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Reflection #6: Who Cares? Part Two (Monday, March 26)


Our culture encourages us to look out for ourselves and it’s an easy trend to follow.  Today we want to consider if our personal interests are keeping us from investing in the lives of others.


Philippians 2:1–4, 19-21 (NIV) — 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 19 I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. 20 I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. 21 For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.


1. Make a list of some of your personal interests.  Do these interfere with your Christian life?

2. Read Philippians 2:1-4. What resources do we have as Christians (v. 1)?  What effect should that have on the way we handle our interests (vv. 3-4)?

3. Read Philippians 2:19-21.  What did the self-interest of most of the people Paul knew keep them from doing? Timothy was an exception. What was his interest (v. 20)? How was he planning to act on this interest (v. 19)?

4. By comparing vv. 20, 21, what would you say are the interests of Jesus Christ? How would you state the relationship between your own interests and those of Jesus Christ?

5. Do you want to be involved in evangelism for your own benefit or for the benefit of others?  Are you genuinely interested in the well-being of the non-Christians and new Christians you are working with?  How does your interest take shape in action?  Are your personal interests adequately under control?


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