Flipping the Script: The way up is down
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 5
- 10 min read
Study Guide: Philippians 2:5-11
Imagine two ladders leaning against the same wall.
The first has a sign that says:
"Climb higher. Get noticed. Make a name for yourself."
The second says:
"Serve. Climb down. Trust God to lift you up."
If we're honest, almost every message our culture sends tells us to climb the first ladder. Work harder. Get recognized. Build your platform. Protect your reputation. Make sure people know your value.
Then Jesus comes along and chooses the second ladder.
He doesn't cling to His position. He doesn't demand His rights. He willingly serves, humbles Himself, and even gives His life on a cross.
That's not weakness.
That's the heart of God.
And Paul says if we're going to follow Jesus, we need to learn to think like Him.
Setting the Scene
Paul has just challenged the believers in Philippi to stop living for themselves. He told them to put Jesus first, others second, and themselves last (Philippians 2:1–4). He wasn't asking everyone to become identical people. He was calling them to become one family with one purpose.
Now Paul does something brilliant.
Instead of giving more commands, he points to Jesus.
Many Bible scholars believe verses 6–11 were already an early Christian hymn that believers sang together during worship. If that's true, Paul isn't introducing something new—he's reminding them of words they already know.
In other words:
"You sing this every week... now go live like it's true."
The hymn tells the greatest story ever told—from heaven... to the cross... to the throne.
🎵 Worship Response
🎵 NEW YJJ Worship Song: "Buried With Christ" 🎵
Jesus Above Everything was inspired by one of the oldest worship songs in Christian history—the beautiful hymn Paul included in Philippians 2:5–11. Written just a few decades after Jesus' resurrection, these words reminded the believers in Philippi of who Jesus is, what He willingly did for us, and why He alone deserves our worship.
Paul didn't include this hymn simply to teach theology. He introduced it by saying, "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." As we sing these truths, we're doing more than remembering history—we're asking God to shape our hearts and minds to become more like Jesus. He humbled Himself, became a servant, obeyed the Father, died on the cross, and was exalted above every name.
Our prayer is that this song helps lift your eyes off yourself and back onto Christ. May singing these words remind you that true greatness is found in humility, true leadership is found in serving, and Jesus Christ is Lord—above every name, above every circumstance, and above everything.
Words to the song at the very end of this study guide.
As you go through the study guide, I would suggest reading or listening to the Bible passages in two different bible translations:
First read it in NASB or NKJV, then read it again from a NLT, NIV or ESV Bible.
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Walking Through the Story
Jesus Chose Humility
Paul begins with one simple instruction:
"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had."
Everything that follows grows out of that sentence.
Paul isn't simply asking us to admire Jesus.
He's asking us to adopt His way of thinking.
The mindset always comes before the lifestyle.
Jesus was fully God.
He possessed all the glory, honor, and authority that belonged to God.
Yet Paul says Jesus didn't treat His position as something to exploit for His own advantage.
Instead...
He emptied Himself by taking on humanity.
He became a servant.
Notice what Paul does not say.
He doesn't say Jesus stopped being God.
He doesn't lose His divine nature.
Instead, He shows us what God's character has always been like.
God is not self-centered.
God is self-giving.
Jesus reveals the Father's heart by willingly serving.
2.The Cross Wasn't an Accident
Paul continues by saying Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient—even to death on a cross.
That phrase would have shocked Paul's readers.
The cross wasn't simply painful.
It was humiliating.
Romans reserved crucifixion for slaves, rebels, and the worst criminals.
It was designed to shame people publicly.
Jesus willingly accepted that shame because of His love for us.
No one forced Him.
He chose obedience.
God Did the Exalting
The story doesn't end at the cross.
Paul says:
"Therefore God exalted Him..."
Notice who does the lifting.
Jesus never promoted Himself.
The Father honored Him.
This isn't a promise that humble people always become famous.
It's a reminder that God sees faithful obedience.
God's values are different than ours.
The world says:
"Promote yourself."
God says:
"Trust Me."
Jesus Is Lord
Paul finishes by looking ahead to a future day.
Every knee will bow.
Every tongue will confess.
Jesus Christ is Lord.
This echoes Isaiah 45 where every knee bows before the Lord Himself.
Paul applies those words directly to Jesus.
That is one of the clearest declarations in the New Testament that Jesus shares the very identity and authority of God.
Everything in heaven...
Everything on earth...
Everything under the earth...
will one day recognize who Jesus truly is.
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Why Context Changes Everything
It's easy to read this passage as simply a lesson on humility.
It certainly teaches humility.
But it teaches something even bigger.
It tells us who Jesus is.
He is the eternal Son of God who willingly became one of us.
He served.
He suffered.
He died.
He rose.
He reigns.
When we understand who He is, following His example becomes an act of worship—not merely good behavior.
Applying It Wrong
Humility means thinking I'm worthless.
Paul never says that.
Jesus knew exactly who He was.
Humility isn't denying your value.
It's using your life for God's purposes instead of your own.
.
Jesus stopped being God when He came to earth.
No.
Jesus remained fully God while becoming fully human.
He didn't give up His deity.
He chose not to use His position for selfish advantage.
If I humble myself, God will make me successful.
Paul isn't offering a formula for success.
He's showing us the character of Christ.
Our job is faithfulness.
God takes care of the results.necessary.
Leadership means being in charge.
Jesus completely redefines leadership.
In God's Kingdom...
the greatest leaders become the greatest servants.
Applying It Well
Choose service over recognition.
Trust God with your reputation.
Look for opportunities to quietly help someone without needing credit.
Ask yourself throughout the week:
"Am I climbing for myself... or serving like Jesus?"
Remember...
Jesus didn't simply tell us to love.
He showed us what love looks like.
