Jesus First. Others Next. Unity Follows.
- Thad DeBuhr
- 7 days ago
- 12 min read
Study Guide: Philippians 2:1-4
Imagine sitting down for dinner with a group of people, and before the food even arrives, everyone starts arguing over where to sit.
One person wants the best chair.
Another wants to sit beside the person they like most.
Someone else is irritated because nobody saved them a spot.
Before long, the meal hasn’t even started, but the whole room feels tense.
That may sound childish, but grown adults do the same thing in more polished ways.
We compete for attention.
We want our ideas chosen.
We notice when someone else gets credit.
We get frustrated when our preferences are ignored.
We may never say, “I want the best seat,” but pride still finds ways to push itself to the front.
Paul knew that kind of attitude could tear a church apart. So in Philippians 2:1–4, he shows believers a better way.
Unity doesn’t grow because everyone gets what they want. It grows when people stop fighting for first place, put Jesus at the center, and begin looking out for one another.
That’s where this passage takes us.
Setting the Scene
Paul has just challenged the Philippian believers to live as citizens of heaven (1:27–30). He reminded them that following Jesus means standing firm together, even when life gets hard.
Now he answers an important question:
What kind of people does it take to build that kind of church?
His answer isn't better programs, better leadership, or better organization.
And it has nothing to do with buildings or locations or signage...
It's better hearts.
The greatest threat to unity usually doesn't come from outside the church.
It comes from pride, selfishness, and people making everything about themselves.
🎵 Worship Response
🎵 NEW YJJ Worship Song: "Buried With Christ" 🎵
"Buried with Christ" was inspired by the New Testament's beautiful picture of baptism—not simply as a personal milestone, but as a public declaration that our old life has been buried with Christ and we have been raised to walk in a new life (Romans 6:3–4).
This song is a reminder that following Jesus is more than believing a set of truths. It's a lifelong journey of surrender, grace, and faithfully walking with Him day by day.
Every chorus is an opportunity to declare together: "Jesus, forever I am Yours."
Whether you're celebrating a recent baptism, remembering your own, or simply worshiping the One who made you new, our prayer is that this song points your heart to Jesus and encourages you to keep following Him.
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
1. Remember What Jesus Has Already Given You
Philippians 2:1
Paul starts by reminding the believers of everything they already have because of Christ.
They've experienced His encouragement.
His love.
The Holy Spirit living in them.
His compassion and mercy.
Paul isn't saying, "Work harder so God will love you."
He's saying, "Since Jesus has already given you all of this, live differently."
When we remember how much we've received from Christ, we become less focused on what everyone else owes us.
Think About It
People who know they're loved don't have to spend all their energy trying to prove they're important.
2. Unity Means Pulling in the Same Direction
Philippians 2:2
Paul tells them to be "of one mind." He isn't asking everyone to have the same personality, opinions, hobbies, or background.
The church has always been filled with different kinds of people.
Unity doesn't mean everyone is the same.
It means everyone is headed toward the same goal.
Think about a team rowing a boat.
If everyone rows whenever they feel like it, the boat goes nowhere.
But when everyone rows together, they move forward.
That's Paul's picture of the church.
3. Pride Tears Down What Humility Builds
Philippians 2:3
Paul gets very practical.
"Don't be selfish."
"Don't try to impress others."
Instead...
Choose humility.
In the Roman world, people constantly competed for honor, status, and recognition.
Paul says followers of Jesus live differently.
They aren't trying to become the most important person in the room.
They're looking for ways to lift others up.
This doesn't mean pretending you have no value.
It means you stop making yourself the center of everything.
Ask Yourself
Why am I doing this?
To serve Jesus...
...or to get noticed?
4. Look Beyond Yourself
Philippians 2:3–4
Paul says, "Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."
Notice what he doesn't say.
He doesn't tell believers to ignore their own needs.
He says don't only think about your own.
Healthy relationships happen when everyone is looking around the table instead of only at their own plate.
Imagine a family dinner.
Instead of grabbing everything for yourself, you ask,
"Does anyone else need some?"
That's the attitude Paul wants believers to bring into every relationship.
Moving from Learning to Living
Paul didn't write this letter so the Philippians would simply understand humility.
He wrote it so they would begin living differently.
That's the same challenge for us.
Before you move on, take a minute and finish this sentence:
This week I'm going to...
Stop __________________________
Start __________________________
Here are some ideas to help get you thinking.
Remember, these aren't rules to complete. They're examples of what it looks like to put Jesus first and others ahead of yourself.
In Everyday Life
Stop making everything about me... start asking how I can help.
Stop waiting for someone else... start taking the first step.
Stop needing recognition... start serving quietly.
Stop trying to win every conversation... start listening first.
Stop assuming people are okay... start checking in on them.
Stop comparing myself to others... start encouraging others.
Stop keeping score... start showing grace.
Stop looking for appreciation... start looking for opportunities.
Stop protecting my pride... start admitting when I'm wrong.
Stop expecting others to serve me... start serving them first.
If You're Active in a Local Church
Stop rushing out after the service... start introducing yourself to someone new.
Stop sitting with the same people... start looking for someone standing alone.
Stop complaining about what's missing... start helping meet the need.
Stop waiting to be asked... start volunteering.
Stop assuming someone else will follow up... start making the phone call.
If Your Jesus Journey Is Your Main Christian Community
Stop just watching the Bible study... start joining the live chat.
Stop watching alone... start inviting a friend.
Stop saying, "Someone should encourage them"... start sending the text.
