Areas of Humility 1. The humility of being approachable 2. The humility of being correctable

1. 1. A friend texts you and asks if you can get together for lunch. Your friend explains that he has some concerns about your spiritual health. Most likely, you would. . . (check all that apply) A. Dread the idea and look for excuses to avoid such a meeting. B. Immediately get defensive and think about the person’s own spiritual shortcomings. C. Be willing to meet, but eager to get it over with. D. Be eager to meet so as to understand and give consideration to your friend's observations. E. Feel genuinely grateful to have someone in your life who would be willing to confront you in love.

2. 2. You are asked to teach or lead a lesson for a small group. When you pause for questions, a member of the group raises her hand and challenges your interpretation of a scripture passage. She makes a good case for an alternative interpretation- one you haven't encountered before, causing you a degree of embarrassment. Which of the following responses is easiest to imagine? A. "Thanks for giving that interpretation. It's not only interesting, but compelling. I'll have to look into that some more." B. "Well, let's keep moving since we are short on time." C. "That's not a popular interpretation and I doubt you'll win many converts to it." D. "Please see me after class."

3. 3. You are in a hurry to leave church one Sunday and Brother Biff's old junker won't start (again). Second Sunday in a row that he needs a jump. Unfortunately, you happen to be parked right next to him. As you pull the jumper cables out of the trunk, what is most likely going through your mind? A. You wonder why he doesn't work harder so he can afford to drive something that won't inconvenience everyone around him. In fact, he could stand to dress a little better too. B. You quietly thank God for your own dependable car and offer a brief prayer that Biff will be able to find an affordable upgrade before winter. C. You thank God for the opportunity to serve Biff and start planning what you will say to encourage a guy who seems to have a lot of struggles. D. You dread having to talk to him since he's a bit on the socially-awkward side and you wonder if it would be too rude to sit in your car as his battery charges.

4. 4. You come in on a Saturday to do a special project for the church. There was some planning and a little cost involved, which you were happy to cover. As you are working, Nate Elkington happens to wander in and lends you a hand. The next day, Wendell is so excited and impressed that he mentions to the church the great work that Nate did on the project. He thanks him profusely, completely forgetting you and excluding you from recognition. You would probably be. . . A. Angry and hurt for days, weeks, or even months. B. Angry and hurt at the moment, but over it quickly. C. A little hurt, but not angry. D. Mostly unfazed and wouldn't even remember the omission a few weeks later. E. Perfectly fine with the omission and slightly amused by it. F. Thankful for the opportunity to serve, confident God will reward you for what was unseen by men, and glad Nate was recognized for the servant he is.

5. 5. You make a joke about an embarrassing situation that your friend had to endure years ago. Although he has joked about it himself, you can tell by his reaction that you actually hurt his feelings. You go home and as you think about it more, you realize that you went over the line and have to admit to yourself that you intentionally tried to make him look bad to make yourself look good by comparison. What would you do? A. Forget about it because stuff like this happens and your friend is probably already over it. B. Ask God for forgiveness, but leave your friend out of the apologies because calling him might bring further embarrassment. C. Call him up and apologize for the "misunderstanding". D. Call him up and apologize for the comment, but not offer any details about your intentions. E. Call him up, apologize, and confess not only the insensitivity of the comment but the maliciousness behind it.

6. 6. While several of your co-workers have been known to miss important deadlines, you've always turned in your assignments on time. Out of the blue, your boss barks at you in your weekly department meeting, "_______, this one is important, and you better get it finished by Friday. I'm tired of deadlines being ignored and this is going to stop." You think. . . A. "How dare he embarrass me like that! The break room is going to be my venting station today." B. "Justice demands I show him how wrong he is. Let me start to compile an exhaustive history of all the deadlines I've met and those my co-workers have missed." C. "Okay, so he blamed me for something I don't do. How many times have I received credit for something I didn't deserve? No biggie. It all evens out."

7. 7. Ned is a jerk. But he's also your brother in Christ. Several times in the same evening as you were trying to have a conversation with someone, he barged in, took over the discussion, and made it all about himself. He has a pattern of being self-absorbed and insensitive to others. This is not the first time Ned has single-handedly ruined your night. You go home and. . . A. Tell the first person you see what a jerk Ned is. B. Pray for Ned and confess to God that you were wrong to assume the point of the evening was your own enjoyment. C. Make a commitment that if the offense continues to play in your mind, you will approach Ned and help him see his offense. D. Pray that God will help you to forgive and make you aware of your own sinful patterns. E. Despise Ned in your heart and swear that you will never share the same room with him again.

