God's Virtues
Prepare for Launch
get ready with these Helpful Resources
Phil. 2:3-11; Luke 14:11; James 3:14-17
“Happy Debtors”
What's the perfect foil for a Beast? How about a handsome but arrogant villain? When Gaston calls himself "a specimen," brags about cheap shots, and invites Belle to admire his trophies, he seems silly until he self-servingly commits Belle's father and incites a mob. We know a villain when we see selfish pride. It's why we loathe the Dursleys, despise Prince Humperdinck, and find satisfying justice in the demise of Esther's real-life nemesis, Haman. Because, at our core, we admire those who humbly lower themselves while lifting up others. It's another noble virtue worth celebrating.
When we lift ourselves above others, we forget that our King lowered himself for us.
THE BIG IDEA
The Lord of Lords is "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). What an unexpected path to the top Jesus illuminates! We don't climb over others; we hold them up! "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:25).
Galileo challenged the belief that the universe revolves around our world. Four hundred years later, some still think they're the center of the universe. The delusion that everyone owes you makes life a battle for what's yours. But we deserved death, Jesus paid what he didn't owe, and everything changed because of that gift (Rom. 6:23). We're happy debtors, loving others and sharing the gift (Rom. 1:15; 13:8). Narcissism stains our politics, entertainment, and interactions. Pride is fashionable, but we can still find humility. We can show our kids a first responder's selflessness or an expert who keeps listening (Prov. 1:5), staying "open to reason" (James 3:14-17).
Where pride looks out for "number one." Humility looks "not only" to your "own interests but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4). Seeing others as equals, we consider them significant, sharing the glory of Christ's lowliness (Phil. 2:3-11). Andrew Murray rightly calls humility "the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all."
Will you be a "servant of all" today?
THE BIG QUESTION
Humility
\Lower Yourself to Lift Up Others
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Happy Debtors” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
What are you proud of?ACT I
Finding Jesus — Isaiah 42:1-9
Where do you see Jesus in this passage?
What does this passage teach you of the character, work, and reign of Christ?
What can we learn from this text about humility?Is there anything else here you find helpful or interesting?
ACT II
POETRY IN MOTION — Psalm 34
Check out 1 Samuel 21:10-15 for more background on what David experienced before writing this. Then prepare some notes, so you can move quickly, drawing an insight from each section. In a group, have one person assigned to each section, followed by a brief group discussion for that section. (For example, one person addresses verses 1-3, followed by a group discussion, then onto another person for verses 4-7.)Psalm 34:1-3
Main Point: Key Word: Insight/Application: Psalm 34:4-7
Main Point: Key Word: Insight/Application: Psalm 34:8-10
Main Point: Key Word: Insight/Application: Psalm 34:11-14
Main Point: Key Word: Insight/Application: Psalm 34:15-18
Main Point: Key Word: Insight/Application: Psalm 34:19-22
Main Point: Key Word: Insight/Application: ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
How has pride reared its ugly head in your life?
WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Put someone's interest before yours by doing something they want to do.
REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
For example: “Father, give us the mind of Christ, that we might view others as he did”
(cf. Phil. 2:4-5).
NEXT SESSION — Purity
Prepare by reading Matt. 5:8; 1 Tim. 4:12; Ps. 51:10