GOING DEEPER
07.12.2020 | THEREFORE | Wk 3: “Therefore Be Humble”
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Breaking Ground
What was the subject in school that you were the best at? What were you the worst at?
The Dig
Reflect on the value for this week: “When the Holy Spirit is moving in and among us, we maintain a posture of humility.”
What stands out to you about this value? What is a posture of humility?
Next, read Luke 18:9-14. Reflect on the two characters in this parable.
First, notice that the Pharisee focuses on his own piety, the vices he abstains from, & the sins of other people.
How do each of these prevent him from being humble & seeing himself as he actually is?
Next, reflect on the tax-collector. He only focuses on his own shortcomings & asks for mercy.
How does this teach us about humility?
Why does Jesus say that the tax-collector is the one closest to the Kingdom of God?
Why does Jesus believe that humility is so important for discipleship? Why does Jesus see judgmentalism as the antithesis of the Kingdom of God?
What does it mean that “those who exalt themselves will be humbled & those who humble themselves will be exalted”?
Close by finding yourself in the parable.
Have you ever focused on other people’s brokenness or a certain kind of brokenness in others to avoid seeing, or even excusing, your own brokenness?
What brokenness do you find hardest to face in yourself?
What would it look like to embrace humility in how you see that aspect of your life? How might this help you heal & move closer to the Kingdom of God?
If you have extra time, close by reading through the “How We Live It Out” points in the next section.
Getting Out of the Hole
Take each week during this season to reflect on each value.
Humility – When the Holy Spirit is moving in and among us, we maintain a posture of humility.
What It Means – Jesus asserts that the first will be last and the last will be first, that the highest ambition of our lives should be to serve others. Humility typifies these aims: that we strive to think of others first and ourselves second. We avoid judgment of others, always acknowledging our own brokenness and need for grace. We show respect not just towards the people around us but towards their experiences, and do not place our own experience as inherently greater than that of others.
How We Live It Out
- Our posture towards others is that of service.
- We won’t shy away from saying, “I/We don’t know.”
- All of us are human, and therefore no one is “more special” than anyone else; this includes our Wise Council, staff, leaders, owners, and congregation.
- We strive to listen before we speak.
- When we do good things in the world, we don’t need to have our name (either our personal name or E3’s name) publicized.
- We can elevate other people (and churches) above ourselves.
Journal, reflect, & pray over your this value. Note any insights that stand out or really hit home. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, & Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World by James D. Hunter
Resident Alien by Stanley Hauerwas
A Community of Character by Stanley Hauerwas
The New Testament & the People of God by NT Wright
Organizational Culture & Leadership by Edgar Schein
Leading Change by John Kotter
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, July 19: Join us for the next week of our series Therefore, where we will explore why intentional design is a central value at E3.
* Please see mye3.org for details.