Explanation
This is how you view God and others in relation to yourself. Do you perceive (perhaps subconsciously) that you do not need God or that you are better than some people? Humility thrives with a proper understanding of our relationship with God and others. Do you chafe at the idea that God has a right to hold you accountable? On the other hand, do you view God with awe, respect and an understanding that He has a right to be God both in your life and in his world? Humility is different than obedience. (Although related, humility willingly accepts that God has authority, obedience willingly submits to that authority. Pride denies God’s authority or our need for God. Disobedience may accept that God has authority, but rebels against it.) Pride also manifests in our relationships with others. Do we feel superior to others or do we recognize that we are all in the same state: fallen, yet loved by a merciful and gracious God? Do we view others as having intrinsic value and worth as created in God’s image? Do we see others as objects of love, grace, forgiveness and service? On the other hand, do we view others as not worthy of our time or attention? Are we glad that we are not like ‘those’ people? Do you put on airs? Are you hyper critical? Are you a braggart? Do you have a great ‘me’ complex? In summary, do you respect and value others?
KEY SCRIPTURES
Key Scriptures
Key Scriptures are designed to give a biblical overview of the topic in question. They are extremely valuable for gaining an immediate general understanding of what the Bible teaches on a given subject. Key Scriptures are the first place you should explore when starting a new subject. They can be discussed individually, in part, or in whole. Generic inductive Bible study questions are provided to assist you in your discussion. Key Scriptures are also good for memorizing and reference.
Humility
James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. NIV
Proverbs 11:2 – When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. NIV
Philippians 2:3-4 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. NIV
Colossians 3:12-14 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. NIV
Matthew 23:11-12 – The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. NIV
See also Isiah 66:2, Titus 3: 1-2, & 1 Peter 5:5-6
Pride
Proverbs 11:2 – When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. NIV
Romans 12:16 – Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. NIV
See also Proverbs 16:5; 16:9, 16:18; 21:4 & 29:23, and Isaiah 2:11
Thankfulness and Gratitude
Colossians – 4:2 – Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. NIV
Hebrews 12:28 – Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful. NIV
Colossians 3:16-17 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. NIV
Inductive Bible Study Questions
to be used with individual Key Scriptures
- What is the primary point of this passage?
- How does this passage challenge us?
- How does this passage comfort or encourage us?
- What does this passage teach us about God?
- What spiritual insights are found in this passage?
- What are the personal & spiritual implications of this text?
- What does this passage ask or require of us?
Key Scriptures Bible Study
to be used when studying all Key Scriptures together
- Did any of the scriptures given surprise you? Explain
- Did any of the scriptures given confuse you? Explain
- Did any of the scriptures given comfort or excite you?
- How would you sum up these scriptures to another?
- What implications do these scriptures have for our lives?
- Which of these scriptures would you find it valuable to memorize?
DISCUSSION GUIDES
GROWING EXERCISES
- Give 100 compliments in a single week.
- Make a list of at list 50 reasons why God is amazing.
- Go an entire week without any self-reference or attempt to build up self.
- Make an exhaustive written list of all your sins and shortcomings and pray every day for a week for God to forgive those sins.
- Begin a daily prayer time that involves adoration/praise, confession of sins, thanksgiving to God and intercession for strength to live as God desires.
- Write a letter to God expression gratitude for everything he has given you and done in your life, express to him how worthy he is of worship and surrender, apologize for all of the ways you have turned aside from him, express your commitment to follow him.
- Write a letter expressing gratitude to someone who has been instrumental in your life.
- Invite someone to lunch who is very different from you: someone you may not otherwise socialize with: a subordinate, someone from a different ethnicity, culture, sub-culture, economic status, or station. Try not to talk about yourself. Get to know that person. Ask questions about them. Be engaging. Try to build a real friendship.
- Correct a misunderstanding you may have given another while boasting or puffing to another. It’s easy to get carried away while trying to make an impression. Have you taken that too far? If so, go to that person and humbly tell the truth.
- Perform several tasks around your home, workplace or community that are not your normal role that you may consider beneath you. Clean the bathroom, pick up garbage, stuff like that. Be careful to do them without relishing any credit or attention. In fact, the danger here is that you take pride in doing such humble tasks.
- Intentionally capitulate in an ongoing conflict, argument or power struggle. Identify a situation where you seem to be in a contest of wills with a spouse, co-worker or friend. Simply allow that other person to have their way in a spirit of humility, meekness and service. The idea here is to be more aware of a “me” orientation rather than a God or others orientation. We all have many conflicts of wills in our lives, a big part of winning the battle is simply being able to identify them. Actually winning the battle is being willing to let them go and not having to win all of the time.
- Reject your brand. Personal branding or carefully crafting how we desire others to see us is common practice today. The car we drive, the clothes we wear, the coffee we drink, the technology we own, the church we go to and many other things are selected by how they make us appear to others. We want approval. We want to be cool. We want to be liked. We want to be loved. This is so second nature that many people do not even realize they do it. Some cannot tell the difference between the crafted image they project to the world and the real person inside. How real are you willing to get? How self-aware are you? Inventory your life choices and purchases? Which decisions do you make primarily because of how they make you look or feel about yourself? Which possessions make you feel better about yourself or superior simply because you own them? Which of these may actually be a hindrance to a healthy and humble view of self? Which of these may God desire you to put away? Make a list of actions you can take to create an honest healthy impression of yourself with others. For example, change Facebook posts that may seem pretentious, buy the $2 cup of coffee that tastes the same as the $4 cup of coffee with the great brand, or choose more modest clothes.
RECOMMENDED READING
- From Pride to Humility by Stuart Scott
- The Raggamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
- Humilty: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney
- Humilty by Andrew Murray
- Gospel-Powered Humility by William Farley
- The Pursuit of God by W. Tozer
- Knowing God by J.I. Packer
- The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan
- Adele Ahlberg Calhoun – Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, (Readings on worship, celebration, teachability, confession and self-examination, submission, service, humility, justice, stewardship, all prayer readings)