Philippians 2:5-11

Leader Guide

Participant Guide

Lesson Focus

Following Christ means rejecting the world’s script of self-promotion and power in favor of the kingdom’s script of humility, self-giving love, and trust in God’s victory.

Learning Outcomes

Through this lesson, students should: 

1. Recognize that the world’s script is based on self-promotion and power, while the kingdom’s script is based on humility and self-emptying love.

2. Understand that Jesus did not grasp for status but chose to humble himself for the sake of others, modeling the mindset we are called to follow.

3. Apply the kingdom’s script in daily life by choosing to serve others, prioritize relationships over personal gain, and live with Christlike humility.

Catching Up on the Story

Throughout Lent, we have been journeying through Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Paul, writing from prison, encourages his friends in the faith to live in a manner worthy of the gospel. He calls them to unity, humility, and a way of life that reflects the mindset of Christ. The Philippians faced external pressures from those urging them to conform to religious customs that Paul saw as distractions from the true gospel. But Paul reminds them—and us—that our faith is not about outward markers of religion, but about embodying the way of Jesus.

As we reach Easter Sunday, we read one of the most powerful passages in Scripture—Philippians 2:5-11. This early Christian hymn tells the story of Christ’s self-emptying, his humility in taking on human form, and his ultimate exaltation. It is a counter-script to the way the world operates. In a world that glorifies power, status, and self-preservation, the kingdom of God calls us to a different way: the way of humility, self-giving love, and trust in God’s ultimate victory.

Competing Scripts: The World vs. the Kingdom of God

I love movies—ones with strong storylines, great acting, and meaningful dialogue. I especially enjoy stories that reflect on the world as it is, as it could be, or as it should be. But movies don’t just happen; they are scripted. Someone writes them, carefully shaping how the story unfolds. If you’ve ever been in a play, you know how this works. The script tells you what to say, how to move, and even how to react. While actors bring creativity to their roles, the overarching story is predetermined.

Our lives are also shaped by scripts. The families we grow up in, the books we read, the friends we keep, and the culture around us all provide scripts that tell us how to live, what to value, and how to respond to life’s challenges. Some of these scripts shape us in ways we don’t even realize.

For example, in my family growing up, saying “please” wasn’t common—it was implied. But when I got married, I had to be re-scripted. Lori’s family was different; “please” was expected to be spoken. These were competing scripts, and I had to adjust to maintain peace in our relationship.

This happens all the time. Every relationship we enter into requires adjustments because different scripts are at play. But the biggest script conflict we face is between the world’s script and the kingdom of God’s script.

The World’s Script

The script of the world says, “Me first!” It promotes self-interest, personal success, and the pursuit of power. It tells us to fight for what’s ours, to seek recognition, and to put our needs above others.

A classic example of this is found in A Charlie Brown Christmas. At one point, Charlie Brown’s little sister, Sally, dictates a letter to Santa, listing all the things she wants. She says, “Just send money. How about tens and twenties?” As Charlie walks away in frustration, she shouts, “All I want is what’s coming to me! All I want is my fair share!” It’s funny coming from a child, but it reflects a deeper truth about human nature: we often live by a script that says we deserve more, and we should do whatever it takes to get it.

This script plays out in society in destructive ways. It’s the mindset that leads people to cheat, manipulate, and prioritize their own success at the expense of others. It’s the same script that drives greed, division, and injustice in the world.

The Kingdom of God’s Script

But Philippians 2 presents us with a different script—the script of the kingdom of God. This script is not about grasping for power but about letting go. Instead of shouting “Me first,” it whispers, “Others first.” This is the script that Jesus followed.

Jesus, who had every right to cling to his divine status, chose to humble himself. He didn’t exploit his power for his own benefit. Instead, he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross. This is the radical, countercultural nature of the kingdom’s script.

Following this script is not easy. History is filled with examples of people who embraced this way of life at great personal cost. Oscar Romero, the Archbishop of El Salvador, was assassinated while celebrating Mass because he stood against his country’s oppressive regime. He followed Christ’s script, choosing justice and self-sacrifice over personal safety.

The Philippians were struggling with this same choice. Paul reminds them that to follow Christ means letting go—letting go of pride, of selfish ambition, of personal status—and embracing a life of humility and service. The same is true for us.

Living by the Kingdom’s Script

Paul’s words challenge us today. We, too, must decide which script we will live by. Will we follow the world’s script of self-interest, or will we follow Christ’s script of self-giving love?

To follow Christ’s script means:

• We do not define ourselves by our status, wealth, or achievements.

• We do not hold tightly to our own way of doing things but seek unity with others.

• We let go of personal ambition for the sake of serving others.

• We trust that true exaltation comes not from power, but from humility and faithfulness to God.

Easter Sunday is the ultimate confirmation that this script leads to life. The world’s script tells us that self-sacrifice leads to loss, but the kingdom’s script reveals that self-sacrifice leads to resurrection. Jesus humbled himself to the point of death, but God raised him up and gave him the name above all names.

If we truly have the mind of Christ, then our goal is not merely to secure our own salvation. It is to participate in God’s redemptive work in the world, emptying ourselves for the sake of others so that all creation might be restored.

Discussion Questions

1. What does it mean to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus, according to Philippians 2:5-11?

2. How does Paul contrast the world’s way of thinking with the way of Christ in this passage?

3. Can you think of examples from your own life where you’ve had to choose between competing scripts?

4. How does Jesus’ humility and self-emptying challenge the way we typically think about success and power?

5. In what ways does Easter Sunday confirm that the kingdom’s script is the true path to life?

6. How can we practice self-emptying love in practical ways within our families, friendships, and communities?

7. Why do you think Paul connects humility with unity in the church?

8. What are some cultural narratives that conflict with the kingdom’s script? How can we resist them?

9. How does Jesus’ exaltation after his humility and suffering shape our hope as his followers?

10. What is one concrete way you can live out the kingdom’s script this week?

Works Cited

Fred B. Craddock, Philippians, Interpretation, a Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching (Atlanta, GA: J. Knox Press, 1985).

Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996). 

Lynn H. Cohick, Philippians, The Story of God Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2013).