Level Up
Philippians 2:1-12
Food For Thought
What is the most difficult thing you have ever trained for (marathon, college degree, work)? How long did it take? Did you ever consider giving up? What kept you going?
How can following after Christ be like training for something?
Read Philippians 2:1–11. What do these verses say about Jesus (his nature, work, and relationship to God and human beings)?
Paul seems to stress the importance of living as co-laborers in Christ (2:3–4) as he instructs the readers to model Christ’s behaviors (2:5–11). How do these passages challenge you to be open to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit? How can you exercise more grace to yourself and to others in this process?
Paul says that followers must work out their salvation “with fear and trembling” (2:12) in response to God’s work within them for his good pleasure. How can the transformation process be painful but rewarding? How have you found God’s transforming work to be this way for you?