Additional scriptures 

Psalm 31: 9–16; Isaiah 50:4–9a; Matthew 26:14—27:66 

Preparation

Passion Sunday: Use this service when the group will not meet again until Easter Sunday. If group has other opportunities to worship around the events of Holy Week, use the service for Palm Sunday.  

Provide palms for a procession during the first hymn. At the front of the worship space display a large cross draped in purple fabric to represent the Lenten season. Have black fabric ready to swap out with the purple fabric near the end of the service to represent Good Friday and Holy Saturday.  

Prelude   

Statement of Invitation  

Welcome. Today you are invited to Journey with Christ as we follow Passion Week from Jesus’s entry to Jerusalem to the foot of the cross. We are invited to let Paul’s Christ hymn from Philippians guide our worship and speak to our hearts today: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5)  

Scripture Reading of the Christ Hymn

Philippians 2:5–11  

Singing a Christ Hymn  

“Let This Mind Be in You” CCS 169  

Sing this short song in the Taizé style, repeating as desired. Involve instrumentalists to reinforce the melody and percussion to help with a steady rhythm.  

 Taizé (pronounced: tay-zay) is a prayerful form of music that originated in Taizé France. It is simple and meditative. The Taizé style often includes a melody that repeats over and over and serves as a type of centering prayer done with music. Taizé style music tends to be easily learned and remembered. Because it is intentionally simple, the songs provide a great way to move prayer from a head experience to the heart.  

 The Taizé style could be compared to the way an athlete focuses on the game, tuning out distractions. This meditative music can help us leave behind our busyness and the outside world to concentrate on the Lord.  

OR “Here, O Lord, Your Servants Gather” CCS 335  

OR “Between Our Thoughts” CCS 163  

At the Beginning of the Week according to the Gospel of Matthew  

Jesus’s Entry into Jerusalem: Matthew 21:1–2, 6–11 

Hymn of Praise  

Have multi-generational volunteers come from the back of the worship space waving palms and saying, “Hosanna!” during the singing of this song. Place the palms at the foot of the cross.  

“All Glory, Laud and Honor” CCS 467  

OR “Sanna, Sannanina” sing several times until the procession is complete CCS 469  

OR “Halle, Halle, Hallelujah” sing several times until the procession is complete  CCS 86 

 Prayer of Gratitude  

 Response 

 Repentance Responsive Reading  

Leader: How soon the shouts of Hosanna fade.  

People: But we had questions, so many questions.  

Leader: And when the lessons were done?  

People: We prepared the upper room as he commanded.  

Leader: He commanded you to love one another.  

People: He washed our feet.  

Leader: He commanded you to love one another.  

People: He broke the bread.  

Leader: He commanded you to love one another.  

People: He poured the wine.  

Leader: He commanded you to love one another.  

People: Who is this who commands us?  

Leader: Christ Jesus, “who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited…” (Philippians 2:6)  

People: Who prepares this table and washes our feet?  

Leader: Christ Jesus, who “emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form…” (Philippians 2:7) 

Moments of Silent Reflection 

Prayer for Peace  

Light the peace candle.  

Prayer 

Spirit of Peace, We approach this time we ask that hearts be freed from conflict, that minds be liberated from twisting thoughts, that hands be cleansed from the labors of divisiveness. For we know that Jesus “humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” Forgive us and help us to see the vision of peace, hear the word of peace and taste the flavor of peace. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Peaceful One. Amen.  

Sermon

Based on Philippians 2:5-11

Renewal Meditation  

The supper has ended. You walk with him to the Mount of Olives. Jesus prays in Gethsemane. You may close your eyes and imagine Jesus’s prayer. “Not my will, but your will be done.”  

