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Goodness
At The Movies – Part 3
July 2-3, 2022
Steve Tanner
Philippians 2:1-11
Esther
Series Memory Verse: “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22–23 (p.893)
“‘If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?’ Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: ‘Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die.’” Esther 4:14-16 (p.386)
- I Am Motivated To Live In Goodness.
“Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:16 (p.736)
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 (p.900)
- Work together.
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” Philippians 2:1-2 (p.900)
- Walk in humility.
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3 (p.900)
“There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit.” – President Ronald Reagan
- Watch for opportunities.
“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Philippians 2:4 (p.900)
“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11 (p.900)
My Next Step This Week:
____ I will intentionally live in goodness by helping someone with a specific need this week.
This Week’s Life Transformation Bible Daily Reading: Goodness (p.A62-63)
Discussion/Groups Guide At The Movies – Part 3: “Goodness”
Life Groups use this guide in their discussion and study of the Weekend Talk. Use this also as a discussion guide with your family and friends.
Conversation Starters
- What do you think of when you hear the word goodness?
- Have you ever thought about where the expression ‘for goodness sakes’ comes from? Any ideas?
- Are goodness and thoughtfulness synonymous? Why or why not? Does goodness require thoughtfulness?
Quick Review
Looking back at your Weekend Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out to you, challenged you, or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and Bible verses from the Talk Notes.
Our One Thing: I Am Motivated To Live In Goodness.
- Goodness is showing generosity and benevolence towards those close to us, or who are in our circle of influence. We show goodness towards our neighbors, goodness towards our family.
- To whom in your sphere of influence could you show God’s goodness? What might that look like?
Series Memory Verse: Galatians 5:22–23 (p.893)
- See also: Philippians 2:1-11 (p.900); Matthew 5:14-16 (p.736)
One Voice Bible Story Background: Esther 4:14-16 (p.386)
- A Persian official named Haman was plotting to wipe out the Jewish people (sound familiar?), but a Jewish leader named Mordecai got wind of the plot and tipped off his cousin, Esther, who was also the Queen. She managed to turn the King against Haman and saved her people, thereby showing goodness towards them. She stepped up!
- Read Philippians 2:5-8 (p.900).
- What stands out in this passage?
- What “attitude” did Jesus have?
This week our discussion focuses on three actions to take:
- Work together. Philippians 2:2 (p.900)
- Esther is an example of God having a plan for everyone. If it had not been for her cousin Mordecai approaching her, there may have been no story. Another example is Andrew bringing Peter to Jesus in John 1:40-42 (p810). Not everyone has the lead role, yet there is a role for everyone.
- When have you experienced the goodness of serving, perhaps on a serve team in our church?
- What’s the best team you have ever been on? How did you work together to succeed?
- Walk in humility. Philippians 2:3 (p.900); John 13:4 (p.822)
- Would you rather walk in humility or be humbled?
- What have you learned about humility?
- How do you do this? What practical steps can you take to ensure you walk in humility?
- What did Jesus do in John 13:4? Why is this significant?
- Watch for opportunities. (Be a trained noticer!) Philippians 2:4 (p.900); Galatians 6: (p.894)
- What about noticing the people around us? Even at a church service! Do you pay attention to others? Are you so focused on visiting with your friends that you miss that shy new person?
- How can we help ourselves watch for opportunities?
- Do you ever get tired of doing good? Why is that?
- Read Philippians 2:9-11 (p.900) for the “rest of the story” for Jesus!
Digging Deeper
Read Romans 7:14-8:2 (p.862).
- Paul is discussing the tension between sin and doing good – he struggled with it. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything about his struggle.
- How does it make you feel to see that a prominent writer of the Bible struggled mightily in many areas? Ask God to help you with whatever you are facing.
- Yet when we accept Jesus, we can say with David: “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.” Psalm 23:6 (p.423)
- The fruit of the Spirit is not all mutually exclusive elements. In other words, they build on each other and complement each other.
- Look together at this passage in Romans. Talk about what your struggles are and take time to pray for and encourage each other. “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24 (p.926)
- Re-read Romans 8:2. Be sure to thank God for giving us the “answer” to our sin problem!
My Next Step This Week:
___ I will intentionally live in goodness by helping someone with a specific need this week.
Life Transformation Bible Daily Reading this Week: Goodness (p.A62-63).