Keeping Place / week 4

Watch the video for session 4 of Keeping Place at RightNow Media and answer the following questions for class

BIBLE EXPLORATION Philippians 2:1–8. What is Paul telling the church to do in the first two verses? What unifies them?

According to verses 3 and 4, how can the church achieve this goal of being unified? How do you feel when someone puts your interests over his or her own? Why?

Why do you think Paul tells the church to meet other people’s needs above their own? If everyone looked to other people’s interests, what might happen? What interests would someone have to put aside to look to the interests of others?

Would you say it’s difficult or easy for you to think of others above yourself? Why do you think we often look to our own interests?

What do verses 6 through 8 say about Jesus and His mindset? What about Jesus’ mindset convicts you?

What could it look like to love others in the same way that Christ loved us? What might you be asked to sacrifice?

What do you risk by thinking of your husband, friends, or family first? What fears do you have about putting the interests of your spouse above your own? And if you’re single, what fears do you have about putting your friend’s or family’s needs over yours?

Take a moment to think of Jesus’ love and all that He sacrificed to save us. How does His love for you shape your attitude toward loving others?

Romans 12:13. How would you define hospitality? What are some ways other people have been hospitable to you? How did their intentionality make you feel?

What do you potentially sacrifice in order to practice hospitality? Do you have the habit of inviting others into your home? What’s one excuse you’d have to set aside in order for hospitality to become a regular habit?

Luke 14:23. How does Jesus’ welcome toward us shape what you think about hospitality?

1 Corinthians 13:4–7. What do you think about this kind of love? What seems impossible? Exciting?

DEEPER WALK Select at least one activity below to complete before next week. Study: Study the stories of Michal (1 Samuel 18–19 and 2 Samuel 6) and Abigail (1 Samuel 25) this week. Take note of how God used them in the life of David and consider the principles Jen pointed out about marriage.

Serve: Choose one person to love sacrificially this week. Go out of your way to serve them and show them you care. Show them hospitality, listen when they talk to you, write them a kind note, or get creative!

Host: Invite family or friends over for dinner this week. Instead of stressing over details like the cleanliness of your house or the menu, focus on how you can best serve the people you invite over. Think of intentional questions you can ask them and listen to their stories.

Pray: Maybe God is asking you to press in to your marriage or relationships. Spend time in focused prayer this week asking God to teach you to love like Jesus. Pray for your spouse, friend, or family member. Pray for perseverance and strength as you seek to press in.