And then Jesus is arrested and taken to trial. You follow and watch the scene. He is convicted. He carries the cross and you struggle to follow along. He arrives at Golgotha and there you fall on your knees. He is crucified. He speaks his last words and dies. You are at the foot of the cross. Remember always that “he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:8)  

 Hymn at the Foot of the Cross  

“O Sacred Head Now Wounded” CCS 463  

OR “Ah, Holy Jesus” CCS 461  

OR “Jesus Remember Me” sing several times CCS 459 

 Moments of Silent Reflection 

 Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:57-61 

Take down the purple fabric from the cross and replace it with black fabric.  

Disciples’ Generous Response  

Statement  

The Christ Hymn in Philippians reminds us that “…God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) What is our response? 

Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes  

 Hymn Waiting at the Tomb  

“What Wondrous Love” CCS 454  

OR “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” without the optional ending CCS 457 

 Sending Forth Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11 

Sung Response 

“Let This Mind Be in You” CCS 169  

 Postlude 

Gathering

Welcome

On Passion Sunday we focus on the beginning of Jesus’ suffering and death as he enters Jerusalem. It is a day of contrasts: the joyful shouts of “Hosanna!” give way to the shadows of betrayal, trial, and the cross. Passion Sunday invites us to walk with Jesus into the heart of Holy Week, holding both the hope of God’s kingdom (peaceable kin-dom) and the cost of love.

Prayer for Peace

Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.

Gracious and loving God,

As we wave our palms and cry “Hosanna,” we stand at the threshold of both triumph and sorrow.

We long for peace — peace that endures through suffering, peace that refuses to be silenced by fear, peace that carries us through betrayal, denial, and the shadow of the cross.

As we remember the crowds who welcomed Jesus with joy,
help us also remember how quickly shouts of “Hosanna” turned to “Crucify.”
Give us courage to follow Christ not only in moments of celebration,
but into the costly way of love that bears the weight of the world’s pain.

Let your peace take root in us,
a peace that cries out for justice when the stones would otherwise have to shout.

And as we enter this Holy Week,
walk with us, O God — through the cheers and the silence,
through the breaking and the blessing,
through death into life.

In the name of the One who emptied himself in love,
Amen.

Spiritual Practice

Body Prayer

Say aloud: Today our spiritual practice will be a body prayer.

Show the group members three postures they will experience for this spiritual exercise:

• First posture—head bowed with hands folded
• Second posture—sitting or standing with arms stretched outward
• Third posture—both hands clasped over the heart.

Say: “A chime will signal when to move into the next posture. You will not offer any words of prayer. Instead focus on sensing what type of prayer wants to emerge from you as you hold each posture.”

Lead the group in three deep, cleansing breaths as preparation. Ring a chime.

First posture: Bow your head and fold your hands (one minute). Ring a chime.

Second posture: Sit or stand with your arms stretched outward (one minute). Ring a chime.

Third posture: Clasp your hands over your heart (one minute). Ring a chime.

Close with a spoken “Amen.”

Invite participants to share what they experienced as they engaged in the body prayer.

Sharing Around the Table

Philippians 2:5-11 NRSVue

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,

  who, though he existed in the form of God,
    did not regard equality with God
    as something to be grasped,
  but emptied himself,
    taking the form of a slave,
    assuming human likeness.
 And being found in appearance as a human,
      he humbled himself
    and became obedient to the point of death—
    even death on a cross.

 Therefore God exalted him even more highly
    and gave him the name
    that is above every other name,
so that at the name given to Jesus
    every knee should bend,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
    that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Today’s passage is often called the “Christ hymn” or the Kenōsis hymn, from the Greek word meaning “emptying.” Before diving into today’s scripture, it helps to consider the context of the whole letter.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Jesus followers in Philippi, a major city in Macedonia and a Roman colony. Roman citizenship brought certain privileges, but it also meant Philippians were deeply shaped by Roman culture, including its strict hierarchy and power structures.

