If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 2 Cor 5:17
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These pages are designed to aid study or investigation for Christian discipleship through individual Bible study, Cell groups, Home groups, or meeting one to one. The questions could be used alone allowing each person to use their own Bible.
Humility is the natural place of anyone before their Creator. As someone begins to grasp the fact that God has authority to do anything He chooses, so they learn to be humble before all of God’s people on earth. Jesus, God on earth walked in humility. He said ‘The first shall be last and the last first.’
Bible Zone
- The greatest -One who receives the lowly.
- Humility worked out - humility a response to God working in us.
- Humility Jesus’ Choice - Jesus demonstrated humility in His death.
- Humility God’s response - God exalted Jesus for His humility.
- Be Humble - Both leaders and led to be humble.
- Gain Humility - Some hints at how to develop in humility.
When Jesus was asked, “who is the greatest?” He gave a surprising answer. Matthew 18:1-4
- If you were asked who is the greatest in your church, or in the Christian world, who would you think of?
- How did Jesus describe greatness in God’s kingdom?
- What might that look like to you?
Matthew 18:1-4 1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?"
2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.3 Then he said, "I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
One of the problems we have with humility is that it is difficult to see it in real situations. Paul writes of it in Philippians 2:1-4
- What fruit is Paul hoping to see in the lives of the Philippians?
- What wrong attitudes could be the source of this fruit?
- What attitudes is Paul looking for?
Philippians 2:1-4 1 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
3 Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.4 Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
How the Lord exposed my pride and began the long process of dealing with it.
Jesus, God on earth, the one who would have the right to demand His own will, is our great model of humility. We see this in Philippians 2:5-8
- What rights could Jesus have demanded while on earth? - On what basis?
- What choices does this passage show Jesus making?
- For most, humility has a limit. What was Jesus’ limit?
- What choices would be involved in your circumstances to be like this?
Philippians 2:5-8 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God,* he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges*; he took the humble position of a slave* and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form,* 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.
The Father responds to Jesus’ humility in Philippians 2:9-11
- What has the Father done in response to Jesus’ humility?
- What will be the impact on all people?
- How does the Father express greatness in heaven?
Philippians 2:9-11 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
This obviously begs the question of ourselves - Where do we look for glory? Do we insist on the attention being put on ourselves in either blatant or subtle ways?
Jesus could take such humiliation because He was secure in the Love of His Father. We too have an identity given by God. You could explore this identity.
God not only looks for humility in people, he desires to bless those who are able to walk that way. One of the easiest ways to exercise this humility is through leadership positions, either as leader or led. 1 Peter 5:5-6
- What attitude does God have towards the proud and the humble?
- What does it mean to humble yourself under God’s hand?
- What do you think it means to be lifted up by God?
1 Peter 5:5-6 5 In the same way, you younger men must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, serve each other in humility, for
"God opposes the proud but favors the humble."*
6 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Gaining this place of humility is no easy matter. Our whole being screams in complaint when we have the opportunity to live this way. How then do we gain the grace and character to become like Jesus in this way? I would suggest that there are a number of routes.
- Recognition that Jesus is Lord of our circumstances.
- From this page, seeing the example of Jesus walking in humility.
- In this recognition learn to Trust Him in rest, knowing Jesus can overcome the circumstances that we might be trying to drive our way out of or into.
- Learn to meet with God in prayer, such that our prayers are for His will to be done. When, we are looking for Jesus’ will over our own, we can surrender to how He works out His will.
HUMILITY
