Sermon Notes February 7, 2016

Attitude Determines Direction

Philippians 2:1-11
What does it mean?
The Motivation:
The Imperative:
The Example:

What difference does it make?

Unselfish Love
Unashamed Humility
Unqualified Unity

Leaders Guide Week of February 7, 2016

Attitude Determines Direction: Philippians 2:1-11
I have attached a copy of the Looking Back Bible Study Guide for your
convenience. Consider incorporating those questions and quotations
into your group discussion.
You could begin by asking group members to share more of their story
by talking about a time period when they faced challenges or coped
with change that was disorienting. You could even start that off by
telling part of your own story. Consider asking questions like

Would you share with us about a time period when you were
struggling to get your feet underneath you and move forward?
What was that like? Did that become a time for growth?
Were there any actions you took that helped you remain
centered?

As you begin to dig deeper, you could ask other questions like

Jesus calls us to be different because of our love. When is that

message of love clearly expressed and when is that love
obscured?
In our culture on macro and personal levels, do we value and
celebrate those driven by selfish ambition and vanity or those
motivated by humility and service or both?
What has been your experience with humble leadership and
ego-driven leadership?
How would you describe the relationship between humility and
courage? Why does living or leading with humility involve risk?
Recall a recent conflict in an important relationship in your
marriage or family, at work, or at church.
o Can you identify some of the competing interests at work?
o How could a spirit of humility, love, or motivation for unity
disrupt the dynamics that lead to conflict?
o How do our conflicts reveal areas in life where we can
grow?
What are we holding onto that prevents us from reflecting the
attitude of Christ?
The Roman world that included the Philippian church was
openly hostile to Christianity. What are some creative ways that
we might demonstrate the attitude of Christ to those who feel
threatened by or antagonistic to the claims of the gospel?
How does the gospel of Christ change our outlook on life or

center our attitude on Christs example?

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the
fellowship of the Spirit be with you, guide you, and comfort you.
Thank you for leading your group. Im privileged to serve alongside of
you.
Titus

February 7-13, 2016

LOOKING BACK
Attitude Determines Direction: Philippians 2:1-11
Have you ever felt as if you were tumbling through life trying to
remember which way is up? Experiencing change or challenge can
encourage growth but it can also be disorienting. In those upsidedown seasons of life, paying careful attention to our attitude can help
us remain right-side-up. As followers of Christ, what hallmarks of our
attitude set us apart, keep us centered, and pointed in the right
direction?
Thinking It Through (agree/disagree/consider/contemplate)
Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our
attitude toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I
become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90
percent how we respond to it. ~ Chuck Swindoll, Strengthening
Your Grip
Humility is precisely not feigned or groveling, nor a sanctimonious or
pathetic lack of self-esteem. It involves an unadorned
acknowledgement of ones own creaturely inadequacies, and
entrusting ones fortunes to God rather than to ones own abilities or
resources. ~Markus Bockmuehl, The Epistle to the Philippians
To be gospel oriented is to be others oriented. ~R. Kent Hughes, The
Fellowship of the Gospel and the Supremacy of Christ
Working It Out
1. How have you experienced the benefits of Gods grace (as
reflected in Philippians 2:1) and how does that experience
change your relationships with and outlook toward others?
2. How can unity in attitude and purpose be realized in our church
or your family? What are some large stumbling blocks on the
way to unity?
3. What are some ways that your life (relationships, priorities,
ambitions) might look different if it were tuned to match up with
the gospel?

LOOKING AHEAD
Attitude Determines Direction
Philippians 2:1-11
We cant determine what happens to us or dictate the circumstances
of life that surround us. We can, however, intentionally choose how we
respond to everything that life brings our way. Your attitude
determines your direction is an often-repeated proverb, but what
difference does the gospel and following Christ make in our basic
outlook on life?
1. Read and prayerfully think through Philippians 2:1-11.
2. What actions and motivations can you discover and attribute to
each member of the Trinity (Father, Son-Jesus Christ, and the
Holy Spirit)?
3. Describe the difference between unity, unanimity, and
uniformity.
4. What are some attitudes, perspectives, and mindsets that lead
us toward unity?