Humility

HUMILITY

Humility is recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life.

Humility in Scripture The Character of God

not us. James 4:11–12 says, “He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” Realizing that we are all equally guilty before God, and need His mercy, helps us to stop comparing and walk humbly. (See Micah 6:8.)

• God Almighty chooses to humble Himself and be involved in our humanity (personal lives). (See Psalm 113:5–6.)

• God chooses to use ordinary people to achieve His magnificent plans and bring Himself glory. (See I Corinthians 1:25–31.)

• Although a member of the Trinity and deserving of glory, Jesus deflected praise to the Father. (See John 17:3–4.)

3. Receiving His Grace. God is ultimately responsible for every achievement in our life.

Jesus says, “Without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). However, with Him, you have the strength to do His will and whatever tasks He gives you to do. (See Philippians 4:13.)

God is ready to work in and through you, but pride hinders His work. Pride takes the credit away from God. God calls for us to humble ourselves before Him. (See II Chronicles 7:14.)

Once we humble ourselves before Him, God gives us His abundant grace to carry out His plan. “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6).

• Jesus humbled Himself to be obedient to God’s plan by becoming a man, dwelling on earth, and even dying on a cross.

(See Philippians 2:6–8.)

• The Holy Spirit prods our hearts, wanting us to humble ourselves before God. It is our choice to be humble or remain prideful. (See Acts 7:51.)

Key Concepts 1. Being a Servant. Jesus set an example by washing the feet of His disciples. Footwashing was the task of the lowliest servant in the house. When Jesus knelt to wash His disciples’ feet, the message was clear: Humble yourself and serve others. “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). You may not be washing someone’s feet literally, but you could be letting them go first in line, sharing your favorite toy with them, or doing the family’s least favorite chore. Are you willing to follow Jesus' example of humbly serving others?

Humility in My Life • Psalm 40:11–13—When was the last time I humbly acknowledged my need for God’s help?

• Proverbs 6:3—Do I go to those I have offended and admit my wrong and make amends?

2. Recognizing Pride. Despising others indicates there is pride, which is the opposite of humility, in our life. Pride is evident when we think, “I’m not as good as they are” or “They are not as good as me.” God is Judge,

• Proverbs 6:16–19—What does God think of pride?

• James 4:10—Whose responsibility is it to be humble and whose responsibility is it to exalt?

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• Psalm 9:12—Whose cry will God not forget?

HUMILITY Humility is recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life.

Humility in the Life of the Publican

As a family read Luke 18:9–14 and discuss the following: 1. T o whom was Jesus telling the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican? “And he [Jesus] spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican” (Luke 18:9–10). When do you tend to pride yourself as being better than someone else? Is there someone you look down on, dislike, or even despise? Why?

4. W hat four things did the publican do and say that revealed his humble heart? “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13). What does the Publican show us about humility in his prayer?

When have you asked God for mercy?

2. W ith whom did the Pharisee compare himself? “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican” (Luke 18:11). How do you see yourself when compared to others? How do you see yourself when compared to Christ?

Which perspective leads to humble reliance on the Lord?

6. W hat does judging others reveal about you? “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things” (Romans 2:1). What are areas or habits that you criticize in others? Ask God to show you if you are doing the same things.

3. H ow many times did the Pharisee use the word “I” in vs. 11–12? What is significant about his saying “I” so many times? “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess” (Luke 18:11–12). Do you talk about yourself a lot or are you thinking of others?

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5. W ho was justified in his prayer? “I tell you, this man [the publican] went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14). Do you find it difficult to admit when you are wrong? Why do you think it’s hard to do that?

HUMILITY

The Publican Pleads for Mercy “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are . . . . And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven . . . saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

—LUKE 18:11,13 3

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Humility is recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life.

HUMILITY

Humility is recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life.

Memory Verse JAMES 4:6 “But he giveth more grace.

Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Memory Verse Game: Volume Control Say the verse together several times. The teacher is the first “volume controller.” As the children quote the verse, the volume controller chooses when to turn the volume from low to high. When he wants the children to quote the verse loudly, he moves his outstretched arms high above his head. When he wants the children to quote the verse quietly, he moves his outstretched arms down low to the floor.

The children watch closely and adjust the volume level at which they are saying the verse to match the motions of the volume controller. Play until one of the children thinks he can quote the verse from memory by himself. If successful, he becomes the volume controller for another round of quoting the verse. After everyone has had a turn to say the verse alone and be the volume controller, end the game with the group all together saying the verse from memory.

In the blank below, write how this verse could be applied in your life, e.g., “deflect praise,” “accept and learn from rebuke,” or “point out how much others have helped me accomplish my goals.”

“Dear Lord, I yield to You and am willing to apply this verse. Help me to ____________________________ ___________________________. I ask that You would develop humility in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

When the Lord gives you an opportunity to apply this verse, write it in your journal to later recall God’s working in your life.

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Doers of the Word

HUMILITY

Humility is recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life.

Craft Instructions Let's Make Playdough!

Introduction This month we are asking the Lord to develop humility in our lives. What a privilege to respond to the work He is doing to change us into the image of His Son! Today we are going to make playdough. Playdough is soft and easy to work with. Otherwise, you couldn’t make anything with it.

Working with playdough reminds us to be humble, willing to change and yield to God’s direction.

If we are proud, stubborn, and resistant, the work God intended may be hindered. As you mold the soft playdough, ask the Lord to make your heart soft and responsive to His leading in your life.

Supplies • Ingredients:

1 cup flour 1 cup water ½ cup salt 2 tsp. cream of tartar 1 tbsp. cooking oil

• Food coloring • Saucepan • Airtight storage container

In a saucepan, mix all ingredients. Cook for about three minutes, stirring constantly. Stop when the mixture has turned from a liquid into playdough. Remove the hot playdough from pan and allow it to cool for 5–10 minutes or until safe to touch. Divide into balls and hand to the children.

