Small Group Guide: Humble
Opening Prayer
Bible: Matthew 7:1-5, Philippians 2:1-8, Micah 6:8
Opening Question:
Share a time when you misjudged someone or a situation. What did you learn from that experience?
Key Quotes:
- Jesus invites us to avoid condemning others and instead to practice self-reflection and humility. Jesus requires compassion over condemnation.
- Humility helps us to be open to feedback and learn from others, allowing personal growth. That is openness to growth.
- Focus on listening others without judgment and seeking to understand before forming an opinion.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus warns against condemning others and encourages self-reflection and humility.
- We often judge without knowing the full story of someone's life.
- Judgment can lead to self-righteousness and overlooking our own faults.
- Humility promotes empathy, compassion, and personal growth.
Discussion Questions:
- The sermon mentions that the Greek word for judgment can mean both "discern" and "condemn." How can we practice discernment without falling into condemnation?
- Reflect on the examples given in the sermon (food stamp shoppers, speeding car caller). How do these stories illustrate the dangers of judging others?
- Pastor Varinia mentions three benefits of fostering humility: self-awareness, compassion, and openness to growth. Which of these do you find most challenging to practice, and why?
- How can we cultivate humility in our daily lives, especially when faced with the temptation to judge others?
- How can we balance the need for discernment with Jesus' call to avoid condemnation?
- What are some practical steps we can take to 'put ourselves aside and help others get ahead' as mentioned in Philippians?
Practical Applications:
- Practice Active Listening: This week, make a conscious effort to listen to others without immediately forming judgments. Focus on understanding their perspective.
- Self-Reflection Exercise: Each day, take a few minutes to reflect on moments when you might have judged others. Consider what you didn't know about their situation.
- Humility Challenge: Choose one area of your life (work, family, church) and intentionally practice putting others first, as suggested in Philippians 2:3-4.
- Prayer Focus: Commit to praying daily for insight into others' struggles and guidance to show compassion, as suggested in the sermon.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, help us to see others through Your eyes of compassion. Guide us in practicing humility and refraining from hasty judgments. May our interactions with others reflect Your love and grace. In Jesus' name, Amen.
