OPEN
What would you say you are most proud of now? Why?
REFLECT
What did you learn from this message? How did this sermon deepen your faith?
Read Luke 9:46-48, 22:24; Mark 10:35-37; Matthew 20:20-21.
In this sermon, Gary talked about how the disciples wanted to be great by sitting at Jesus’ right and left. How would you describe what their core desire was by the question they asked? What do you think the other disciples listening in would have thought in this moment?
When was a time in your life where you sought prominence? What motivated you during that time? In seeking greatness, how did your ambition affect those around you?
How have you experienced the ill-effects of pride in your life? Why do you think pride is so destructive in one’s relationship with the Lord?
Describe a time when you saw someone display a great example of humility.
How have you seen yourself grow in humility as you have gotten older?
How does serving, speaking of yourself less often, and submitting help to form humility in our hearts?
Read Philippians 2:5-8.
In what ways is humility a journey according to this passage? Where would you place yourself on this journey? Explain.
APPLY
How are you going to begin to foster humility in your own life? How can your group help?
PRAY
This week, Gary ended his message with a prayer from the Italian monk St. Francis of Assisi. Use this as your prayer this week:
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, Jesus.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being rebuked, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being criticized, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That in the opinion of the world others may
increase and I may decrease,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen, and I set aside,
Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
Amen.
NEXT STEPS
For the next 4 weeks, Pastor Gary Johnson will lead us through the Gospel of Luke where Jesus sets out for, what would become, his last journey to Jerusalem—we’ll stop to notice four insights as to what was important in His life and ministry. If you’d like to find out more about what following Jesus or growing in your faith, please don’t hesitate to email us at contact@thecreek.org.