As a child chooses the color he wants for his playdough, apply approximately 8–10 drops of food coloring to his ball. (Add more for deeper color.) Allow the children to gently knead in the food coloring until their playdough is the desired color. As the children mold the soft dough read to them, “Notice how the playdough can easily be shaped however you want it. A humble heart before the Lord is the same way. The humble heart is not proud, rebellious or resistant, but humble, willing to listen and change. The softness of the playdough reminds us to be humble before the Lord.”

Afterward, store the playdough in an airtight container.

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Instructions

HUMILITY

Humility is recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life.

Activity Page Crossword Puzzle

Humility vs. Pride Recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” JAMES 4:6 6

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Enjoy meditating and thinking about the words of the memory verse and the definition of humility as you fill in the crossword puzzle below. Bold words fit horizontally and underlined words fit vertically. One word is already done for you.

HYMN HISTORY

Humility is recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life.

“Amazing Grace” “Look out!” screamed the sailor.

A wall of water crashed across the ship. White-knuckled, the weary sailors clung to wooden spars and ropes for their very lives. Although the men had escaped that wave, countless more swelled about, the turbulence ready to crush the water-logged vessel. Young Captain John Newton also clung to the ship as the fierce waves tossed it to and fro. Despair racked his very soul. Surely they were all about to die!

A sailor cursed. At the hearing of God’s Name—even uttered in vain—memories were stirred in Newton's mind. His mind was flooded with recalled Bible verses, his mother’s Godly life, words from the book The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis . . . each memory was an awakening blow to his sin-wracked soul.

“O God, if Thou wilt get me safely ashore, I will serve Thee forever,” Newton fervently prayed.

John Newton (1725–1807)

The profound sense of his own unworthiness and of God's greatness was the predominant theme of his life’s preaching and writing. Reflecting on his darkest days, he wrote, “especially had you known that my conduct, principles, and heart were still darker than my outward condition—how little would you have imagined that one, who so fully answered to the 'hateful and hating one another' of the apostle, was reserved to be so peculiar an instance of the providential care and exuberant goodness of God?” He expressed that sentiment more fully in “Amazing Grace”: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost but now am found, Was blind but now I see.

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John Newton’s conversion was real. His new life emanated with humility. No longer brash and rebellious, he had become a man who understood God’s hand in his life. From his conversion at 23 until he died at 82, Newton never wearied of praising God's goodness and love that had saved him. Newton wrote hymns; his most famous one is “Amazing Grace.”

Photo courtesy of www.hymntime.com/tch

The hardened young sea captain who had been working on ships since he was 11, kidnapped by a British press gang and pressed into service in the British Navy at age 18, and worked for a slave trader who treated him brutally—this weary, bruised one in that moment totally surrendered his life to God. Later Newton wrote: “That tenth of March is a day much remembered by me; and I have never suffered it to pass unnoticed since the year 1748— the Lord came from on high and delivered me out of deep waters.”

HYMN HISTORY

“Amazing Grace” | page 2

Newton humbly wrote the inscription for his tombstone to denote God’s grace to him. The epitaph reads: “John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and Libertine, a servant of slavers in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the Faith he had long labored to destroy.”

Bibliography: Barrows, Cliff, Crusade Hymn Stories, Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL, 1967, pp. 7–8.

Johnson, Guye, Treasury of Great Hymns and Their Stories, Bob Jones University Press, Greenville, SC, 1986, pp. 98–99.

Kincaid, M. Dean, A Survey of Christian Hymnology, Kincaid Music, Inc., La Grange, IL, p. 113.

Morgan, Robert J., Then Sings My Soul Book 2, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN, 2004, p. 79.

Osbeck, Kenneth W., 101 Hymn Stories, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, 1982, pp. 28–31.

Reynolds, William J., Hymns of Our Faith, Broadman Press, Nashville, 1964, p. 14.

Robinson, Charles S., Annotations Upon Popular Hymns, Forgotten Books, London, England, 2012, [Original Copyright 1892], pp. 14, 249.

This hymn and the other 11 featured hymns of this year’s character curriculum are available on CD. The hymns are sung by home educating families to piano accompaniment. Go to store.iblp.org/product/CBCH2.html for more information.

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We do not need to have tasted the depths of sin or have a dramatic conversion experience as Newton did. However, we do need to realize our true wretched condition before God. When we do, only then will we fall to our knees and then look up and be filled with awe and gratitude at the totally unmerited grace and love He has shown us by dying to save us when we were loathsome sinners! As God enables us to be humble, we will recognize that He and others are actually responsible for the achievements in our lives. Realizing this truth, we can joyfully proclaim His goodness to us.

HUMILITY

Humility is recognizing that it is actually God and others who are responsible for the achievements in my life.

Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace John (1725-1807) st. 6 anon.

JohnNewton Newton (1725-1807);

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1. A - maz-ing grace, how sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me!

2. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears re - lieved; 3. Thru man - y dan - gers toils, and snares, I have al - read - y come; word my hope se - cures; 4. The Lord has prom-ised good to me, His 5. And when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mor - tal life shall cease; 6. When we've been there ten thou-sand years, Bright shin -ing as the sun,

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I once was lost, but now am found,Was blind, but now I see.

How pre - cious did that grace ap - pear The hour I first be - lieved!

'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far, And gracewill lead me home.

He will my shield and por - tion be As long as life en - dures.

I shall pos-sess with - in the veil A life of joy and peace.

We've no less days to sing God's praise Than when we first be - gun.

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