Read Philippians 2:1-2. Consider the word ‘consolation’ to mean ‘encouragement’. That you be likeminded is Paul's way of saying, "Resolve these differences." It is easy tosee that thisplaces the responsibility on each person to do what they need to do to heal the fractured relationship. Discuss an example of how God used you to reconcile a broken relationship.

Read I Peter 5:5-7 and James 4:7-10. Humility impresses God and humility, as these passages clearly show, is a choice. We choose to submit to God. Discuss what it means to you to choose, to live in, humility.

Read Philippians 2:9-11. In your current walk, are you serious about bringing glory to God? How do you personally attempt this? How do you know when you have accomplished this?

Read Philippians 2:14-15. Theologian J. Dwight Pentecost said that the whole world lies in the lap of Satan. Paul writes here that society around us is crooked and perverse. How is the Christian to live, according to these verses? What is our responsibility to the lost masses?

Read I Corinthians 13:4 and Proverbs 27:2. The Corinthians to whom this first passage was written originally wanted the most glamorous spiritual gifts. They wanted the public attention from people observing: “This is how God is speaking through him; this is how God is using him.” All such boasting is rooted in pride, in exalting ourselves, flaunting our gifts and abilities, our knowledge, our accomplishments, the desire to appear important; in having others think that we’re spiritual, or successful, or competent, or prosperous. While jealousy wants what someone else has, boasting is trying to make others jealous of what we have. Discuss the subtle ways we can boast without appearing to be boasting.

Read Philippians 2:16-18. It takes faith to exercise the submissive mind. We must believe that God’s promises are true. God works in us through the Word, prayer and suffering, and we work out, in daily living and service. With Christ’s example and the Spirit’s energy, what does Paul say is the result? Neither inward nor outward peace can be enjoyed without lowliness of mind. Discuss the spiritual concept of submissiveness producing joy.

Read Galatians 2:20 and Romans 8:29. You can let God operate in and through you by emptying out your own self-reliance, and obeying God. The cross is paramount. This ‘death’ spoken of here is operating to transform us out of ourselves into the Spirit, and we increasingly commune with the Spirit in and through our spirit, resulting in our selves become motivated, or fueled, by spiritual energy as opposed to the energy produced by the world and its systems. Consider how humility is uniquely related to obedience.