Welcome to our latest session of our Church Goals series. Last time, we discussed the importance of cultivating generosity in our lives as an expression of God’s love. Today, we will turn our focus to humility, a foundational virtue that is essential for living in harmony with others and fulfilling our calling as followers of Christ.
Session Objective: The goal of this session is to understand the biblical importance of humility, recognize how it fosters unity and growth within the church, and explore practical ways to cultivate humility in our daily lives.
Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:3-5 (BSB) “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”
Key Themes:
- The Biblical Foundation of Humility:
- Christ’s Example of Humility: Reflect on Philippians 2:5-8, which describes how Jesus, though equal with God, humbled Himself by taking on human form and becoming obedient to death on a cross. Discuss how Christ’s humility serves as the ultimate example for us.
- Humility as the Path to Greatness: Explore how Jesus taught that true greatness in the kingdom of God is found in humility and service. Reflect on Matthew 20:26-28, where Jesus says, “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”
- The Blessings of Humility: Consider how the Bible promises blessings to those who are humble. Reflect on passages like James 4:6, which says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
- The Impact of Humility on the Church:
- Promoting Unity and Peace: Discuss how humility fosters unity and peace within the church. Reflect on Ephesians 4:2-3, which urges believers to be “completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
- Encouraging Mutual Care and Support: Explore how humility leads to a church culture where members care for one another and put others’ needs before their own. Reflect on Romans 12:10, which calls believers to “be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
- Building Stronger Relationships: Consider how humility strengthens relationships by removing barriers like pride and self-centeredness. Reflect on Proverbs 22:4, which links humility and the fear of the Lord with wealth, honor, and life.
- Practical Ways to Cultivate Humility:
- Practice Self-Reflection: Discuss the importance of regular self-reflection to identify areas where pride may be creeping in. Reflect on Lamentations 3:40, which encourages us to examine our ways and return to the Lord.
- Serve Others: Explore how serving others is a practical way to cultivate humility. Reflect on John 13:14-15, where Jesus washes His disciples’ feet and calls them to follow His example of humble service.
- Seek to Learn from Others: Consider how a willingness to learn from others, regardless of their status or position, is a sign of humility. Reflect on Proverbs 11:2, which says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
- Overcoming Obstacles to Humility:
- Overcoming Pride: Address pride as one of the biggest obstacles to humility. Reflect on Proverbs 16:18, which warns that “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
- Dealing with Insecurity: Explore how insecurity can sometimes masquerade as humility but is actually a form of self-focus. Reflect on Colossians 3:12, which encourages us to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
- Balancing Confidence and Humility: Discuss how it is possible to be confident in your abilities while still being humble. Reflect on 1 Corinthians 4:7, which reminds us that everything we have is a gift from God, and therefore we have no reason to boast.
Discussion Questions:
- Understanding Humility:
- How does Christ’s example of humility challenge you in your daily life?
- In what ways can humility lead to greater unity within the church?
- Practical Humility:
- What are some practical ways you can serve others in your church or community this week?
- How can you practice humility in your relationships, especially in areas where you might struggle with pride?
- Overcoming Obstacles:
- What are some specific areas in your life where pride might be holding you back from being humble?
- How can you balance being confident in your God-given abilities while maintaining a humble attitude?
- Living a Life of Humility:
- How can you make humility a regular part of your daily life, both in your thoughts and actions?
- What role does gratitude play in helping you to stay humble, and how can you grow in thankfulness?
Application:
- Personal Reflection on Humility:
- Spend time this week reflecting on areas of your life where you need to grow in humility. Ask God to reveal any prideful attitudes and to help you develop a heart of humility.
- Serve in a New Way:
- Identify a new way to serve someone this week, whether it’s within your church, family, or community. Use this opportunity to practice humility and consider others’ needs before your own.
- Seek Feedback:
- Ask a trusted friend or mentor for feedback on areas where you could grow in humility. Be open to their insights and use their advice to guide your personal growth.
- Pray for Humility:
- Make it a habit to pray daily for humility. Ask God to help you follow Christ’s example of humble service and to remove any pride that may hinder your spiritual growth.
Closing Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the perfect example of humility that You have shown us through Jesus Christ. Help us to follow His example by serving others and putting their needs before our own. Remove any pride from our hearts and fill us with Your Spirit, so that we may walk in true humility every day. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Next Session: In our next session, we will focus on the theme of perseverance, exploring how we can remain steadfast in our faith and continue to grow in our walk with God, even in the face of challenges and trials.
This session encourages participants to embrace humility as a key virtue that strengthens the church community and draws us closer to Christ’s example.
Moe Bergeron 
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