When you think of a king, what words come to mind? What about when you think of a servant? Does a day in each of their lives look the same? Not usually. That’s why it’s crazy to think that the King of Heaven and earth left His place in Heaven to live in a broken world as a servant to all. In a world where we’re tempted to focus on making the best name for ourselves, God has given us Jesus, the perfect example of putting others’ needs above our own.
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
This Week’s Finish Line: Jesus is the Perfect Example of Humility
Philippians 2:5-11 tells us about the humility of Jesus. Jesus was GOD and yet, out of His great love for us, He chose to come to earth as a human. Jesus even chose to obey God the Father to the point of dying an embarrassing and painful death on the cross for our sins. Jesus is the perfect example of humility, and we are called to follow His example. But, can we follow His example perfectly? No. Only Jesus can be perfectly humble, but because of His humility, He offers us salvation and forgiveness for all the times we’re not perfect! He will even help us live with humility when we ask. While our imperfect humility can’t bring salvation to others, like Jesus’ perfect humility did, it can help other people want to know more about our amazing God!
Family Questions:
- Read Philippians 2:3-4. How do these verses describe humility? (not being selfish or trying to impress, thinking of others, taking an interest in others) Why is it hard for us not to think about ourselves first?
- Who is Jesus according to Philippians 2:6? (God) When you think of God, what words come to mind? All of these things that are true about God are also true about Jesus!
- Read Philippians 2:8. What was Jesus’ ultimate example of humility? (He died on a cross. Dying on a cross was the most humiliating and painful way to die. However, Jesus chose to humble Himself even to die on a cross. He knew it was the ONLY way to save us and bring glory to the Father.)
- Look at verses 9-11. Did Jesus deserve to go to the cross and suffer like He did? What does He deserve? (He deserves to be praised and worshipped. He didn’t deserve to die because He was without sin. Someday everyone will bow to Him and confess that He is Lord!)
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
- Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
Discuss the definitions of pride and humility. Ask your kids to define them first before sharing them the suggested answers below.
PRIDE - What is pride? (Pride is when we think of ourselves first, thinking we can do it ourselves or trying to get things for ourselves because we think we deserve it. Pride is what leads us to sin.) What are some ways you might show pride? Trying to be first, wanting others to see how good you are at something, thinking you deserve to have something, trying to do it on your own, etc.)
HUMILITY - What does it mean to be humble? (Humility is being free from pride and not thinking of yourself first. It is realizing your talents and gifts are from God, putting your worth in Him, admitting you can never live up to His holiness and perfection, seeing how much you need Him and asking for His help.)
Discuss: When do you most easily give in to pride? How does pride hide itself in your life? What is the motivation behind your work & service? Who can help you find areas of pride in your life and help you stay accountable to fighting pride? Who can help you be humble? (Jesus! John 15:5 reminds us that we can do nothing apart from Him!)
Friend: Drive Time
Play “Spot the Lie.” All around us, there are ads, commercials, stores, etc. that are trying to convince us to think of ourselves first. As you are reading, on social media, or watching entertainment with your family this week, see who can be the first to spot something that tells the lie that says, “It’s all about you.”
Counselor: Bedtime
Read Philippians 2:9-11. The bible tells us that one day everyone will bow at the name of Jesus and declare His glory. We don’t have to wait until then! Take some time now to praise Jesus for being the perfect example of humility.
Coach: Anytime
Use one of the following options to practice the memory verse with your family this week. Write it with wipe off markers on your bathroom mirror. Practice “popcorn style,” where each family member says one word until the entire verse is completed. Make up your own hand motions to help you remember the words. Write it on an index card and take turns reading it before meals.
Prayer
Thank God for Christ’s humility because without it we could not be saved. Ask Him to show you areas in your life where pride is keeping you from being obedient. Ask Him to give you the humility to follow Christ’s example.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will continue the month of May with the godly character trait, HUMILITY. We will learn that humility helps us respond rightly to sin.