4.19.20 - Joy and the Example of Christ (Kenny Camacho)

SCRIPTURE: Philippians 2:6-11

Paul’s letter to the Philippians is sometimes referred to as the “Epistle of Joy.” The reasons for this are obvious when we read it: Paul is clearly delighted to write to some of his oldest friends in ministry, and even though he is in prison, he finds tremendous joy in news of their church. But where does all of this happiness come from? And how can we learn from Paul’s letter about ways we, too, can find joy in challenging circumstances? Paul centers his letter around a passage referred to as “the Christ poem,” and in these verses, Paul reminds us of the essential example of Jesus, who “did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped,” but instead, emptied himself and became a servant to all. Miraculously, the fruit of Jesus’s sacrifice is abounding joy...and by looking closely at the examples of Jesus, of Paul, of Paul’s friends Timothy and Epaphroditus, and even the examples of the Philippians themselves, we can learn valuable lessons about how we can share in their happiness. All of this helps us, once again, to better understand what it means to be on mission as a church: we are people of joy, and when we live out the principles Paul describes, that joy can overflow from us into a world in desperate need of good news.

REFLECTION/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. What were your thoughts on the Bible Project video we watched together? What did you learn about Paul’s letter to the Philippians? What do you think the “big idea” of the letter is going to be? 

  2. Read the “Christ poem” in Philippians 2:6-11 together. What are your initial observations about this passage? On Sunday, Kenny said that this passage was likely a quotation from a popular song of Paul’s day; does that affect the way you read it? How? 

  3. On Sunday, Kenny said that “choosing to trust God leads to harmony with our design, and harmony with our design, just like the resonance of a tuning fork, creates joy.” What were your thoughts about this argument for where joy actually comes from? Do you agree/disagree? 

  4. Kenny also said that we often work too hard trying to convince ourselves of something that is actually plainly obvious: it is good to serve. Do you agree? When have you felt the joy of service? 

  5. What have you been given? What resources has God given you? 

Where can you pour it out? What opportunities do you have, even in this current season, to share with others?

Kenny Camacho