FOLLOW THE SPEARHEAD
Opening Prayer
What would you include in your list of blessings? Why not spend some time thanking God for them?
Read Philippians 2:1–4
Imitating Christ’s Humility
2 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.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
This passage itemizes some of the blessings of being united with Christ. What are a few you can think of?The All Blacks have another mantra: “Follow the Spearhead.” The Maori word whanau means “extended family,” and it is symbolized by a spearhead. It implies that a family that is united, pointing in the same direction, is very powerful. This is essential for any successful team.
The inter-connectedness of Paul and the church at Philippi has been one of the main themes of the first chapter (5,8,27,30). Their unity is not just with one another, but also with Christ (1). This means that Christian unity is not really something that we have to make happen: it is a given. However, it does need to be maintained (Eph. 4:3). Paul urges the Philippian Christians to “follow the spearhead.” His emphasis on “sameness”—having the same mind, same love, same spirit (2) runs counter to our culture, which encourages individualism and the right to self-expression. However, the external threats to the church from her enemies are nothing compared to the threat posed by disunity. Just as every All Black player must be behind the whanau, so love in the “extended family” in the church displays Christ to the world (John 13:35).
Apply
What opportunities do you have this week to “follow the spearhead” and demonstrate unity? What aspects of your character do you need to submit to Christ to make the team more effective?
Closing prayer
Thank You, God, for choosing me to be on Your team. Show me how to be a true team player.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2024 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.