Philippians 2:14-16

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.


~ In what areas of your life do you struggle most with trusting God? How might you be tempted to grumble about your situation? Will you spend some time in conversation with God about this today?
~ How has God used you this past week to shine in the midst of a warped and crooked generation? Who did He use to shine in your life? How will you praise Him?

Philippians 2:12-13

Do Everything Without Grumbling

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.


~ What do you think Paul meant when he said "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling"?
~ What areas of your life are you tempted to take to credit for? Based on this verse, who works in us and through us and why?

Philippians 2:5-11

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God,
  did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
  by taking the very nature of a servant,
  being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
  he humbled himself
  by becoming obedient to death—
     even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
  and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
  in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
  to the glory of God the Father.

~ What privileges, rights, or honors might God be asking you to give up for a season? Are you willing to humble or lower yourself in obedience as Christ did?

~ What encouragement and hope do you find in verses 9-11?

Philippians 2:1-4

Imitating Christ’s Humility

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

~ How would you define humility? Compare your definition to the dictionaries.
~ How did Christ demonstrate humility?

Philippians 1:29-30

29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.


~This is more of a challenge than a question: Suffering for Christ is a challenging concept for our human minds to grasp, so my challenge to you is to dig into the word a bit and see what other areas of the bible have to say about suffering for Christ's sake. Please share your findings!
~ How might you be suffering for Christ in you life right now? What hope has God provided for you in the midst of it?