Paul likely had four main reasons for writing. First, he had planted the church and remained closely connected, even though he hadn’t seen them in years. Knowing he was in prison, they were concerned, and he wanted to assure them that he remained joyful and confident. Second, he was thanking them for a gift sent in appreciation of his friendship and leadership. Third, someone was traveling to Philippi—a rare opportunity to deliver the letter safely. Fourth, he wanted to address serious challenges: persecution, opposition from competing teachings, and internal tensions, likely related to leadership differences.

This final reason helps explain why Paul included the Christ hymn. Scholars debate whether Paul wrote it or used an existing early Christian poem. Either way, he used it to encourage and strengthen the community.

The hymn poetically tells Jesus’ story. Though its meaning is sometimes debated, Paul’s intent is clear: followers of Jesus should adopt his mindset. They should think and act like Christ in the face of their struggles.

The hymn presents Jesus as the model of humility and obedience. Rather than asserting divine status, he became a servant. As fourth-century theologian Gregory of Nyssa wrote, “God’s transcendent power is more conspicuously displayed in the lowliness of Christ’s incarnation than in all the natural wonders of the universe.” Jesus followed God’s will, even to a humiliating death on the cross. Because of his obedience, he is now exalted (vv. 10–11).

The hymn echoes Paul’s call for humble obedience. He urges the Philippians to set aside ego and ambition for the good of the community. If they allow the mind of Christ to guide them, extraordinary things can happen—drawing them closer to the Peaceable Kingdom.

As theologian Amy Plantinga Pauw writes, “We have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus when we resist ambitious, self-seeking models of power; when we renounce exploitation and loveless indifference.” (Adapted from Sermon and Class Helps Year A)

Questions 

1. How do you respond when you feel vulnerable or uncertain? What might Christ-like humility look like in those moments?
2. What does it mean to “empty” oneself in the spirit of Christ? What might need to be surrendered?
3. How do I/we handle disagreement within community? How do I/we listen to understand, or tend to defend?
4. How are we, as a community, being called to empty ourselves for the sake of others?

Sending

Generosity Statement 

Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.

—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9

The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:

God of rejoicing, We share with joy-filled hearts in response to the presence of your Son. May the offerings we share bring joy, hope, love, and peace into the lives of others that they might experience your mercy and grace. Amen

Invitation to Next Meeting

Closing Hymn

CCS 469, “Sanna, Sannanina”

Closing Prayer

Optional Additions, Depending on Group

Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Communion Scripture

Choose one scripture to read from this selection: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.

Communion Statement

All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.

On this Passion Sunday let us meet Jesus at the table, remembering that Jesus walked a hard road for love — love for you, love for me, love for the whole world. In preparation let’s sing Community of Christ Sings 523, “As We Gather at Your Table.”

Blessing and serving bread and wine.

Thoughts for Children

The Road Ahead

You will need:

• A small palm branch or paper palm for each child
• A simple cross (wooden or paper)

Ask this question: Today is a special day in our church calendar. Does anyone know why we sometimes call this Palm Sunday?”

Allow time for answers. Affirm responses and say:
“That’s right! It’s the day we remember when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and people waved palm branches and shouted, ‘Hosanna!’ which means, ‘Save us!’”

Hold up the palm branch:
When the people waved these branches, they were excited. They thought Jesus was coming to be their king and make everything better. But Jesus knew something they didn’t… The road ahead was going to be very hard.

Hold up the cross:
Today we also remember that this was the beginning of a very sad and difficult week for Jesus. The cheers of ‘Hosanna!’ would soon change to shouts of ‘Crucify him!’ Jesus knew suffering was coming — but he kept going because of love. He knew God’s love was bigger than fear, pain, or even dying.

Ask this question: What are some things that are hard or scary for us to do, but we do them because we love someone?

Allow time for several short responses, then say:
Just like we do hard things for love, Jesus walked a hard road for love — love for you, love for me, love for the whole world.

What are some ways we can do hard things for love and ‘walk with Jesus’ this week? Any ideas? Affirm all responses.

Okay, let’s have a prayer and at the end we will all say “Hosanna! Amen!” Practice with me one time: “Hosanna! Amen!”

