Humility

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WHAT IS HUMILITY? Matthew 5.3-5

‘Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.

Write down a definition for humility – don’t worry if it’s wrong or you don’t really know…

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Humility = ‘having or showing a modest estimate of your own importance, not proud.’

So doesn’t being humble mean that you are weak or lack confidence? Listen to these words of Paul (the greatest apostle ever, apart from Jesus obviously!)…

“If I boast, I will only boast about my weakness… I am happy to boast about my weaknesses.” (2 Corinthians 12.5 & 12.9).

Read 1 Corinthians 1.27-31.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’

Why shouldn’t we think about ourselves too highly?

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Even Jesus said that only God was perfect! If Jesus had this kind of attitude about himself, what kind of attitude should we have about ourselves? If you are a Christian, you have been given eternal life as a gift. It’s not something you deserve (Titus 3.5,6).

So how can we show humility? Before we look at the Bible, write down some ideas…

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1. In Matthew 5, Jesus said that those who recognise they need God will be blessed. This is one way we can show humility – recognising that we need God.

2. Proverbs 3 tells us we should trust God with all our heart and not depend on ourselves.

3. Read Colossians 3.17.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

What 2 things should we do?

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4. Look at Matthew 18.1-4

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

What does the Bible mean about being like a child?

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5. Matthew 20.16 says

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6. Matthew 20.27 says

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7. Philippians 2.5-7 and 2.9

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REMEMBER

“Don’t think you are better than you really are. Get it in proportion. Decide according to the faith that God has gifted you with.” (Romans 12.3)