Stop staying disconnected... start joining a Journey Group or Me & 3 group.
Stop being a spectator... start becoming a disciple maker.
If You're Just Getting Started
Stop trying to follow Jesus alone... start building one Christian friendship.
Stop waiting until life settles down... start taking one small step today.
Stop thinking you have to know everything... start opening your Bible consistently.
Stop saying, "Maybe someday"... start taking one step this week.
Stop assuming no one cares... start reaching out to another believer.
At Home
Stop trying to have the last word... start showing patience.
Stop expecting your family to notice you... start noticing them.
Stop keeping a list of wrongs... start forgiving.
Stop criticizing... start encouraging.
At Work
Stop competing with coworkers... start helping them succeed.
Stop looking for credit... start giving credit.
Stop complaining... start bringing encouragement.
Stop seeing coworkers as interruptions... start seeing them as people Jesus loves.
One Final Challenge
Don't leave this lesson as more Bible knowledge.
Choose one sentence to finish before you close this guide.
This week I'm going to stop __________________________ and start __________________________ because I want Jesus—not me—to be at the center of my life.
Paul's challenge wasn't simply to think differently.
It was to live differently.
And that's where real unity begins.
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Why Context Changes Everything
It's easy to read this passage as nothing more than "Be nice."
Paul is saying much more than that.
He is describing what life looks like when Jesus becomes the center.
Roman culture rewarded people who climbed the ladder, gained influence, and made a name for themselves.
God's kingdom turns that upside down.
Jesus showed that greatness isn't found in being served.
It's found in serving.
That's exactly where Paul is heading in the next passage as he points us to Jesus Himself as the perfect example of humility.
Applying It Wrong
Unity means everyone agrees.
Healthy Christians won't agree on everything.
Unity is built around Jesus, not identical opinions
.
Humility means thinking you're worthless.
Biblical humility isn't putting yourself down.
It's simply choosing not to put yourself first all the time.
Putting others first means letting people walk all over you.
Paul isn't encouraging abuse or unhealthy relationships.
Jesus loved people deeply while still setting healthy boundaries and confronting sin when necessary.
If I just try harder, I'll become humble.
Real humility grows out of a life centered on Jesus.
It isn't something we manufacture by willpower alone.
Applying It Well
Remember what Christ has done for you.
Grateful people don't have to compete for attention.
Check your motives.
Ask,
"Am I trying to serve...
...or be seen?"
Look for someone to encourage.
Every room has someone who feels overlooked.
Notice them.
Practice putting others first.
Ask yourself this week,
"What would help this person take one step closer to Jesus?"
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, phrases, or ideas stand out to you most in this passage?
What surprises you about what Paul says—or doesn't say?
What repeated words or themes do you notice?
If you had to summarize this passage in one sentence, what would you say?
Understanding It
What did it mean then?
Why do you think Paul wrote these words to the believers in Philippi?
What was happening in their culture or circumstances that makes this passage easier to understand?
What problem or challenge was Paul trying to address?
How would the first readers likely have understood these words?
Let It Challenge You
What is God inviting you to notice?
Which part of this passage challenges you the most? Why?
Where do you see yourself in this passage?
Is there an attitude or habit God may be asking you to change?
What truth from today's lesson do you most need to remember this week?
Live It Out
What will you do?
What's one specific step you will take because of this passage?
Who can you encourage, serve, forgive, or reach out to this week?
Finish this sentence: This week I'm going to stop __________ and start __________.
How will your life look different if you put this passage into practice over the next seven days?
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.
Tell about someone whose humility made a lasting impression on you. What made them different?
Sum It Up
Paul isn't asking us to become the same person. He's calling us to become the same kind of people—people who put Jesus first and look out for one another. The world tells us to climb higher, get noticed, and look out for ourselves. Jesus points us in the opposite direction. He calls us to serve, encourage, and value others. When we stop making life about ourselves and start helping the people around us follow Jesus, unity doesn't have to be forced—it naturally begins to grow. That's the kind of church Paul wanted the Philippians to become, and it's the kind of people God is still shaping us to be today.
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.
Are you willing to come to the wilderness for a time of preparation and growth? If you feel God moving you out of your comfort zone and into a deeper dependence on Him, we invite you to join us on our off-grid property in Northwest Arizona.
Arizona Bible Experience Retreat 📅 Dates: October 17-23, 2026 📍 Location: Meadview, AZ
Incredible scenery, excellent teaching, and friendships forged from slot canyons to campfires. We have limited spots available to keep the experience intimate and impactful.
Several lodging options. Daily excursions. Shared meals, campfires, and more! Includes a day at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon and so much more.
Save the Date: The Pig Out-Play & Praise
Every September, the whole YJJ community rallies together in beautiful North Idaho for our annual gathering. We call it "The Pig Out-Play & Praise"—and for good reason! We smoke a whole hog and briskets for a week of incredible food, deep fellowship, and powerful worship led by two different teams.
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.
Registration is OPEN now! Get your tickets here:
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Your Jesus Journey is an independent, non-denominational Christian ministry. We're fueled by God's grace and the generosity of our supporters. Our team—led by Pastor Thad and his wife Kaila—is made up of dedicated disciples from all over the United States. Together, we work to help people understand the Bible, find Christian friends, and grow as disciple-makers.
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To learn more about YJJ, Thad and Kaila, and Your Jesus Journey, check out our ABOUT US section: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/learn-about-thad-and-kaila-and-the-journey-church-online.
There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at www.YourJesusJourney.com!
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.
Thank you