CONNECT: How can you grow in BOTH your experience and expression of God’s love this Christmas?

WARM-UP

1. Do you have any New Year’s resolutions? How have you gone in the past with them? Do you think that this year will be any different?
2. Why do you think the world puts so much emphasis on the New Year?

Read Philippians 1:27-30

1. What does the word to ‘conduct’ mean? How are we made citizens of the gospel?
2. What is the main emphasis in these verses?
3. Why is unity important? Where have you seen this not lived out? Where have you seen it lived out effectively?
4. If someone was to look in the windows at St Bart’s, what type of church would they see? What could disrupt our unity?
5. How could we ensure that we stand firm together in the face of pressure from the world? What practical measures could we put in place?

Read Philippians 2:1-11

1. From what basis does Paul urge us to live in humility? What would make his joy most complete?
2. Does this mean that we all have to be the same in everything? Why/why not? What unites us?
3. What is the rule of humility in living as one people? What happens when someone is not humble?
4. What is the measure of humility that Paul references? How is this distinct from all other religions?
5. In what specific ways has Jesus shown us humility? To what extent are we to be humble?
6. How does the world view humility? Is it easier for us as Christians to show humility? Why/why not?
7. Who should now be at the centre of our lives and object of our worship? In what ways is Jesus greater than all things?
8. In the new year, what rhythms and patterns could help us grow as one and grow in humility?

Apply In what ways could you grow in the knowledge of God and humility?

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On Your Frontline This Week: What daily rhythm is going to help you live for Jesus in 2022?

Listen, Watch, and Read:          

• AUDIO: “Worthy of the Gospel” by Simon Manchester
• AUDIO: “Adopt Jesus’ Death as the Test of Your Outlook” by Don Carson
• AUDIO: “Humility” by John Stott
• AUDIO: “Imitating the Incarnation” by Tim Keller
• BOOK: “Humilitas” by John Dickson
• ARTICLE: “3 Bookmarks and a Bible” by Brian Rosner