Pray: Loving God, thank you for Jesus, who shows us what love looks like — for teaching us that love is brave, strong, and gentle. Help us follow Jesus, this week and always…even when the road is hard.

Hosanna! Amen.”

Exploring the Scripture

Today’s passage is commonly referred to as the “Christ hymn.” It is also known as the Kenōsis hymn, a Greek word meaning “emptying.” Before exploring these verses, it is helpful to consider the letter from which they are taken.

The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the followers in Philippi, a leading city in Macedonia. This city was the urban center of a Roman colony. Although this meant the residents had some privileges, such as being Roman citizenship, it also meant that they were exposed to and affected more by the Roman culture than most people who lived in areas occupied by the Empire. The Roman model of hierarchical power was ever-present.

It appears there were likely four main reasons Paul penned this communication to the Philippians. First, he had planted the church there and had a close connection with the people, although he had not seen them in years. Paul had become aware that they knew he was in prison. He wanted them to know he was still filled with joy and confidence in the future despite his imprisonment. Second, he wanted to thank them for a gift they had sent him in appreciation for his friendship and leadership. Third, he knew someone traveling to Philippi who could carry the letter for him. Taking advantage of such opportunities for message delivery was standard practice then. Fourth, Paul wanted to address some difficulties the church was having, about which he had heard. These included persecutions that they were facing, opposition which they were facing from other groups presenting a different gospel, and tensions within the congregation, which were seemingly caused by a difference in leadership style.

The last reason helps explain Paul’s inclusion of the Christ hymn in his letter. Scholars and theologians are not sure if this was an actual hymn written by someone else or something Paul wrote himself. But he used it in this letter to encourage the people and urge them to stand firm in their faith.

The portion of the letter presented in poetic form expresses the story of Jesus. Scholars suggest the precise meaning is difficult to interpret. However, it seems clear that Paul wanted to suggest the Philippian disciples should look to the one they were striving to follow. They should let Christ’s mind (thinking) be their thinking as they confronted the various challenges.

The hymn declares God’s incarnation in human form (Jesus) as the supreme model of humility and obedience for the Philippians to copy. Rather than proclaiming himself to be God, he instead took on life as a humble slave. As Gregory of Nyssa (a fourth-century church leader) wrote, “God’s transcendent power is more conspicuously displayed in the lowliness of Christ’s incarnation than in all the natural wonders of the universe.” Jesus obediently followed God’s direction—even to an inglorious death on the cross. Because of his humble obedience, Christ is exalted (vv. 10-11).

Paul calls the people to such humble obedience amid their difficulties by including this hymn in his letter. He challenges them to set aside their egos, interests, and thoughts, which may not help the community. If each lets the mind of Christ be in them, wonderful and glorious events can happen that will finally lead to the Peaceable Kingdom on Earth.

Author Amy Plantinga Pauw describes what this might involve, “We have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus when we resist ambitious, self-seeking models of power; when we renounce exploitation and loveless indifference.”1

Central Ideas

1. The incarnation is the supreme model for humility and obedience asked of the Philippian followers.
2. To truly follow Christ, disciples must constantly strive to let his mind be in them rather than chasing their thoughts and interests.

Questions for the Speaker

1. When were you struggling because you were promoting your ideas and then felt the presence of the Holy Spirit providing you with a different way of thinking and approaching the circumstance?
2.  What spiritual practices might help you let the mind of Christ truly be in you?
3. Describe a time when you have witnessed a group of disciples empty themselves and let the mind of Christ enter them more fully to be able to find common consent on something challenging or controversial.

Focus Scripture Passage

Philippians 2:5–11 

Lesson Focus

Mind of Christ 

Objectives 

The learners will… 

• engage the text through Lectio Divina. 
• explore the dynamics of effective leadership through Christ’s example. 
• consider the mind of Jesus that influenced his actions. 
• discover ways to let Christ’s mind dwell within. 

