Monday Nights @ First B (7)

In one paragraph

A woman in the congregation opened the evening by sharing how a Bible study verse led her to a ministry serving homeless women in South Dallas, and how that work gradually reshaped her priorities, her relationships, and even her wedding. Pastor Ray then grounded her story in Philippians 2:1-11, pressing the same question the passage presses: because Christ served us the way he did, what is our...

Read together

1. Romans 8:28 opening prayer, all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose
2. Philippians 2:3-4 quoted after the testimony, be humble thinking of others as better than yourselves, take interest in others
3. Philippians 2:1-11 main passage read aloud, having the attitude of Christ, his humbling himself to death on the cross
4. Romans 5:8 while we were still sinners Christ died for us
5. Romans 8:38-39 nothing can separate us from the love of God revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord
6. Philippians 1:27 referenced as previous week's text, fighting together for the faith of the gospel
7. John 3:16 God so loved the world, congregation invited to finish the verse
8. John 13 Jesus washing the disciples' feet at Passover as example of servant humility

Talk about it

1. The woman who shared her testimony described feeling like there was 'a missing piece' even when she had success and the things she wanted. Have you experienced that same sense that something was missing, and what did it lead you toward?
2. The pastor read from Philippians 2 that we should think of others as better than ourselves and take an interest in their interests. Where do you find that hardest to do in your everyday life, and why?
3. The sermon pointed to Jesus washing his disciples' feet as an example that 'throws entitlement out the window.' What entitlements or feelings of being above certain kinds of service do you notice in yourself?
4. The pastor said that if you ask God where He can use you, it will 'blow up in your face' in the best way, and opportunities will start appearing. Has that happened to you? What did it look like?
5. The sermon closed with the image of every person, before their feet hit the floor in the morning, consciously deciding the day is not going to be about them. What would have to change in your routine or your thinking for that to become real rather than just imagined?