Questions to Chew on and Discuss:
These questions are designed to help you personally dig deeper into the passage and help guide your discussions in your Journey Groups and Me & 3 small groups.
Looking Closer
What do you notice?
What words or phrases are repeated throughout this passage?
What steps do you see Jesus taking from heaven to the cross?
What changes after the word "Therefore" in verse 9?
What stands out about the way Paul describes Jesus?
Understanding It
What did it mean then?
Why would Jesus' humility have seemed so surprising in the Roman world?
Why was death on a cross especially shocking?
Why does Paul end this hymn with worship instead of simply talking about humility?
What would the Philippians have understood when they heard, "Jesus Christ is Lord"?
Let It Challenge You
What is God inviting you to notice?
Where am I chasing recognition instead of faithfulness?
Do I naturally look for ways to serve—or ways to be noticed?
Is there an area where pride keeps getting in the way?
What would "thinking like Jesus" look like in my everyday life?
Live It Out
What will you do?
What is one practical way I can quietly serve someone this week?
Where do I need to trust God instead of promoting myself?
Who needs encouragement or help from me this week?
Finish this sentence:
This week I'm going to stop __________ and start __________ because I want to think more like Jesus.
Journey Group OR ME & 3 Small Group Discussion Starters:
Whether you're helping facilitate a small group, talking about this passage one-on-one with a friend, or even just need a topic to guide the conversation at the dinner table, these ideas can help start a good group conversation before you dive into the passage and questions in this study guide.
What part of Jesus' example surprises or challenges you the most?
Why do you think Paul points to Jesus instead of simply giving more commands?
Where do you see our culture encouraging people to "climb the ladder" instead of serving others?
How would your relationships change if you intentionally adopted the mindset of Jesus this week?
Sum It Up
The world tells us to climb higher, protect our reputation, and make sure people notice us. Jesus showed us a completely different way. Though He is fully God, He willingly became a servant, humbled Himself, and obeyed the Father all the way to the cross. Because of His faithful obedience, God exalted Him above every name. Paul's challenge isn't simply to admire Jesus—it's to think like Him. When we stop living to elevate ourselves and begin serving others with the heart of Christ, we're not losing. We're living the way our King lived.
Experience the God of the Wilderness
Throughout the Bible, the desert isn't just a place of heat and sand; it is God’s favorite classroom. It’s where He took Moses to see the burning bush, where He shaped the Israelites into a nation, and where Jesus was prepared for His ministry.
There is something about stepping away from the "safe structures" of the city and into the stillness of the high desert that clears the noise and lets you hear God's voice.
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The Biblical Connection:
Did you know that God actually built "big meet-ups" into the very rhythm of life for His people? From the Appointed Feasts to the harvest gatherings, the ancient Israelites were commanded to stop, gather, and celebrate what God was doing. The value of these rhythms remains true for us today. We need these "mountain top" moments to refuel and reconnect.
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Here are the lyrics to the new song: The Gospel is Working
Verse 1
In a city proud of power,
Where the banners filled the sky,
Roman soldiers, marble temples,
Told the people who was high.
Then a prisoner of Jesus Came to speak a better word:
"There is one true King above us,
Jesus Christ alone is Lord."
Pre-Chorus
Not the strong,
not the proud,
Not the rulers of this age—
God has shown His heart through Jesus,
Through the cross and empty grave.
Chorus
The gospel is working,
The good news is alive.
Chains cannot stop it,
And suffering is not defeat.
Jesus is Lord,
Our hope through every storm.
Jesus is Lord,
And Caesar will not have the final word.
Verse 2
By the river stood a woman,
Lydia opened up her home.
A forgotten, captive servant
Found that she was not alone.
In the darkness of the prison,
Songs of worship filled the night.
Then the jailer and his household
Stepped from fear into the light.
Pre-Chorus
Rich and poor,
slave and free,
Every wall begins to fall.
At the feet of King Jesus,
There is grace enough for all.
Chorus
The gospel is working,
The good news is alive.
Chains cannot stop it,
And suffering is not defeat.
Jesus is Lord,
Our hope through every storm.
Jesus is Lord,
And Caesar will not have the final word.
Verse 3
Paul was beaten, Paul was driven
From the streets he came to serve.
Still the little church kept growing,
Still they trusted in the Word.
Through the years they stood beside him,
Sending help and sharing pain.
Then he wrote to them in shackles,
"Your faith has not been lived in vain."
Chorus
The gospel is working,
The good news is alive.
Chains cannot stop it,
And suffering is not defeat.
Jesus is Lord,
Our hope through every storm.
Jesus is Lord,
And Caesar will not have the final word.
Bridge
Do not break beneath the pressure,
Do not fight for highest place.
Take the mind of Christ our Savior,
Walk in courage, love, and grace.
He laid down His rights and glory,
Took the servant's lowest road.
Now His name is high above all,
Every knee will bow before Him.
Bridge 2
Stand as one,
Serve as one,
Shine as lights within the darkness.
Love as one,
Hope as one,
Live the story of King Jesus.
Stand as one,
Serve as one,
Shine as lights within the darkness.
Jesus lives,
Jesus reigns,
And His Kingdom will not fail us.
Final Chorus
The gospel is working,
The good news is alive.
Chains cannot stop it,
And suffering is not defeat.
Jesus is Lord,
Our hope through every storm.
Jesus is Lord,
And Caesar will not have the final word.
The gospel is working,
Through ordinary lives.
Homes become churches,
And prisoners sing through the night.
Jesus is Lord,
Our hope through every storm.
Jesus is Lord,
And Jesus will always have the final word.
Outro
Jesus is Lord.
Jesus is Lord.
Through the cross and resurrection,
Jesus is Lord.
Jesus is Lord.
Jesus is Lord.
The gospel is still working.
Jesus is Lord.
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