Imitating Christ’s Humility
1. Read Philippians 2:1-11 twice. Write down any key ideas or phrases that catch your attention. What are the key principles you believe we ought to draw from this text? Why did you choose those principles?
2. What do you think of when you hear the word, “humility?” What would you say are the primary influences of your view of humility?
3. According to the Apostle Paul, how can the Philippians “complete his joy” (verse 2)?
What does Paul mean by, “being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose,” in verse 2? What would you say are some necessary conditions to the kind of like-mindedness and unity Paul has in mind?
4. How does Paul’s command in verses 3 and 4 help bring about such unity? What would his words in these two verses look like if they were lived out in your…
5. How would you define “humility,” based on verses 1-4?
6. C.S. Lewis said pride is the foundational sin that gives birth to all other sins in a person’s life. How is humility a foundational virtue and in what ways might it bring forth other virtues?
7. In verses 5-11, Paul provides a picture of what humility should look like. What kind of “attitude” or “mind” does he commend? Describe it.
8. What key areas of Christ’s life and ministry did Paul highlight in verses 5-11 that describe the humility we should seek to imitate?
9. Read John 1:1-18; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:1-4. What do these texts teach us about who Jesus is? Paul tells us in Philippians 2:6-7 that Jesus “made himself nothing” or “emptied himself?” Does that mean Jesus ceased to be God? Explain your answer.
10. Paul said that Jesus was made in human likeness (v. 7). What did Paul mean by also saying Jesus took the very nature of a “servant” (v. 7)? Based on the Scripture texts in Question 9, that reveal to us the glory and preeminence of Christ, what do Paul’s words about Christ in Philippians 2:7 tell us about the character and mission of Christ? What emotions and feelings about Christ does that truth cause within you?
11. In what ways was the death of Jesus on the cross an act of humility (v. 8)?
12. According to verses 9-11, what name did God give Jesus as an expression of his exaltation? (Hint: it’s not the name, “Jesus.”)
13. In your own words, what does it mean that every knee should bow before Jesus Christ and every tongue confess that he is Lord (v. 11)? What does it mean to call Jesus, “Lord?”
14. Who ultimately received glory from this act of humility and exaltation (v. 11)?
15. What is it about human nature that makes living out the humility described by Paul so difficult? In what circumstances do you find it hardest for you to live humbly in you daily life? Why?
16. What are three practical (real) ways you can apply Philippians 2:1-4 in your life, starting today?
17. It’s unlikely you will have to die for another person, and certain you will not (nor can you) die for another person’s sins. Therefore, what are three ordinary ways you can imitate the humility of Jesus in your life? (Read Luke 14:1, 7-11)
18. How does remembering what Jesus has done for you (Philippians 2:6-8) impact your thoughts about the importance of humility?
19. In addition to the texts in Question 9, read Matthew 28:16-20 and Ephesians 1:15-23 Considering these verses, how would you describe or define the Lordship of Jesus Christ to a friend?
20. Based on the verses in the question above, do you believe there is any area in all creation that should not be under the authority of Christ’s Lordship? Even in the lives of people who reject him? Explain.
21. What would your life look like if you submitted to Jesus Christ as Lord in every sphere of your life? Where would the inner conflicts arise? Where would the surrounding culture resist you? In what ways would it bless you and others?
22. Let’s narrow our focus and ask the hard question: Is there any area of your life which you have not submitted to Jesus Christ as Lord? What area(s) have you been keeping from him? Why?
What will you do today to submit those areas to Christ? Don’t try this on your own. Meet with two or three other Christians for help, prayer, encouragement, and accountability.
God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we give you our praise and thanks for the great work of Christ upon the Cross for our sin, rebellion, and brokenness. Not because he had to, not because of anything good in us, but because of his goodness and grace did he take on our flesh, humble himself, and become an obedient servant. He took the pain, humiliation, abandonment, and death that was our due. What a gracious Savior he is! Enlarge our hearts and minds to desire to know him better and love him more than we do. And let this knowledge of him and love for him humble us. We pray, O Lord, that our knees will bow before him as we serve others in our world. Fill us with his Spirit, for left to ourselves we cannot and will not imitate his humility. Help us die to ourselves and live the risen life with him, that we might faithfully represent him before a watching world, for your glory and the good of others. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen. (based on Philippians 2:1-11)
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