Emmaus Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study
Ý
Copyright 2004 by William Meisheid
Philippians: Chapter
2:1-11 Saturday,
February 14, 2004
Today’s theme:
Letting go of privilege and accepting servanthood.
Scriptural
background: Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given
me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you
ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with
the measure of faith God has given you.”
Quotes to
think about
" Humility must
always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of
his followers and the sacrifices of his friends.” Dwight David Eisenhower
“Discourses on humility are a source
of pride in the vain and of humility in the humble. So those on scepticism
cause believers to affirm. Few men speak humbly of humility, chastely of
chastity, few doubtingly of scepticism.” Blaise Pascal
Review
1. What basic
biblical principle undergirds Paul’s thinking in verses 12-30?
2. What new concept does Paul advance in
this section about life and death?
3. Paul discusses one overriding concern
about his conduct. Have we as 21st century Christians lost that concern? How
or how not?
Chapter 2:1-11
1If
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, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
1. Notice the personal and individual
nature of this appeal (encouragement, comfort, fellowship, tenderness,
compassion, joy, etc). Why is this important to Paul’s purpose?
3Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider
others better than yourselves.
2. Is Paul denying all ambition here or
just sinful ambition? Why is this important?
4Each
of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests
of others.
3. Who are the “others” in this passage?
What defines the scope of “others” for us?
Special Section - The “Kenosis” of Jesus Christ
Kenosis - from Greek,
an emptying, from v. kenoun, to empty, from n.
kenos, empty.
John Calvin
“Neither Christ's divinity, nor His Divine attributes, nor the use of those
attributes, nor His glory, was in any way emptied. Rather, these were
"concealed under a veil of flesh."
5Your
attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
4. What is Paul’s purpose in using Christ
as the ultimate example and how does that relate to us?
6Who,
being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be
grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a
servant, being made in human likeness.
5. What does this show us about the
nature of servanthood? How does this relate to the scriptural background of
our Roman’s passage? Why is this important?
8And
being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient
to death-- even death on a cross!
6. Notice the relationship between
humility and obedience. How is this relationship important?
9Therefore
God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above
every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in
heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue
confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
7. What implication, while not directly
expressed, is there for our humility and obedience? Why, if valid, do you
think it is not directly argued?
Resources
http://kenosis.info
for links to historic and orthodox apologetics for the kenosis of Jesus
Christ.
Assignment
Read verses
2:12-30. Think about the “therefore” beginning this section and its
implications for you personally and as head of your household.
Think about a prayer that you might
pray based on Paul’s “therefore” and begin writing it. Its beginning could
be something like “Jesus, your obedience was beyond
understanding, and your sacrifice unparalleled in all history, therefore…”
The goal is for each of us to write a personal prayer to use from this time
forward and to begin learning to write out specific personal prayers for our
prayer life.
In the movie
Patton, during the Battle of the Bulge, the general asked his
chaplain to write a prayer for good weather in the midst of a blizzard so
that he could counter attack the Germans. When the chaplain balked Patton
told him that if he wrote a good prayer God would listen and as chaplain
that was his job. The next morning the weather broke and Patton counter
attacked successfully.
Additional space - use the space below
and on the next page as needed.
[top]