Be aware of Needs
Use the parts that are appropriate to your situation. Spend some time weekly to reflect on the previous week’s theme and try to implement suggestions from the sermon for real-life application.
Use the sermon and class notes for individual study found online: livinghopebranch.org
This Week’s Scriptures
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
“I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants”
Music for Your Devotion
- “Make me a Servant” CH 669
- “The Servant Song” CH 424
- “Brothers & Sisters, Let us Gladly” HR487
Devotional Discussion
The Apostle Paul taught the believers in Philippi to stop being selfish and prideful and to instead treat others and think of others more than themselves. King Benjamin shared the same idea. He told his people to give food to the hungry, clothes to those in need, and comfort to the sick. When we help others with our time and our resources, we show true love.
Jesus Christ did not live to please Himself. He served everyone He met. When we do the same, our hearts change, and we see with His eyes, we hear with His ears, as led by the spirit we think with His thoughts, and we love with His heart.
The key ideas to explore are humble love, giving to the poor, and serving others daily. Serving others is not just giving things; it means helping people in their spirit and their body. There are psychological and cultural components to selflessness. Philippians 2:3-4 and Mosiah 2:43 challenge us to re-examine our priorities, looking past our own wants and comforts to notice the needs of others (which can often be hidden).
Consider This: Humility in the Workplace
Imagine a high-stakes corporate environment where an executive, is competing for a major promotion against a colleague. The colleague makes a critical, public error on a project brief that only the executive notices before the presentation to the board. Selfish ambition whispers to let him fail, following the world’s way ensuring one’s own advancement. The Philippians way of humility moves the executive to pull the colleague aside privately, point out the error, and help him fix it, because it’s the right thing to do - actively valuing the other person’s career and dignity over immediate self-interest.
King Benjamin’s address says that we should impart of our substance “both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants.” We often separate these categories. We might write a check to a charity (temporal) but keep our distance from the messy lives of broken people. Alternatively, we might offer “thoughts and prayers” (spiritual) while ignoring physical hunger. Benjamin states that true discipleship integrates both.
Consider This: Robert’s Story
Consider an adult neighbor, Robert, whose yard is overgrown, whose house is falling apart, and who snaps at anyone who walks by. He smells of neglect, and his home is an eyesore. Most neighbors avoid him, labeling him a nuisance or a lost cause. You discover Robert is a grieving widower struggling with severe depression and failing physical health. Imparting substance here looks like mowing his lawn without asking (temporal relief) and sitting on his porch to listen to his grief, even when he is initially prickly or unpleasant (spiritual relief).
Put It Into Practice
Application/Todo:
- When we give, do we give what is convenient for us to discard, or what a person actually wants and needs?
- Instead of dropping random items at a donation bin, contact a local shelter and ask for their specific, high-priority shortages (often socks, underwear, or hygiene products).
- Create a fund” in your monthly budget—both of time and money—specifically set aside for spontaneous, unmapped relief. When a coworker's car breaks down or a friend faces a sudden medical bill, you are already liquid and ready to minister to their relief without hesitation.
The 24-Hour Mirror Test
For one full day, audit your conversations. Are you listening to understand, or are you waiting for your turn to speak to assert your knowledge? Practice asking two follow-up questions before sharing your own opinion or story.
On social media, intentionally celebrate, share, or elevate the accomplishments of a friend, neighbor, peer or competitor expecting absolutely nothing in return.
Discuss Together
- What does it mean to put other people's needs before your own?
- Who is one person you can help today, and how will you do it?
- How do you feel inside when you do something nice for someone and expect nothing back?
- Think of a time you stood in the stead of Christ, seeing someone as Jesus would see them, listening to someone as Jesus would listen, and loving someone as Jesus would love them.
- How can you apply these scriptures and suggestions in your daily life?
Kid's Corner
Read the Story of Alex and Henry
Story: Alex sat alone on the school bench during recess. He wore old, torn shoes, stared at the ground, and had a big, angry scowl on his face. He looked very grumpy, and because he hadn't had a chance to wash his clothes, he also smelled a bit like old, sweaty socks. Henry saw him from across the playground. Sam's friends were laughing and playing a game, but Henry felt a quiet tug in his heart. He closed his eyes for a second and whispered, “Jesus, help me see him the way You do.”
When Henry opened his eyes, he did not just see a smelly, grumpy boy in old shoes anymore. He saw a boy who was hurting, lonely, and left out. Henry walked away from his friends, sat down right next to Alex, and ignored the bad smell. He smiled and said, “Hey, I'm Henry. Do you want to play catch with me?” Alex looked up, surprised. His grumpy scowl melted away into a huge smile. By looking past the outside, Henry used Jesus' eyes to find a friend, and he used Jesus' heart to make him feel loved.
Make the “Heart-Lens” Glasses
What you need: Pipe cleaners (or construction paper, scissors, and markers).
Directions: Give each person two pipe cleaners. Twist the middle of each pipe cleaner into a heart shape to form two “eyepieces.” Connect the two hearts in the middle and use extra pieces to make the temple arms that sit on your ears. Have everyone put on their heart-shaped glasses.
Loving Like Jesus Loves Illustration
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Open the Printable Devotional
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