Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)

All Locations:

*************

Please check your email for a Life Group Leader Challenge that was sent out on October 29.  This challenge is for you to offer any member of your group that you feel should be leading a group.  

This challenge is two-fold as it will help leaders understand and navigate the apprenticeship process and it will encourage members to step out in faith knowing that they will have concrete tools to guide them as they lead their group.

**************

Reminders:

✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well.  This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site. Thank you!

Waters Class Schedule:

• 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
• 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
• 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
• 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service

Waters Help: Need marriage and family care  or have a group member in need of marriage and family care?   Click here:  help resources page  or visit waterschurch.org/help

Location Text Alerts:

Key Verse: Philippians 2

Icebreaker:

Q. What was one thing you wanted to be when you grew up, and how close (or far) are you from that dream?

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with humble hearts, eager to learn from Your Word. As we explore the meaning of humility and surrender, open our eyes to see Your greatness and show us how to follow Christ’s example. May this time together bring us closer to You and one another. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Key Verse:  

Philippians 2

1. Strive for Unity

UNITY is discovered in RELATIONSHIP, not the WORKS.

Philippians 2:1-2 (ESV)

We strive for unity not just with Christ but also with each other. Since you have received blessings and unity from Christ, you should strive to receive unity with each other.

1 Corinthians 12:27 (ESV)

We all make up the Body of Christ.  Parts of the Body have to work together. Not one person (part of the Body) can do everything.  The Body must work together and be unified.

Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV)  

Q. Reflect on a time when unity was missing in a relationship—whether in your family, workplace, or church. How did the absence of unity affect you or others involved, and what could have helped bring people together in that situation?

Practical Application: This week, take one step toward fostering unity with someone you may not always agree with or know well. Reach out, start a conversation, or offer help to build a bridge of understanding and respect.

2. Humble Yourselves  

My HUMILITY comes when I put GOD and OTHERS first.

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)

Paul goes straight from striving for unity to humbling ourselves before God. 

If we are going to be unified, we have to humble ourselves before God.  

Paul says not to look at one’s own interests. This does not mean that it is wrong to look at one’s own interests, but that you should treat others like you treat yourself. As you watch out for yourself, watch out for others, too.

Ephesians 5:33 (ESV)  

This scripture teaches us how we need to be in the Church with each other.  We have to love and respect each other. 

Q.  Can you think of a time when you put someone else’s needs before yours? How did it impact your relationship with that person or your understanding of humility?

Practical Application: Look for one opportunity each day this week to prioritize someone else’s needs, whether at home, work, or church. These small acts of humility build our character and bring us closer to Christ’s example.

3. Christ Perfectly Exemplifies Humility and Surrender 

You surrender and humble yourself when you stop focusing on yourself and start looking at Christ and what others need.  We need to care more about other’s needs than caring about our interests.  

Philippians 2:5-8 (ESV)

Christ’s humility is that He came down from Heaven.  He humbly walked among men, even to the point of death on the Cross.

Jesus suffered like we suffer;  He felt like we feel. He was a man, but he was God as he took on man’s form but was still God.

John 14:9 (NKJV), John 10:30 (ESV)  

On the Cross, Jesus was God in human form.

Q. How does Christ’s example of humility and surrender inspire you in your own life? What specific area might God call you to surrender or let go of?

Practical Application: Reflect on an area in your life focused on your needs or desires. Ask God to help you let go of control in this area and shift your focus toward what He desires and what others need.

4.  Exaltation Is Humility’s Reward.

I am exalted when I surrender to God and start to follow Him.

Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV)  

If we humbler ourselves and walk in His path, we will be exalted as Christ was. 

He surrendered Himself for us so we could be forgiven of our sins.

Q. Have you ever experienced an unexpected “exaltation” or blessing after humbling yourself or surrendering something to God? What did you learn from that experience?

Practical Application: Consider one area where God might call you to surrender. Write it down and pray about it daily, asking God to help you let go and trust Him with the outcome.

Sermon in a Sentence

Am I surrendered, and have I humbled myself to Christ and His will?

Key Takeaways:

1. Unity is born out of love and relationship, not shared goals alone.  Let us prioritize unity by nurturing relationships with others in humility and grace.

2. True humility means putting God and others first.  When we shift our focus from ourselves, we see opportunities to serve and love like Christ.

3. Christ’s humility leads to His exaltation:  When we follow His example and surrender to God’s will, He lifts us in His perfect timing.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank You for showing us the way to true greatness through humility and surrender. Help us follow Jesus’ example, seek unity, put others first, and surrender our will to Yours. May we trust that we are walking on Your path to greatness by humbling ourselves. Empower us to live in this way each day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.