You are not expected to cover every detail of this Pulpit Curriculum, rather, consider it a resource to help you in guiding your group to a deeper understanding of the Word and to gain richer profit from the Word’s application to life. Lifegroup leaders may find it beneficial to select 3 to 6 questions that will make the time most productive. Remember, there is great benefit to group members whose hunger to grow will stimulate their returning, on their own at a later time, so as to understand and apply it further.

Introduction: You are never more like God than when you are humble like Jesus. Humility is the chief of all virtues. It is the foundation of the life that honors Christ. Yet we all struggle with pride. In our study Sunday we observed the confusion of the disciples as they were struggling with selfish designs and desires for importance. Is that a struggle in your life? Can you share a recent occasion where you took the place of a humble servant? That’s what humility does.1. Humility is Personified Perfectly in Christ Crucified v. 30-32Jesus takes his disciples aside in private training to expand on the path before Him, one that would lead to the cross. He had, in fact, shared just nine days earlier this very same message. How slowly they take up His message! But are we any different? Jesus wanted the lesson of His humiliation to be fully understood and passionately exemplified in them. Do you think that they got His point? They had plenty of awareness from His teaching and from Isa. 53:10 that this was God’s plan. He would be last so we could be first with God. Yet the disciples were confused and so proud that they would not ask for greater insight.Jesus set the standard of humility by His death on the cross. Will you follow His example of humility? How will you show it to others?2. Humility Rejects the Self-promotion of Man v. 33-34We are all plagued with self-promotion. Even when we do service for God we can often make sure that we gain the applause or attention of others. What a subtle and dangerous tendency. The disciples were proud as evidenced by their discussion probed by Jesus. They were talking about who would be first. This was a subject and behavior worthy of a 1st grader more than a disciple. When asked about it they were too embarrassed to answer Jesus. But He knew. He always knows. We were reminded the “Humility is foreign to fallen DNA”. Do you remember an instance where you were openly prideful? Jesus relished being last. Do you? Is pride so common in you that others might conclude there is no place for humility? What will you do about that?3. Humility Motivates the Christian to Make Disciples v. 35-37When Jesus sits down, it is time to listen because He is going to teach. What did He teach? He took a child in His arms to illustrate what was of greatest importance. What did the child represent? Why must we get that? Jesus modeled a sweetly receptive ministry to those in need. When you receive someone in kindness, you are fulfilling the intent of discipleship. What are ways that you can do that? How do we promote this at Harvest? Who are you taking spiritual responsibility for? How are you finding ways to encourage and enrich others instead of building up yourself?4. Humility Causes Christians to Apply Grace v. 38-40In a seemingly off the subject statement, John tells of an incident where he corrected an outsider for doing ministry. He was proud of his rebuke but Jesus had a more accurate conclusion. Jesus wanted to prevent a proud and exclusive attitude in His followers. He is looking for people characterized by grace. At this point in His ministry He intended their focus to be on the grace of the cross Lk.9:51-56. John was into exclusivity. What are ways that you might express exclusivity? What are ways that our church might portray being an exclusive club for insiders? What can we do to make a difference and be receptive to outsiders?

Pulpit Curriculum

Humility: The Love of Being Last in a “Me First” World

Mark 9:30-41by Pastor Kurt Gebhards

5. Humility Will Receive a Great Reward v. 41Jesus uses the supply of a cup of water for someone who is thirsty as an illustration of a genuine follower of Jesus. Caring for someone as a service for the Lord is guaranteed a great reward. Being a blessing to someone is a way to gain God’s benefit. Who are you serving? Where are you serving? Or are you only receiving and never giving?

Mutual Ministry Moment: Humility is foreign to fallen DNA” Pastor Kurt urged us to take up the call to make disciples. Share the names of those you are discipling. Share ways that you were disciple. In your Lifegroup make a commitment together to show kindness to others in some special way. Covenant together a number of invitations you will distribute before Easter.

Pray for the fruit of humility to be evident in your life. Pray for a great surge of people to invite acquaintances to Good Friday and Easter. Pray for saving faith in the guests that come. The “Intercessory Prayer” groups during our worship services 04/01/12: 1st hour – Rhodes2nd hour – Massey3rd hour – C. Schmitz

The Way Up is really DownOf all the virtues Christ commended in the Beatitudes, it is significant that the first is humility, being “poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3). Humility is the chief of virtues and underlies all the others that are found in Matthew 5. Review the following Matt. 5 references and note how a humble spirit and attitude are necessary to fulfill each of the subsequent Beatitudes.

Matt. 5:5 You cannot be meek if you are…

Matt. 5:6 You cannot hunger and thirst for righteousness if you think…

Matt. 5:7 You cannot be merciful without recognizing …(What does Luke 7:47 add to this?)

Matt. 5:8 You cannot be pure in heart if your heart is filled with …(James 4:10expands on this)

Matt. 5:9 You cannot be a peacemaker if you believe that you are always right. You need to…

Matt. 5:10–12 If you identify with Christ no matter what the reaction of others you will experience…

Going Deeper