ICEBREAKERS
Make sure to start off with prayer. Then choose one or more questions to open up with.
- To celebrate Father's Day share two positive words that describe your father or a father-figure in your life. Why did you choose those words?
Message Review
Main points and scriptures from this week's message.
THE MAIN THEME/THE BIG IDEA: JOY Under Pressure [Joy UP!]
We can all agree that joy is not the natural response to negative circumstances in your life. But that is what makes the book of Philippians so powerful because the Apostle Paul wrote it from a prison cell.
POINT 1: JOY UNDER PRESSURE DOESN’T BEGIN AS A FEELING. IT BEGINS WHEN WE DECIDE TO FOCUS MORE ON THE THINGS THAT BRING US JOY.
We could all make two lists. One list that has everything that is hard about life and another list that is how good God is. The list that you choose to focus on will determine your ability to experience joy.
POINT 2: HUMILITY IS NOT THINKING LESS OF YOURSELF. IT’S THINKING OF YOURSELF LESS.
In chapter 2 Paul makes a joyful appeal for humility.
Philippians 2:1–4 (NIV)
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, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
POINT 3: HUMILITY IS BEING LIKE-MINDED.
He’s writing to the church as if they are a team. Which we are! We are God's team working on God's dream. When this clicks in your mind you have a paradigm shift.
POINT 4: HUMILITY IS HAVING THE SAME MINDSET AS CHRIST.
Philippians 2:5–11 (NIV)
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
POINT 5: WHEN WE ARE HUMBLE, WE REAP THE BENEFITS AND REWARDS OF HUMILITY.
Philippians 2:14–16 (NIV)
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 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 as you hold firmly to the word of life.
POINT 6: HUMILITY IS STAYING FOCUSED ON THE ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR THAT HONORS GOD’S PURPOSE IN YOUR LIFE.
Grumbling and complaining happens when we’re too focused on ourselves.
TALK-IT-OUT
The following questions will help guide your discussions and give your group some opportunities to open up and share.
- What is your natural response when things do not go as planned? (anger, frustration, closing down, depression, etc)
- What can you focus on that always brings you joy?
- What insecurity do you need to focus on less in order to reach a new level of humility?
- What relationship do you have where you need to work harder at being like-minded?
- Read Philippians 2:5-11. How did Jesus exemplify humility?
- What behavior are you going to focus on this week improving in order to honor God in your life?
WRITE-It-Out
Encourage your group to start writing things down. In a journal or on paper, do the following exercises.
- Write a heartfelt thank you letter to your Father or a Father-figure in your life.
Live-It-Out
Encourage your group to start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- Deliver the letter you wrote in the Write-it-Out section.
- Every time you start feeling insecure about yourself this week practice humility by shifting your focus off of yourself.
- Complete Growth Track. Every Saturday in Tacoma 6:00pm, and every Sunday at all of our campuses. Bellevue 9:45am & Tacoma 11:30am.
- Serve together as a group with Summer Love. To view serving opportunities with Champions Foundation, click HERE.
Closing Thoughts
- Finish group with prayer requests and praise reports.
- More resources are always available here: Group Resources.