OUTLINE
I. THE HUMILIATION OF JESUS
I) Jesus humbled Himself by releasing His divine rights (v. 6)
II) Jesus humbled Himself by emptying Himself (v. 7a)
III) Jesus humbled Himself by taking the form of a servant (v. 7b)
IV) Jesus humbled Himself by obeying His Father in life and death (v. 8)
II. THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST
I) Jesus is exalted now (v. 9)
II) Jesus will receive His final reward (v. 10-11)
DISCUSSION
I. Read verse 5. In what sense does Paul use the word “mind”? What does Paul mean by “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus”? How do Romans 15:3 and Matthew 11:29 help clarify?
II. Read verses 6-7. What do we learn about Jesus in these verses? What does Paul mean by “he was in the form of God”? How does John 5:18 help clarify? In what sense did Jesus “[empty] himself”? How does the following part of the verse help clarify what he does and does not mean?
III. According to verse 8, what is the pinnacle of Jesus’ humility? Why did Jesus “[humble] himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”? How does this stir your love for Jesus and encourage you to humble yourself?
IV. “Therefore” what has God the Father done because of Jesus’ humility, according to verses 9-11? What will every single person eventually do before Christ? To what end will they “bow” and “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord”? What does Paul mean by “bow” and “confess”? Do you “bow” before Jesus? Do you “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”?