What We Believe | Pastor Jonathan | Scripture: Philippians 2:5–11 | Article III: The Person and Work of Jesus Christ | Bible Study
Here is a 5-day Bible study built around Philippians 2:5–11 and the themes from your sermon (Christology + our attitude).
Each day includes:
- Passage to read
- Key idea
- Observation, Interpretation, and Application questions
- A simple “Write/Pray” step
Day 1 – The Mindset of Christ
1. Observe (What does the text say?)- List the commands or instructions in verses 1–4.
- What kinds of attitudes and behaviors does Paul reject?
- What attitudes and behaviors does he encourage?
- Why do you think Paul spends time on our relationships (v.1–4) before introducing Christ’s example (v.5–11)?
- How would you define “the mindset of Christ Jesus” just from verses 1–5 (before reading 6–11)?
- What does this section teach about how unity and humility are connected?
- In which relationship do you most struggle with selfish ambition or vain conceit?
- What would it look like this week to “value others above yourself” in one specific situation?
- Are there any attitudes right now where God might be saying to you, in the language of the sermon, “Fix your attitude”?
Day 2 – Christ Existed in the Form of God
1 Observe- What does Philippians 2:6 say about who Jesus is?
- In John 8:58, what exact phrase does Jesus use to describe Himself?
- In John 17:5, what does Jesus say He had with the Father “before the world began”?
- What does “being in very nature God” (or “existing in the form of God”) tell you about Jesus’ identity?
- How does the phrase “I am” in John 8:58 connect to God’s name in Exodus 3:14?
- What do these verses together (Phil. 2:6; John 8:58; John 17:5) teach about Jesus’ eternal existence and divine glory?
- How does knowing that Jesus is the eternal “I AM”, not just a teacher, affect your trust in Him during hard circumstances?
- Are there any ways you’ve been thinking of Jesus as “small” or mostly just a helper, rather than as eternal God?
- How might your worship or prayer change if you really believed you are speaking to the One who shared glory with the Father before the world began?
Day 3 – He Emptied Himself and Took the Form of a Servant
1 Observe- According to Philippians 2:7, how did Christ “make Himself nothing”?
- What two “forms” or “natures” are implied in this verse?
- What does John 1:14 say “became” what, and what did we “see” in Him?
- In your own words, what does it mean that He “emptied Himself” or “made Himself nothing”?
- How does the idea of “taking the nature of a servant” help you understand Jesus’ humility?
- How can Jesus be fully God and yet truly take on human likeness (real humanity) without losing His deity?
- Where in your life is God asking you to take on a servant role that feels “beneath” you?
- When you feel limited (tired, weak, ordinary), how could remembering that Jesus accepted real human limitations for you encourage you?
- Is there an area where you could “empty yourself” of pride, status, or rights to better serve someone else this week?
Day 4 – Obedient to the Point of Death, Even Death on a Cross
1 Observe- What two actions are connected in Philippians 2:8 (“he humbled himself by…”)?
- According to Galatians 3:13, what did Christ redeem us from, and how?
- In John 6:38–40, what is the Father’s will for which Jesus came?
- How is humility expressed in Jesus’ life according to Philippians 2:8?
- What does it mean that He became a curse for us (Galatians 3:13)?
- How does Jesus’ obedience to the cross fulfill the Father’s blueprint described in John 6:38–40?
- When you doubt God’s love, how can looking at the cross answer those doubts?
- Is there an area where you know what God wants (from His Word), but you are resisting obedience because it feels too costly or painful?
- What might it look like to say, “Not my will, but Yours,” in that area this week?
Day 5 – Exalted Above Every Name: Every Knee, Every Tongue
“…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10–11, NIV)1. Observe
- What did God do for Jesus in Philippians 2:9?
- Who will bow the knee and confess Jesus as Lord (v.10–11)?
- In Acts 7:55–56, where does Stephen see Jesus, and what title does he use?
- Why does verse 9 begin with “Therefore”? How is Jesus’ exaltation connected to His humility and obedience?
- What does it mean that Jesus has the name above every name?
- What does it show about God the Father that He insists every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus as Lord?
- Have you personally bowed your knee and confessed Jesus as Lord—not just in words, but in surrender of your life?
- What area of your life (time, money, relationships, decisions) most resists Jesus’ Lordship right now?
- How might remembering that everyone will bow one day change how you pray for people who currently mock or ignore Jesus?