02-21-2021
02-21-2021
Dr. E. Dale Locke (West & Online), Rev. Trevor Johnston (East), Pastor Efrain Silva (Español)
Series: Descending Into Greatness
Week 1: Why?
English PDF file for printing.
Para imprimir el archivo PDF en Español.
1. The season of Lent is a time in the church calendar where we remember all that Jesus went through so that we can live as people forgiven and free from sin, guilt and shame. It begins on Ash Wednesday, when the imposition of ashes offers a tangible opportunity to remember and keep the sacrifice of Jesus in our minds and hearts.
Talk about what you thought about Lent and Ash Wednesday growing up, and if you have memories of what those times of years felt like.
2. Read Philipians 2:1-11 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, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
In this series we'll be looking at some conventional - and unconventional things we need to know about Jesus. List all you can find in this Scripture about Jesus' mindset.
3. Jaroslav Pelikan (a scholar in the history of Christianity) said of Jesus: "Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus Christ remains the dominant figure in the history of western culture for almost twenty centuries. If it were possible, with some sort of super magnet, to pull up out of history every scrap of metal bearing at least a trace of his name…not much would be left."
Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
4. Jesus' life and death left a greater impact on the world over the past 2000 years than anybody else in history. He didn't live a life marked by great power or fame, as the leaders in his day such as Herod or Caesar Augustus. Instead, his life was one of humility.
Describe what the word "humility" means in your own words.
The idea of living life through a posture of humility did not exist before Jesus. He changed the world's thinking about humility in:
His teachings:
5. Read Matthew 22:37-40 - Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
How do you see humility presented in this scripture?
His persona:
6. Read Matthew 9:36-38 - "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Describe how Jesus' humility is represented in this Scripture. Can you think of other places in the Bible where Jesus' actions and behaviors show his humility?
His crucifixion:
7. Read Philippians 2:6-8 : “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!”
What stands out to you in this passage?
Humility moves us in a few ways.
8. Humility is inspiring. Pastor Dale talked about Tom Brady when he purposely turned the attention off himself to give accolades to his new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Can you share about a time when you have been inspired by someone else's humility?
9. Humility is persuasive. Can you think of a time when the humility of another person has persuaded you to become more humble? Or a time when your humility helped another person be more humble?
10. In what ways is our current culture showing a "crisis of humility"?
11. Read Philippians 2:1-11 together again, and share any new insights you have.
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· Parenting Workshop: February 25, 7:30pm on Zoom. Parents are responsible to provide our children with healthy, value-centered sex education based on what God values. Join us as we discuss how to teach healthy sexuality to our children. The conversation starts in pre-school and continues through young adulthood. This event will provide practical teaching for parents of children and teens of all ages. It’s never too early or too late to start! Register here.
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