Published November 2012 Christian Education Publications PO Box A287, Sydney South NSW 1235 Ph: 612 8268 3344 Fax: 612 8268 3357 www.cepstore.com.au Copyright Christian Education Publications © Penny Reeve 2012 This book is copyright. Apart from fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without the written permission of the Publisher. All Scripture quotations, in this publication are from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ® NIV ® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.®. All rights reserved worldwide. National Library of Australia ISBN 978-1-922000-57-6 Author—Penny Reeve Managing editor—Julie Firmstone Theological editor—Loren Becroft Typesetting and design—Bethany Abbottsmith
study 1
ItĂs all about the attitude PART 1
Choose three likely performers from the group (group leaders are allowed to act also). Act out a comedy talk show: have one person as a football fanatic; one person, a competitive fashion model; and the third person, a lazy couch potato. Ask each person the following questions: 1. What do you love most of all and why? 2. If I gave you $200, what would you spend it on? 3. What does your favourite T-shirt look like? As a group, talk about why each person answered the way they did. What was each person’s attitude towards the thing they loved most? What influenced their attitude? Did you expect them to act that way? Why or why not? Instead of acting, imagine you are conducting an interview with these people. What might their answers to the questions be?
Look up Philippians 2:5. 1
Whose attitude does this verse say ours should be like?
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How do you think Jesus would have answered the three questions above?
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PART 2 1
What do you think of when you hear the word ‘attitude’? (Circle any words relevant to you or write a list of your own.)
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Share a story of a time when someone used the word ‘attitude’ when speaking to you. Was the word used in a positive or negative way?
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Use a dictionary to check the actual meaning of the word ‘attitude’. Write it here in words you understand.
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Do you think all attitudes are bad? Share some real life examples of a positive attitude.
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Here is Philippians 2:1–5: Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus ‌ Use an orange highlighter or pencil to colour the parts of the verses above that you think might be behaviours coming from negative attitudes. Colour with green the parts that might be clues about the nature of Jesus’ attitude.
Ask God to show you more of what Jesus is like as you continue with this study, and to stir up a desire to follow him more closely.
PART 3 Complete the Attitude background check. Read the items in the list below and give each one a score in the right-hand column. At the end of the check, add up your scores using the following system: Not at all = 0, Sometimes = 2, Most of the time = 4
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Philippians 2: Attitude background check
Not at all
Sometimes
Most of the time
How often do you feel comforted by God’s love? Do you have any kindness in you? When you think of Jesus saving us from our sin, do you feel encouraged? Are you glad the Holy Spirit helps us to follow God? When you see people in need, do you ever feel like helping? TOTAL: This test came straight from Philippians 2:1. Basically, if you scored 1 or more, the check is telling you that you need to live out Philippians 2:5! Tricky question: What do you think the Bible would say to someone with a score of 0? ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________
Find Philippians 2:5 and fill in the missing words below:
Your .............. should be the ............... as that of .................. .................. 1
How does this make you feel?
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Pray the words of Psalm 139:23–24 and be ready for God to work in your life!
1
What do you think Jesus’ attitude is like?
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Is your attitude similar to his? Why or why not?
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Treasure hunt: Have someone hide the words of this verse (one copy per person) either around the room/space or in a sandpit etc. Your task is to locate each word, put the words into the correct order and then write the verse onto a blank, business-sized card. Use the card to help you practise the verse during the week (you might like to tape it to your bathroom mirror or in another place where you will regularly see it).
Philippians 2:5 Test date Checked by ... Person #2 Checked by ... Person #2 Memorised? Yes/No 16