Philippians 2: 5-11
- You should have the same attitude as whom?
- What did he make himself?
- Therefore God did what?
- How does Jesus serve as an example of how we should preserve unity?
- How can you imitate Christ in this way?
I was at an area meeting of principals today. I think that I got this passage all wrong. I was seething at the attitude of the represeentatives from a school who are ‘toffee nosed’ in my opinion. I felt like I was in a room of white, social conservatives and I told a few people what was on my mind about mistaking religious conservatism with social conservatism. The area representative for ACSI recommended that we do the Truth Project put together by Focus on the Family – I told him what I thought of James Dobson’s influence on an unthinking populace. Yes, I think you can say I got this passage as far from my mind as I could. Now do I have to start writing letters of apology?
Oh, and I guess I’ll give the Truth Project a chance!
Going Deeper
Observation
- What is the nature of Jesus?
- What nature did Jesus take?
- What did Jesus make himself?
- What kind of death did Jesus endure?
- What will every tongue confess?
Interpretation
- If ‘made himself nothing’ is literally ’emptied himself,’ what did Jesus empty?
- If ‘servant’ is literally ‘slave’ how does that relate to crucifixion?
- Does this passage claim that Jesus is God?
- Do spiritual creatures, earthly creatures or powers bow in this passage?
- What is the name that is above every name? Does it matter?
Application
- Should Peter stop exalting himself over the stereotypes in his mind of people who live in a place where he once lived?
- Do artsy types stand in judgement over the rule-keeper types who judge them?
- Does Jesus stand in judgement over you personally now?
- How would you argue with a Jehovah’s Witness who doesn’t believe that Jesus is God?
- How could you dress up and pretend to be Jesus (figuratively) with those you work with, live with, or play with? Be specific about actual things you could do.
Plymothian 