Philippians: Taking Christ as Our Pattern

Taking Christ as Our Pattern
Philippians 2:1-11

Discuss:

Is there someone in your life whom you regard as a pattern? What virtue of theirs do you emulate the most?

Discover:

Focus: Christ Jesus humbled Himself to the uttermost, but God exalted Him to the highest peak. By taking Him as our pattern, we may live out this crucified life to exalt Christ in our daily life.

Read Philippians 2:1-11. Read the passage again, but focus on the steps Christ took in verses 5-11.

1. Think about the context. What was Paul’s goal in chapter one? What kind of environment was he in at the time?

2. The Lord’s humiliation in verses 5-11 involved seven steps, which set up a pattern for us to take. Can you identify all seven one by one? How is this pattern different from the selfish ambition, vainglory, and rivalry in verse 3? To check your answers and further your discussion, read this excerpt.

3. Look at God’s exaltation of Christ in verses 9-11. How did God exalt Christ to the highest peak?

Memorize and pray over Philippians 2:5, then recite it to one another:
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

Apply:

1. How can we take Christ as our pattern in our relationship with others?

2. What is a way you can give “glory to God the Father” (verse 11)?