Hospitality from Above (Philippians 2:1-11) | Food for Thought

Philippians 2:1-11

• See also Romans 14:1-15:7

Questions

• What role does “status” play in the ACT of serving?

  • In other words, how does WHO you serve, WHEN you serve, HOW you serve, etc. change depending on what status you or someone else has?

• What role does “status” play in BEING a servant?

  • In other words, does the status that you or someone else might have change whether or not they ARE a servant? Why or why not?

• How does Jesus’ example play into either of the above questions?

• Paul calls us to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” This sounds lovely. BUT…

  • …how is this impossible to perfect?

  • …how is this possible to grow in because of the gospel?

• What excuses do we make (whether or not we think they’re valid!) in order to excuse our lack of hospitality towards others?

  • How do the ideas of self-care, boundaries, etc. roll into this conversation about hospitality?

• How has the Lord been hospitable to you?

  • What reasons did he have to NOT be hospitable?

  • Why was he anyway?

• How does Jesus’ hospitality towards us fundamentally change who we are, why we’re here, and what we get to do?

  • How should Jesus’ hospitality towards YOU be good news to your neighbors?