Supplies 

• Bible  
• Paper and pens or pencils 
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS) 

Additional Notes

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Philippians 2:5–11 in Sermon & Class Helps, New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 59–60, available through Herald House. 

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time) 

Lectio Divina 

Provide paper for those who wish to record their thoughts during this practice. 

Read aloud Philippians 2:5–11. 

Consider: 

• What words or images come to mind when you hear the scripture? 
• Read a second time. What action words stand out to you? 
• Read a third time. What characteristics of Christ stand out? 

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

The Apostle Paul penned this letter to followers in Philippi. Years prior he planted the church there and had a special bond with the people. Philippi was a city in the center of a Roman colony where the hierarchical nature of Roman culture influenced the people. Paul wrote to assure them of his joy and confidence in the future despite his imprisonment. He also wanted to thank them for their support and address some difficulties the church was having. 

His beloved friends were facing opposition from other groups representing a different gospel message and dealing with tensions in the congregation arising from conflicting leadership styles. This letter includes what some call the “Christ Hymn.” Its origin is uncertain, but Paul uses it to encourage the people to stand strong in the face of adversity and to remember the story of the life, promises, and example of Jesus. He reminds them that Jesus is the supreme example of leadership. 

Effective leaders set aside their own ambition, egos, interests, and thoughts and seek to have the “mind of Christ.” They ask: What would Jesus think? How would Jesus respond? What would Jesus do? Moving towards Jesus and allowing his thoughts to dwell within ones’ own mind will inform appropriate actions and lead to building the peaceable kingdom. 

Paul also said in Philippians 2:3–4: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.” 

• What is Paul asking the people to do? 
• Share a current-day example where this admonition might be useful. 
• How would following his counsel build the Enduring Principle of Unity in Diversity? 

Unity in Diversity 

• Community of Christ is a diverse, international family of disciples, seekers, and congregations. 
• Local and worldwide ministries are interdependent and important to the church’s mission. 
• The church embraces diversity and unity through the power of the Holy Spirit. 
• We seek agreement or common consent in important matters. If we cannot achieve agreement, we commit to ongoing dialogue and lovingly uphold our common faith in Jesus Christ and the mission of the church. 
• We confess that our lack of agreement on certain matters is hurtful to some of God’s beloved children and creation. 

—Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, p. 31 

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time) 

Paul pleads: “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus” (v. 5). 

To have the same mind that is in Christ Jesus, we must resist ambitious, self-seeking models of power. To “be of one mind,” an “emptying out” needs to occur. At the point of Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate on Palm Sunday, Jesus knew his future was short, and it would be painful and confusing to his disciples. Yet, the journey to the cross for the Son of God was not about gaining earthly glory, honor, wealth, or power. Jesus led by “kenosis” or “emptying out” to become a servant of all. This same humility is required of all who follow Jesus. 

• In today’s individualistic, divided culture, it is not so easy to empty the mind to take on the mind of Christ. How would having the mind of Christ help us navigate issues of race, gender, sexual orientation, class, ability, age, mental illness, and other concerns where injustice occurs? 
• Spend a few moments describing the “mind” of Christ. 
• What approach would help your church community create Unity in Diversity while seeking God’s will for the congregation? 
• What spiritual practice might aid you or your congregation in taking on the mind of Christ? 

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Spend time with today’s scripture passage this week. Consider Paul as your pastor encouraging your congregation with this counsel from Philippians 2:1–2. 

If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 

Write in your journal about spiritual insights. 

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Close by again reading aloud Philippians 2:1–11. 

Focus Scripture Passage

Philippians 2:5–11

Lesson Focus

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

Objectives

The learners will…

• explore what it means to imitate, not impersonate, Christ.
• consider today’s challenges of being of the same mind as Jesus.

Supplies

• Bible
• Paper and pens or pencils
• Community of Christ Sings (CCS)

Note to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Philippians 2:5–11 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 59–60, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Begin a discussion by asking the class: Who is someone you admire and strive to be like? What qualities do you admire in that person? Invite them to consider style, appearance, personality, words or actions, talents, etc.

