Reading the Bible in a Year: Philippians

As we head into Easter, we resume our weekly podcast, picking up with the book of Philippians.  This is admittedly not the directly next book in the Bible, but Philippians 2 is part of the Holy Week readings and as the podcast reveals, Pastor Rob has an argument to make:  Paul is not responsible for American Christianity's focus on the individual, the transactional nature of religion and its escapism. 

Questions:  

1)  What do you think it means to have the same mind among you as Christ Jesus?

2)  Would you say your faith tends to be more personal or more communal?  Are both necessary?  Can you have a personal relationship with Jesus if you don't have a community of faith?  Can you have a community of faith without people having an individual relationship with Jesus?  Can you nurture both at the same time?

3)  For people today, what do you think is the significance of Paul's argument that Jesus was not like other Greco-Roman gods?

4)  Would you say the best way to introduce people to Christianity is by talking about it in terms of transaction or in terms of transformation?  Or even in terms of conformation?

5)  How has Jesus Christ conformed you to his life of death and resurrection?

6)  Do you believe that Christianity is inherently escapist -- get me outta here?

7)  Do you find there are times when you are ready for heaven?

8)  Did Pastor Rob convince you that Paul is NOT to blame for the problems of American Christianity?  Or are there other problems that need to be addressed!