8. Areas of Humility 1. The humility of being approachable 2. The humility of being correctable 3. The humility of blindness to status and serving with joy 4. The humility of despising recognition 5. The humility of confession/vulnerability 6. The humility of extending grace/being slow to get offended 7. The humility of forgiveness/awareness of personal sin

9. The Priority of Humility I. Humility as a prerequisite for obedience II. Humility as indispensable for relationships III. Humility as necessary for prayer and Bible study

10. Assumptions that reinforce disobedience 1) I know better than God. I'm in a better position to determine what is best. (Wisdom) 2) I deserve what God has made off limits. I am important enough that I should not be denied. (Justice) 3) I'll get away with it. I'm capable to elude whatever consequences of which God has warned. (Power) 4) No one has the right to order me around, not even God. (Authority) 5) The thing that matters most is my own pleasure and satisfaction. (Value)

11. Assumptions that reinforce obedience 1) My moral knowledge is fallen/limited and God's moral knowledge by contrast is perfect/unlimited. (Wisdom) 2) I don't even deserve to be alive, much less do I deserve to indulge what God has prohibited. (Justice) 3) God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Power) 4) God is my creator. As such, He has the right to make requirements of me, and to enforce them. (Authority) 5) The world doesn't revolve around me; it's not all about me. (Value)

12. Rom 12:15 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Eph 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; Titus 3:1-2 Remind the people to . . . show true humility toward all men.

13. James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 1 Peter 5:5-6 All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

14. “Life Together” commands in the New Testament • Honor one another above yourselves (Rom 12:10). • Let us stop passing judgment on one another (Rom 14:13). • Agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought (1 Cor 1:10). • There should be no division in the body, but its parts should have equal concern for each other (1 Cor 12:25).

15. “Life Together” commands in the New Testament • Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Eph 4:3). • Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Col 3:13). • Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit (Phil 2:2-3). • Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom (Col 3:16).

16. “Life Together” commands in the New Testament • Encourage one another and build each other up. . . live in peace with each other (1 Thess 5:11,13). • Confess your sins to each other (James 5:16). • Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you (Rom 15:7). • Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Heb 10:24).

17. The Importance of Humility in Our Shared Life In seeking membership with Aletheia Christian Church, I make the following 10 commitments to humility: 1. I recognize my need to grow in the knowledge of the Word and the possibility that some of my beliefs may be incorrect. I am committed to the humility of hearing from others in the Aletheia family.

18. The Importance of Humility in Our Shared Life In seeking membership with Aletheia Christian Church, I make the following 10 commitments to humility: • I recognize my need to grow in the knowledge of the Word and the possibility that some of my beliefs may be incorrect. I am committed to the humility of hearing from others in the Aletheia family. • I acknowledge I am a sinner and that God desires to grow me in holiness. I also realize that one of his primary methods for growing me is through the help of brothers and sisters. I am committed to the humility of receiving correction from those who observe sin in my life, and I am eager to allow God's people to help me in this way.

19. 3. It is hypocritical to expect others to humbly receive correction that is offered in pride. For any situation in which I may need to give challenge to a brother or sister, I am committed to the humility of proceeding in gentleness and love. 4. I realize that the refusal to admit wrongdoing and seek forgiveness is the work of pride. It does not please our Lord and it hinders genuine community. I am committed to the humility of awareness to my own sin. 5. I acknowledge that the extent to which I've been forgiven in Christ far, far surpasses any sins that have been committed against me. I reject the pride that says I have a right to refuse to forgive or to hold on to bitterness. I'm committed to the humility of eagerness to forgive all sins and offenses.

20. 6. There are situations in our life together in which gentle correction may be needed for patterns of speech or behavior that aren't necessarily sinful, but are problematic. For example, someone may have a pattern of being unintentionally inconsiderate. I am committed to the humility of hearing from a brother or sister if he/she perceives a need to address me on this level. 7. The only right motive for correcting/confronting someone is love. Judgmentalism is the result of pride and manifests as nitpicking. While a serious sin will likely need immediate attention, the humility that is needed for genuine community is one that is patient and ready to overlook minor offenses. I am committed to this humility.

21. 8. It is a shame when Christians must tiptoe around each other, keeping our conversations as non-threatening as possible, and constantly staying on the surface for fear of offending one another. So we can grow into a community of real depth, I am committed to the humility of not being easily offended. 9. Pride is quick to assume evil motives in others. When I lack the facts needed to make an informed judgment, I am committed to the humility of assuming the best in my brother or sister. 10. If a brother or sister should ever sense that I need reminded of one or more of these commitments, I desire this encouragement and extend the unconditional invitation to my Aletheia brothers and sisters to offer words of challenge.