After they’ve shared, invite them to consider any commonalities or differences in each of their descriptions.

• Did anyone name Jesus as someone they admire or want to be like? Why or why not?

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

Today’s scripture passage is a letter from Paul to the Philippians. It includes a hymn describing Jesus as God’s revelation and true nature on earth, which is humble and exists for love of other. Paul offers words of hope and positivity despite his situation, as he was writing from prison.

Read Philippians 2:5–11.

Paul used part of the words of a hymn to help form the believers at Philippi into a strong group that could withstand and prevail over the difficulties they faced in their place and culture. We also sing hymns that guide or shape our discipleship, that move us through the sacred story of Jesus’s life, that help us learn and remember what it means to have Jesus Christ’s mind in us.

• What are hymns or camp songs that are meaningful to you or to your discipleship journey?
• What is it about that hymn or song that you find meaningful?

Paul invites the readers to imitate Christ in their relationships with one another. He encourages the church to imitate, not impersonate, Christ. To imitate Christ is to know that we are not perfect. The goal of a Christlike life isn’t to impersonate Christ but to live a life that strives toward an imitation of Christ in our lives.

• What is the difference between an impersonation and an imitation? (Impersonators attempt to make themselves look, sound, or act like someone they are not. An imitator is a person striving to live up to or become like someone they are not.)
• Why is this difference important?

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Does anyone in the group have an impression of a celebrity or comedian? Allow for short demonstrations. Invite the class to identify who the impression represents.

• Do you know someone who does impersonations? (Allow time for sharing.)
• What makes impersonations so funny to us?

Verse 5 says “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.”

• What does it mean to be of the same mind?
• Have you ever experienced a time when your thoughts, opinions, and actions were matched with someone else’s? What was that like? Did you find yourselves saying the same things? Was it surprising? confusing? fun? annoying?

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Using words or creating images, invite the class to describe Jesus including features of what he looked like and what he did.

We’re used to seeing Jesus depicted in a long robe or tunic, wearing sandals, walking along dusty roads. He has long hair and a beard. We see him in boats with fishermen, riding a donkey, healing, teaching, and preaching, and other images that relate to biblical passages.

• If Jesus was alive and teaching and preaching in our time, in our town, what do you think he would be like? Consider what he would look like. What he would wear. How he would get around. Would he be on social media? What would his account be like? What types of things would he post? Who do you think he would hang out with? Where would he go? What would be his message to people today? Would Jesus be the type of person you would want to hang out with?
• Do you think it would be difficult to be of the same mind as Jesus? Why or why not?

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Close by reading or singing one of the songs students named as meaningful in the Engage section.

Focus Scripture Passage

Philippians 2:5–11

Lesson Focus

Follow Jesus’s example by matching our mind to Jesus’s mind.

Objectives

The learners will…

• attempt to “get into someone’s mind.”
• discuss and summarize Philippians 2:5–11.
• make WWJD bracelets.

Supplies

• Poster paper or white board and markers
• Blank paper and pencils or markers
• Scenario cards, cut apart (end of lesson)
• Beads for each student with the letters WWJD
• Assorted colorful beads
• String, thread, or elastic
• Children’s Bible

Notes to Teacher

In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Philippians 2:5–11 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Letters), pp. 59–60, available through Herald House.

Gather

Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)

Display the poster paper or white board where children can see. Have them find a partner. One partner sits at the table with paper and pencil facing away from the poster paper or board. They should not be able to see the board (poster paper). The other partner sits with their back against their partner, looking toward the board. They should not be able to see their partner’s paper. Once everyone is seated properly, draw a random design on the board. The partner facing the board must then try to tell their partner how to draw the design. The drawing partner may not ask any questions. Once they are done drawing, let them look at each other and the drawings to compare. If time allows, tell the partners to switch roles. Afterward, ask the following discussion questions:

• Did your drawings ever match my design?
• What was difficult about having to explain how to draw?
• What was difficult about drawing from the explanation?
• In some ways, you were trying to “get in each other’s minds” to understand exactly what the other person was trying to convey. It would have helped to know what the other person was thinking and seeing. What kinds of things can we do to help us understand what is on someone’s mind?

