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What Does It Mean to Have the Mind of Christ?

Part 3 of the Uncategorized Series

1) Philippians 2:5 - 11

⁵ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

a. "Mind" in verse 5 means from the verb to exercise; also, disposed earnestly in a direction; finally, to set your affections on. What does this mean in context of letting the mind of Christ be in you?

b. Who has the authority to receive the mind of Christ?

c. Jesus was in the form of God in physical form. We are not God but our bodies are temples of God and members of Christ. How should this realization affect our daily lives?

d. How do we grow in the reality of this revelation?

e. What does it mean that it wasn't robbery for Jesus to be equal with God? Are we equal with God?

f. How do we emulate Christ in making Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant?

g. How do we follow Christ's example of humbling ourselves and dying on the cross?

2) John 17:20 - 23

²⁰ "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³ I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

a. Jesus said that we are one with the Father and Him. Does that mean equal?

b. What makes us equal to God? How is this supposed to effect the world?

3) Philippians 2:12 - 16

¹² Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

a. What does it mean to obey?

b. To work out your own salvation in Greek means to "carry out to the goal". What does that mean?

c. God is in us for what purpose according to verse 13? Are "will" and "do" automatic?

d. How does God feel about complaining and arguing?

e. What do we hold fast to? How does that relate to exercising our minds in the mind of Christ?

4) Philippians 2:19 - 24

¹⁹ But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. ²⁰ For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. ²¹ For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. ²² But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel. ²³ Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me. ²⁴ But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.

a. What typifies a person who is like-minded with Christ?

b. Is sincerely caring for the state of others a sign of maturity in Christ?

c. Were most of the people that the author of Philippians encountered mature in Christ? How do we know that?