Contending for Unity | Todd Madonna | 11.20.22

Follow Along with the Message

1. Doing Life

As a church family, we care about each other’s lives: what we’re celebrating, what we’re mourning, what decisions we are praying through, and everything in between 

(1 Thessalonians 2:8, Romans 12:10, 15). Suggested time: 10-20 minutes 

• How are you doing? 
• What can you thank God for this week?
• When were you most aware of Jesus’ presence this week? When were you least aware of Jesus’ presence this week?
• Do you have any practical needs?

2. Jesus Centered

God uses His Word to reveal Himself to us, equip us to live the good life He’s designed for us, show us our sin, and strengthen us as we follow Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 1:9-12, and James 1:22-25). Suggested Time: 20-40 minutes 

Primary Passage:  Philippians 2:1-5

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.

1. How do you define pride? In yourself? In others?
2. Is there a difference in how you view your pride vs the pride of others?

Definition of Pride:

Merriam-Webster: self regard / self esteem / self confidence / self assuredness / self

trust / self worth

Urban Dictionary: Something you feel before falling flat on your face

Proverbs 16:18 (The Message)

First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.

Phil. 2:1,2 “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. How does living out Philippians 2:1-2 counter the impulse to be prideful or

judgmental of others’ pride?

4. What is the world’s interpretation of humility or being humble?
5. What does it mean to you to be humble?

Definition of Humility

Merriam-Webster: Freedom from pride or arrogance / not haughty

Urban Dictionary: True humility is to recognize your value and others value while

looking up. It is to see there is far greater than ourself into who we can become, who

others can become, and how much more we can do and be. To be humble is to serve

others and be for their good as well as your own. To be humble is to have a

realistic appreciation of your great strengths, but also of your weaknesses.

Phil. 2:3-5 “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.”

6. In what ways would the world, but more importantly, our immediate community,

be impacted if each of us lived out the admonitions Paul wrote to the Philippians,

(and us) to consider others as more important than ourselves and act on it?

3. Engaging the Heart

Jesus calls us to walk in the light, confessing our sins to God and each other. God’s Spirit works through confession and community to lead us to repentance. (Romans 3:23-24, James 5:16 and 1 John 1:5-10) Suggested Time: 10-20 minutes 

• How are you doing abiding with Jesus this week in Scripture and prayer? 
• What sin do you need to confess to God? What are you struggling to trust Jesus with this week? How can you give Him control of it? (As people confess sin, make sure to remind one another of the good news Jesus offers.)

4. Expanding the Kingdom

Just like God the Father sent Jesus on a mission of reconciliation for us, Jesus sends us out as ambassadors of His reconciliation. We are called to make disciples wherever we go. (John 20:21 and 2 Corinthians 5:18-20) Suggested time: 10-20 minutes

• People: Who in your life can you be building with right now? What does that look like during this season? 
• Plan: Are there any rhythms planned (virtual or in-person) that we can invite these friends into? What spiritual conversations do you want to initiate with them soon? 

Pray: Let’s pray for our people by name; pray for their needs, opportunities to connect, and opportunities to have spiritual conversations that help them take the next steps toward Jesus.