Breaking Barriers HIV/Aids Conference Bible Study Presenter: Bishop Tracy S. Malone Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

Breaking Barriers Saving Lives Reducing Stigma Increasing Awareness Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

Philippians 2:1-11 (CEB) Therefore, if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort in love, any sharing in the Spirit, any sympathy, complete my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, being united, and agreeing with each other. Don’t do anything for selfish purposes, but with humility think of others as better than yourselves. Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus: Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others. Adopt the attitude that was in Christ Jesus: Though he was in the form of God, He did not consider being equal with God something to exploit. But he emptied himself by taking the form of a slave and by becoming like human beings. Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

When he found himself in the form of a human, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God highly honored him and gave him a name above all names, so that at the name of Jesus everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth might bow and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the father. Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

Key Words Unity Humility Love Comfort Compassion Fellowship Attitude Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

Themes Choosing unity and unselfishness Blessed to be a blessing Being unified in love and purpose Doing nothing out of selfishness Putting others first Following the example of Christ Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

Themes (cont’d) Self-Emptying (Kenosis) Taking on the identity of Christ Taking advantage of privilege and position Servant ministry/leadership Those who are humble will be exalted Submitting to the will of God Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

Questions for Reflection What does it mean to imitate Christ’s humility? Why should we consider others as important as ourselves? What does the phrase “look out” for others imply? In what ways do we take advantage of privilege and position? What does “self-emptying love” look like? Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

A Call To Action How might God be calling you: to offer encouragement… to be united with… to show comfort to… Extend compassion towards… persons living with HIV/Aids and their families? Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

A Call To Action How might God be calling you to: work with like-minded people… who share the same love… who are one in spirit and of one mind… to be in ministry with persons living with HIV/Aids and their families? Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone

A Call To Action What barriers prevent you from being in ministry with or advocating for the care of persons living with HIV/Aids and their families? What next steps might you take to begin to break down those barriers? Presented by Bishop Tracy S. Malone