Small Group Guide

July 27

Humility Serves (Philippians 2:7)

Humble Lights series

Application questions:

1. Do You See Jesus Clearly?

The incarnation is God “poking His head out”—making Himself visible in Christ.
When your relationship with God feels distant, what truths about the incarnation can anchor your faith and comfort your heart?
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory...) full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

2. Are You Grateful for Sheer Grace?

Jesus made Himself “of no reputation” and chose humiliation—for you.
How deeply does the reality of Christ’s voluntary descent into suffering affect your gratitude, worship, and daily living?
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9

3. Are You Holding Tightly to Your Rights?

Christ laid aside His divine rights—glory, authority, comfort, and riches—to serve.
What rights or comforts are you unwilling to give up for the sake of others? Where might God be calling you to lay something down?
“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation...” – Philippians 2:6–7a

4. Do You Reflect the Heart of a Servant?

Jesus didn’t just look like a servant—He became one.
Are you known as a servant in your home, workplace, or church? Or do you wait to be served? How can you grow in practical service this week?
“...and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.” – Philippians 2:7b

5. Are You Minimizing the Physical or the Spiritual?

God became flesh—matter matters to Him.
Do you overemphasize physical health and success, or neglect it? How can you reflect God’s concern for both bodies and souls in your life?
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” – Colossians 2:9

6. Do You Follow Christ’s Example in the Mundane?

Jesus chose the ordinary—learning, building, obeying, depending.
Are you content to serve God in the quiet, unnoticed, or “mundane” areas of life? What small acts of faithfulness might God be calling you to today?
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.” – Luke 2:52

7. Do You Let Christ’s Humanity Comfort You?

Jesus experienced sorrow, loneliness, rejection, and temptation—yet without sin.
When you suffer or face trials, do you run to Him as One who truly understands your pain and weakness?
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” – Hebrews 4:15

8. Do You Serve in Deed, Not Just in Thought?

Saying “I care” isn’t the same as helping carry the groceries.
Where are you tempted to substitute good intentions for sacrificial action? What’s one way you can serve someone tangibly this week?
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18

9. Are You Giving Your Life Away?

Christ came to give His life as a ransom for many.
What does it look like in your season of life to live a “poured-out” life? Are there people God is calling you to serve even when it's costly?
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” – 1 John 3:16

10. Do You Imitate the Humility of the Incarnate King?

Jesus shows us that the way up is the way down.
How does Christ’s humility confront your pride or self-focus? In what ways can you intentionally pursue a mindset of humility this week?

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 2:5 

Sermon Outline:

I. Christ-like Humility Serves (Philippians 2:5–7)

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus…”

A. Jesus Did Not Cling to His Divine Rights (v. 6)

He is fully God—equal with the Father.
Yet He did not exploit His divine status.

B. Jesus Emptied Himself (v. 7) – “Made Himself of No Reputation”

Greek: Kenosis – Not emptying of deity, but of privileges.

II. Six Divine Rights Jesus Chose Not to Exercise

  1. His Divine Glory

    • Veiled His glory during His earthly life. (John 17:5)

  2. The Worship of Heaven

    • Chose earthly obscurity over angelic praise. (Isaiah 6:3)

  3. Face-to-Face Fellowship with the Father

    • Endured separation to bring us near. (Ephesians 2:13)

  4. Divine Authority

    • Lived in dependence on the Father’s will. (John 5:30)

  5. Divine Attributes

    • Temporarily laid aside full use of omniscience/omnipotence. (Mark 13:32)

  6. Eternal Riches

    • Became poor for our sake. (2 Corinthians 8:9)

III. The Sovereign Creator Became a Servant (v. 7b)

  • Took on the form (essence) of a servant, not just appearance.

  • Fully God, fully man—God in human flesh

IV. Why the Incarnation Matters

A. Matter Matters to God

God cares about the physical as well as the spiritual.
Christianity uniquely affirms this in the Incarnation and Resurrection. (Colossians 2:9)

B. We Serve Both Body and Soul

Ministry includes care for physical needs (Matt. 25:35–40) and souls.
Illustration: Helpful action with groceries—not just intention.

V. Jesus Understands Our Weakness

  • He is our sympathetic High Priest. (Hebrews 4:15–16)

  • Whatever our struggle—sorrow, betrayal, temptation—He’s been there.

VI. The Final Call: Will You Serve Like Jesus?

“The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve…” (Matthew 20:28)

  • Jesus didn’t just come to think kind thoughts—He acted in humility.

  • Are you willing to give your life away?