Engage

Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)

The scripture passage today is a letter written to the Philippians about being of the same mind as Jesus. Being of the same mind doesn’t mean we have the same brain. Have you ever heard of the acronym WWJD—What Would Jesus Do? Christians follow Jesus’s teaching and focus on the model Jesus provided. We strive to align our thoughts and actions to what Jesus would do.

Let the children take turns reading Philippians 2:5–11, then ask the following questions:

• According to the scripture passage, Jesus took the form of what? (slave, human)
• What did Jesus do while on Earth? (humbled himself; became obedient)
• Because Jesus was obedient to God and sacrificed his own life, God exalted him. What does it mean to be exalted? (held in high regard; esteemed)
• Does this mean that we need to sacrifice our own lives to be obedient to God and become exalted?
• The last verse says that “every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” What does confess mean? (admit) How do we confess that Jesus Christ is Lord?

Formulate a summarizing sentence of today’s scripture lesson as a class. Write the sentence on the board or poster paper so that it is visible to everyone in the class.

Respond

Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)

Christians strive to follow Jesus’s example and his teachings. Jesus taught people about God’s love through his words and actions. We, too, should demonstrate God’s love to people in our community based on the example Jesus gave us. Today we are going to practice following Jesus’s example through our actions.

Have the children line up in a single-file line facing away from you. This game is like the game Telephone, but with actions. Give the first person in line a scenario card; once they’ve silently read their card, they tap the shoulder of the second person in line. The child second in line should turn around and face the first person in line. The first person in line then acts out the scenario without speaking. The second child in line then turns back around, taps the shoulder of the third person in line, and tries to repeat the actions that they observed the first person doing. Once done, the third person in line turns back around and taps the shoulder of the fourth person. This continues until the scenario’s actions have passed through the entire line. The final person in line then guesses what was on the scenario card.

Play a second round, allowing a different child to be first in line using a different scenario card. Play several rounds as time allows. Then discuss:

• Was it easy or difficult to pass the message?
• Did you successfully get the message through the entire line? Why or why not?
• Do you think it’s always easy to follow Jesus’s example and spread God’s love? What makes it challenging?
• What skills did you need to be more successful? (focus, open-minded, knowledge)
• What can you do to focus better on Jesus?

Send

Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)

Community of Christ’s mission statement is: We proclaim Jesus Christ and promote communities of joy, hope, love, and peace.

This means that we believe in Jesus and follow his teachings.” We proclaim Jesus Christ” means we try to match our words and actions to what Jesus taught. A good way to do this is to ask ourselves what would Jesus do in the situations in which we find ourselves? In effect we ask, “Does my mind match Jesus’s mind?” To help you remember, we are going to make WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets.

Give each child the string, thread, or elastic and the beads with letters WWJD. Allow children to make their own bracelet using the four letters and any other colored beads they choose. Once finished, help them tie a knot. Invite them to wear their bracelet as a reminder.

Bless

Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)

Invite the class to form a circle. Have children place the hand wearing the bracelet into the center. Ask the children to repeat after you.

Dear God (repeat)
Thank you for sending Jesus to be our example. (repeat)
I want to be like Jesus. (repeat)
Help me to be of the same mind as Jesus. (repeat)
Help me to model your love to everyone. (repeat)
I will do my best to follow you. (repeat)
Amen. (repeat)

Scenario Cards

Jesus heals a blind man.

Jesus feeds the crowd with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish.

Jesus calms the water while he and his disciples are sailing in a boat.

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead.

Jesus speaks to crowds of people about God’s love.

Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding.