HUMILITY:
Living with the right understanding of who God is, who I am and who you are
MEMORY VERSE:
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:3-4 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line:
Those Who are Humble will be Exalted by God
In Luke 14:7-14 we find Jesus at dinner at a Pharisee’s house. Back then, the closer you sat to the host, the more important you were. If you sat far away, you were less important. Jesus, our perfect example of humility, saw guests trying to get the best seats for themselves. He used this opportunity to tell them two stories illustrating the difference between pride and humility. In the first, a prideful person chose to take the best seat for himself but was humiliated in front of others when asked to move down. However, the humble person chose to put others before himself and took the lowest seat. He didn’t do this to get attention but the host chose to honor him and move him to the best seat. In the second story, Jesus taught that when you throw a party, don’t invite those who can pay you back but invite the poor, crippled, blind and lame. When you serve the least of these without expecting anything in return, you are truly following Christ’s example of humility and will be exalted by God.
Family Questions:
- Who showed pride in Jesus’ story? Who was humble? How was the humble person exalted?
- How does Luke 14:12-14 represent the banquet God will have in heaven? Who will be there? If you are a believer, do you see yourself as the poor, crippled, lame and blind person? Why or why not?
- Talk about false humility, acting humble just so people will notice. When have you shown false humility? What might a truly humble response have looked like in that situation?
- Brainstorm as a family different situations you might find yourself in. (Ex: you win a close contest, you get to pick your team, your friend gets a toy you wanted) What would a prideful response be in that situation? A humble response?
Bring It Home Activities
1. Significant Summer
All throughout the summer, we are challenging parents to make the time they have with their kids significant. Take time this summer to intentionally disciple your kids in 4 areas: Grow, Play, Serve and Rest. You can download a free copy of our Significant Summer booklet filled with ideas for you and your family to not waste your summer. Track the fun things your family did on the Significant Summer chart and tell us about it on social media using #sigsummer14.
2. Hunger Month
Throughout the month of June, the church body of Watermark Community Church is helping to impact the issue of local hunger and the broader issue of poverty. In the spirit of friendly competition, the elementary ministries are competing to see who can bring the most non-perishable food items for Stuff the Truck. The truck will be in the alley June 8, 15 and 22. Bring this card to your ministry after you’ve dropped off your items at the truck in the alley to help your ministry win. Find out more ways your family can be involved with our ministry partners by visiting Hunger Month at Watermark.
3. Memory Verse Review
On the last Sunday of June we will be reviewing all of the character traits we’ve learned about since January. Take time this week to talk to your kids about what they remember about Wisdom, Righteousness, Diligence, Goodness, Consistency and Humility. Use these flash cards to review the memory verses for each character trait. There will be a prize for any kid who come with our last six verses memorized on June 29!
Prayer
Thank God for inviting you to His banquet in heaven. Ask Him to give you the humility to see that you are the poor, crippled, blind and lame beggar who could never do anything to repay Him. Ask Him to help you respond in humility instead of pride to those around you this week.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will learn how humility helps us respond rightly to sin. Jesus tells a parable about the prayers of a Pharisee and a Tax Collector. Read Luke 18:10-14 to see which one responds rightly to his sin and is reconciled to God.
Talk Back
Did you attend Watermark Kids Live? Give us your feedback! How would you like to make your summer significant this year?