July 6 2025, Sunday School Lesson

Affection for Christ’s Church

Lesson Text: Philippians 2:1-13

Related Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 12:4-13; 14:1-5; Ephesians 4:1-6; 5:15-21; Hebrews 10:19-25

TIME: A.D. 60-61

PLACE: from Rome

Golden Text “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” (Philippians 2:3)

Introduction

The church at Philippi was a well-established fellowship of believers Paul expressed thanksgiving to the Lord for the Philippians. Still, he was aware that there were some interpersonal conflicts plaguing the church. Notably, two women, Euodia and Syntyche, presumably leaders in the church (why else would Paul call them out by name?), disagreed over some aspect of ministry in Philippi (Phil. 4:2). Their conflict was likely disruptive for the entire church, as often is the case. One of Paul’s main purposes in his letter was to challenge them to maintain their corporate unity.

Because all the Philippian believers were in Christ, they had the potential for unity. Instead of focusing only on their own interest, they needed to consider the interests of others. Euodia and Syntyche’s disagreement is the background to the great Christological statement in 2:5-11 where Paul urged believers to have the mind of Christ, doing nothing out of selfish ambition, and deferring to others in humility.

LESSON OUTLINE

I. PLEA FOR A CHRISTLIKE MIND – Phil 2:1-4

II. PATTERN FOR A CHRISTLIKE MIND – Phil. 2:5-11

III. PRACTICE OF A CHRISTLIKE MIND – Phil. 2:12-13

QUESTIONS

1. What resources did the Philippians share that might help with unity?

2. How did Paul emphasize the need for unity?

3. What did Paul tell the Philippians to avoid?

4. How did Christ serve as the example of humility for the Philippians?

5. How did Christ’s example evidence the true worth of servants?

6. What steps in submissiveness did Christ take as He was on earth?

7. How did God the Father exalt Jesus Christ after His humiliation?

8. How will Christ be acknowledged by all creatures?

9. What part do Christians play in their own spiritual growth?

10. What does God provide to make spiritual growth possible?

ANSWERS

1. Christ was the source of their love and fellowship in the Spirit. Through each person being related to Him; they all were related to one another. Although human differences and preferences might have tended to drive them apart. Christ gave the Philippians the potential and power to have unity.

2. Four times in Philippians 2:2, Paul referred to Christian unity. He urged the believers to be like-minded, rather than each one thinking of his own priorities. They needed to nurture the love that was the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). They had to keep the good of the whole body in focus by being of one accord. For all of this to occur, they were to be of one mind, the mind of Christ.

3. From the negative perspective, Paul told the Philippians not to live for their own interest. He said, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory” (vs. 3), and “Look not every man on his own things” (vs. 4). “Strife” speaks of the conflict that comes from seeking personal gain, and from lashing out in selfishness when one does not get what one wants. “Vainglory” is empy pride that places personal ambition ahead of the good of others.

4. In focusing their attention on Christ, Paul gave the Philippians the perfect example for their thinking and living. How Christ acted in taking on human nature and coming to earth provides the model for His people to follow. His life demonstrates how God values humble service.

5. As the Son of God, He was fully God, being equal to the Father and possessing the divine essence and attributes. Despite His exalted status, Christ did not cling selfishly to His right as God. Instead, He freely gave up His rights. Christ’s humble service and sacrificial death on the cross as the Son of God did not make Him any less worthy. By doing that, Christ showed that that those who have His mind do not think less of themselves but rather choose to think more of others. Instead of selfishly grasping their own rights, they surrender their rights for the benefit of others.

6. For Christ, placing the welfare of humans ahead of His own privileges as God meant a deep and painful identification with them. Temporarily setting aside the independent use of His divine powers, Christ willingly humbled Himself and came to earth as a human being. By becoming a baby and growing up through adolescence into adulthood, Jesus was able to empathize with the full range of human needs. Although fully God (cf. Col. 1:15-20; Heb. 1;2-3), He experienced life as one who was also fully man.

7. After Christ had humbled Himself to the point of a painfully death on the cross, God the Father highly exalted Him though His resurrection and ascension and glorification. During His earthly sojourn, Christ’s true glory was veiled by His human flesh; but in the divine plan, He will be seen in all His glory at His Second Coming.

8. For Christ, exaltation after serving meant not only that the curing tongues of men were silenced, but also that in the place of taunts and jeers will one day come to the sound of every confessing that Jesus, the crucified Son of God, is indeed the Lord. The world that discounted and rejected Christ will bow before Him and acknowledge that He is indeed the Sovereign of the universe. At that moment, all creatures will recognize Christ’s true significance and worth.

9. Paul therefore challenged them to work out their salvation with fear and trembling. He did not say they were to work for their salvation, for salvation is the free gift of God’s grace. They instead were to nurture what God had planted inside their hearts and bring it to its conclusion in Christlike attitudes and actions. Since God’s Spirit had given them life, they needed to walk in the Spirit in Christlike (cf. Gal. 5:25). Their growth in godliness would not just happen. There were not to just passively wait for changes to come in their lives; they needed to cooperate actively with God in doing His will. Because they reverenced God and value the salvation that He had given them, they were to give their utmost to the development of their spiritual lives.

10. Paul reassured the Philippians of God’s help. As they worked out their salvation, God was working with them. Although they were actively involved, God was the one who provided the power for spiritual victory. As they sought to work out their own salvation, God would give them the desire for godliness. In addition, God would give them the power to accomplish what pleased Him through His Spirit.