KE Group Questions
Week of September 27, 2026

The Altitude of Humility
Based on Philippians 2:1-11

Overview
This week's message from Philippians 2:1-11 challenged us to examine the attitudes that either build or break unity in the body of Christ. Pastor Steve walked us through Paul's urgent appeal to the Philippian church, which was struggling with selfishness and division, and pointed us to the ultimate example of humility: Jesus Christ, who willingly emptied himself of his divine privileges to become a servant for our sake. The central truth is this: unity is achieved through humility, and humility looks like Jesus.

Key Takeaways

• Unity in the body of Christ is not automatic. It requires intentional, Christ-like attitudes and choices.
• The two primary unity breakers Paul identifies are selfishness, which is rivalry and envy, and empty conceit, which is an inflated view of oneself that has no basis in reality.
• The two primary unity builders are humility of mind and genuine concern for the interests of others above your own.
• Jesus is the supreme model of humility. Though equal with God the Father, he did not hold tightly to his divine privileges but emptied himself, taking on the form of a servant.
• The world pushes three deadly P's: power, prestige, and possessions. The Christ-like life pushes back against all three.
• Having the mind of Christ is not a suggestion. It is a command. Paul says, "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2:5).
• Taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 10, is a practical daily discipline for maintaining a humble, unified spirit.

Discussion Questions
Opening Question
Use this question to help the group ease into conversation before going deeper.

1. Think of someone in your life, past or present, who modeled genuine humility. What did that look like in their everyday behavior? How did it affect the people around them?

Understanding the Text

2. Pastor Steve described the Philippian church as behaving like donkeys, kicking each other instead of working together. In what ways do you see that same pattern show up in churches, families, or workplaces today?
3. Paul uses the word "any" several times in Philippians 2:1 when appealing to the church. He says, in effect, if you have found anything good in Christ, let it produce unity. Why do you think Paul frames his appeal that way? What does it tell us about how he viewed the connection between our experience of Christ and how we treat one another?
4. Pastor Steve explained that the Greek word for selfishness in verse 3 carries the idea of rivalry and envy, and that empty conceit means holding an elevated view of oneself that has no basis in reality. Which of these two unity breakers do you think is more subtle and harder to recognize in yourself? Why?
5. Philippians 2:7 says Jesus emptied himself, a concept known in theology as kenosis. He did not give up his divine nature, but he laid aside the privileges and rights that came with it. What specific privileges or rights did Jesus surrender by taking on human flesh? Why is it significant that he chose to do this voluntarily?

Going Deeper

6. Pastor Steve said, "The way up is down." What does that mean in practical terms for how we pursue influence, recognition, or leadership in the church and in our daily lives?
7. The sermon identified three things the world tells us to chase: power, prestige, and possessions. Where do you personally feel the pull of these the strongest? How does the example of Jesus challenge or reframe that pull?
8. Pastor Steve pointed to 2 Corinthians 10 and the call to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. What does that discipline actually look like on an ordinary Tuesday? How do you practically bring your attitudes and thoughts before Jesus and measure them against his example?
9. Bruce Woodson's message was referenced: "We are all in the same boat." How does genuinely believing that truth, that no one is worse or better than anyone else, change the way we relate to people we find difficult or people we are tempted to look down on?

Personal Reflection

10. On a scale from microscope to telescope, how would you honestly describe your current focus? Are you mostly zoomed in on your own needs, preferences, and feelings, or are you looking outward toward the needs of others? What would it take to widen your lens?
11. Is there a relationship in your life right now where pride, selfishness, or the desire to be right is creating distance or tension? Without sharing more than you are comfortable with, what would a humble, Christ-like step forward look like in that situation?
12. The sermon closed with the question of whether our words, thoughts, and actions can be met with "amen," meaning they reflect Christ. As you look at the past week, where can you honestly say amen? Where do you need to make a correction?

Practical Applications
Choose one or more of the following to put into practice before your group meets again.
1. The Thought Audit Once each day this week, pause and identify one attitude or thought you are carrying about a person or situation. Bring it before Jesus honestly and ask: does this reflect your mind, or mine? Write down what you sense him saying.
2. The Interests of Others Identify one person in your life whose interests you have not been actively considering. Take one concrete action this week that puts their needs or preferences above your own, without telling them you are doing it.
3. The Unity Builder If there is tension between you and another member of your church, your family, or your community, take the first step toward reconciliation this week. You do not have to resolve everything. Simply reach out, lower your guard, and choose the posture of a servant.
4. Scripture Meditation Read Philippians 2:1-11 slowly each morning this week. On the first day, focus on the unity breakers. On the second day, focus on the unity builders. On the third day, focus on the example of Jesus. On the fourth day, ask God what one specific change he is calling you to make. On the fifth day, write out a prayer of commitment.
5. The Affirmation Practice Each day this week, look for one genuine quality or contribution in someone around you and tell them directly. Practice regarding others as more important than yourself in a visible, verbal way.

Closing Prayer Points
Close your group time by praying together over the following:

• Ask God to reveal any areas of selfishness or empty conceit that have been creating distance in your relationships.
• Pray for genuine unity in your church, your small group, and your family.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to form the mind of Christ in each group member, not as a one-time event but as a daily, ongoing transformation.
• Pray for those who are suffering physically, as lifted up during the service, that God would demonstrate his power and bring healing and restoration.
• Thank God that Jesus did not hold tightly to his rights but gave them up willingly, making a way for you to be restored to the Father.

Memory Verse for the Week
Philippians 2:5 -- Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.
Write it out. Carry it with you. Let it be the question you ask yourself before you speak, before you react, and before you decide.

Growing spiritually takes a daily personal walk with God and a gathering together in fellowship with other believers.

Our corporate gathering is for equipping the saints, but meeting in small groups allows regular individual
participation so that personal needs can be addressed.

Small groups also foster growth in ministering the gifts of the Holy Spirit, accountability, and the support
necessary to be a healthy member of the family of God.

The leadership of Praise Tabernacle has encouraged group leaders to be missional and evangelistic
in their approach to leading these groups.

The ultimate goal is Kingdom Expansion.

KE  (KINGDOM EXPANSION)  
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