story in God’s Story
The Giant Secret of Joy
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A Journey with the Philippians
How can we embrace a life of humility when the world around us constantly calls to self-promotion?
Connect & Grow
READ MICAH 6:6-8 (NIV) • In the Message translation, Micah 6:6 presents the central question Micah is answering: How can I stand up before God and show proper respect to the high God? What is the first approach Micah offers in verses 6 and 7?
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• What does Micah ultimately suggest God requires of us in verse 8? • Practically speaking, what does it look like to “walk humbly with your God”? How does that look in our family? Our work? Our neighborhood? Our community? READ 1 PETER 5:1-7 (MSG) •H ow is the leadership described here different from the vision of leadership described in the world around us? • What are some examples in the Bible of God having “had it” with proud people? • “ Be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs” is translated in the NIV as “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand.” What’s the connection between contentment and humility? • How can we be more “down to earth with each other” (v. 4)?
• How can your community and group help you keep your bearings in Jesus while you’re serving people who are still apart from Him? • Jesus was obedient to God in His service to us, even to “death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8, NIV). What are some of the costs you’ve experienced when you’ve humbled yourself and served others?
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Looking for more questions and reflections so you can keep digging deeper? There’s even more to this week’s study available on Northland’s apps or at NorthlandChurch.net/Studies.
NOVEMBER 18-20, 2017
DIGGING DEEPER
WEEK
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