SERIES SUMMARY
As we continue to walk in step with the Spirit and multiply communities of grace that are passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus, we desire to take a couple of weeks to talk specifically about two essentials for a multiplying church: Gospel-Driven Unity and Gospel-Driven Humility.
The Apostle Paul offered the Church of Philippi encouragement as they partnered with him in advancing the gospel, highlighting how unity and humility are essential for the Church to shine as the light it’s called to be; and those essentials apply to us in our own circles of influence here in the Upstate of South Carolina.
As Fellowship Greenville Adams Mill officially launches, we are praying that we would continue to re-introduce people to Jesus and the life that He offers, as we maintain the unity given to us in Christ through adopting the same humble attitude as that of Jesus.
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PASSAGE GUIDE
In Philippians 2:1–4, Paul passionately exhorts the church to pursue unity and humility, grounding his appeal in four spiritual realities that the believers already experience: encouragement in Christ, comfort from love, participation with the Spirit, and affection and sympathy. These shared blessings are not hypothetical but actual, forming the foundation for his call to set aside selfish ambition and vain conceit. Instead, believers are urged to adopt a mindset of humility—valuing others above themselves and looking not only to their own interests but also to the interests and spiritual strengths of others. This appeal is deeply theological, aiming to transform the community by reminding them of their life together “in Christ.”
Paul then presents Christ himself as the ultimate model of humility and obedience in the well-known hymn of Philippians 2:5–11. Although equal with God, Christ did not cling to divine privilege but emptied himself, becoming a servant and willingly accepting death on a cross. This act of profound humility leads to his exaltation, as God bestows upon him the name above all names—“Lord”—to whom every being will ultimately bow. This hymn, likely an early Christian confession, doesn’t merely serve as an ethical example but as a powerful theological reminder that the church must reflect the same self-giving spirit of the incarnate and glorified Christ in its communal life.
Finally, Paul applies this Christ-centered teaching to the Philippians' current situation. He urges them to "work out" their salvation—not in individualistic terms but in the context of their corporate life as a church marked by unity and witness. Their humility, especially in Paul’s absence, is a sign of God working within and among them to produce goodwill and harmony. By rejecting grumbling and selfish disputes, they are called to shine as light-bearers in a dark world, reflecting the character of Christ. The church is to be blameless, pure, and visibly different—set apart as God’s children, living out the gospel together in a hostile environment.
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KEY INSIGHTS
- Healthy things grow, growing things change, and change can simultaneously feel like loss and gain.
- Partnership in multiplying ministry is the umbrella idea, doctrinal purity is the foundation. Unity, humility, and generosity - are the “multiplication essentials” - and Joy is the result.
- “Let your way of life reflect the worth of the Gospel.” - John Piper
- A humble life brings unity to the church, glory to God, and Jesus’ love to the world.
- Humility is a right understanding of who you are before God that results in selfless service.
- Humility is exemplified in and empowered by Jesus.
*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.
SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUP QUESTIONS
Remember these are “suggested” questions. You do not have to go through every single one of them. During this series some of you may have heard Unity and others Humility. No matter which location you attend, these questions will help you open up a discussion in your group.
Opening Prayer: Open by asking the Spirit to open your hearts to what He wants to teach you. Ask him to open the hearts of the group's members so that Gospel-centered community might be experienced and practiced.
Read the Passage: Take time to read all of Philippians 2:1-15.
- What stood out to you from either the passage or sermon? (ask follow-up questions to the initial response)
- How is multiplication shaped by unity and humility?
- What does it look like to rejoice in unity and humility, especially in seasons of multiplication?
- In what ways does the Christological hymn in Philippians 2:5–11 clarify or deepen Paul’s call to humility and unity?
- How does Paul’s portrayal of Christ’s humility challenge what we prefer and prioritize?
- Are there personal preferences or comforts that may be getting in the way of Gospel unity or humility?
- Who comes to mind as someone who lives with humility and unity in the body of Christ? What have you seen in their life that reflects those qualities?
- What does it practically look like to “honor others above yourself” in daily church or community life?
- How can you uniquely participate in the multiplication at Adams Mill or Highway 14? (serving, giving, leading,...)
Closing Prayer: Close your time by spending some time in prayer for Fellowship Greenville as we multiply ministry to new areas of the Upstate. Also, ask the Spirit to show your group how they can step deeper towards unity and humility in their own lives or as a group.
Practical Application:
INVITE: Daily pray that the Spirit shows you someone in your sphere of influence, that you know is far from God but close to you, that you can invite to church on Easter morning.
SERVE: Volunteer to serve on a Sunday morning so that those who are new to the church can attend and hear the Gospel proclaimed.