Taking the Form of a Servant
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Read on BibleGatewayTaking the Form of a Servant
Key Verse 7: “but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”
Look at verses 1-4.
What is a common motivation for people in the world?(3a) What does Paul encourage the Philippians (and us) to do?(2-4) What should be our starting point for living in this new way?(1) What is a practical example of what it is like to experience one of the items listed in verse 1?
V5-8.
What did Jesus do?(7-8) How was Jesus the best example of someone who humbled themselves to become a servant?(6) How does knowing that Jesus humbled himself and took the form of a servant give us confidence that we can do the same?(5)
V9-11.
What will happen to us if we become servants? What happened to Jesus after he humbled himself, even to the point of death? What heavenly principle is being demonstrated? (Matthew 23:12)
Application: What does it mean to you to take the form of a servant? What could be a practical example of how you can live this out in your life this week? What about more long term?
Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.