Pastor Ralph

Q42. (John 3:30) In what ways are you observing Christ’s influence increasing in you? How is your seeking of your own way decreasing? What are the biggest obstacles to humility currently before you? What are you doing to humble yourself in these circumstances that challenge you?

Q41. (1 Timothy 6:3-4,17; Colossians 2:18) Why does having an abundance of wealth and knowledge tend to make us feel superior? Why do false doctrines and heresies often come with a feeling of superiority over lesser Christians who believe differently? How can you show humility if you are wealthy? How can the well-educated show humility?

Q40. (Romans 12:16; James 2:1-9) Why does Christ’s humility require us to associate those considered lowly? Who are the “lowly” in your community? What are you and your congregation actively doing to break down the barriers between these people and yourselves? What message does lack of favoritism send to a world that is intently watching Christians?

Q39. (Matthew 5:38-39; Romans 12:19; 13:4) Why are unforgiveness and humility incompatible with each other? Why must we distinguish between personal forgiveness and judicial determination and sentencing?

Q38. (Matthew 7:1-2; 9:13; Hosea 6:6; 2 Corinthians 10:12) What prevents a judgmental spirit from being compatible with humility? How can we maintain an attitude of mercy towards sinners in our fallen world while still maintaining godly standards within our Christian community? In what way does comparing ourselves with others work against humility? How do backbiting and a critical spirit betray a judgmental spirit?

Q37. (Romans 12:16; Ephesians 4:1-3) How does conceit make it difficult to live in harmony with others? Why do you think maintaining the unity of the Spirit is such a high value for Jesus and his apostles? What are the tensions in your own congregation that threaten the unity of the Spirit? How can you lessen those tensions and promote harmony?

Q36. (James 1:19-20; Colossians 3:13) What is the relationship of patience to humility? What in us motivates impatient outbursts? What does it take for God to work in us “long-suffering”? Why is forbearance so vital in a marriage?

Q35. (Titus 3:1-2; Colossians 3:23-25). How is appropriate submission related to humility? Why does opposing church leaders so often exhibit pride? When you have to submit to a harsh person, how can you look at it in a way that is spiritual? How can we submit voluntarily in our hearts without being slavishly servile?

Q34. (1 Peter 3:15; Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 3:9) How is humility related to respect for others? To honoring others? How can we minister to someone for whom we have no respect? In what way does insulting speech trample upon humility? How does interrupting a person show disrespect?

Q33. What is the difference between temperance and abstinence? How can use of alcohol and drugs disrupt the humble life? Why is self-control so important in the Christian life? How does self-control differ from the idea of “moderation in all things”?

Q32. (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:1-2; James 2:17-18) How are good deeds related to humility and compassion? What kinds of good deeds were common in the early church? Is it possible to have faith without any fruit of good deeds that demonstrate your faith?

Q31. (James 4:1-3) How does pride fuel conflict? How do fighting and quarrelling prevent a peaceable life? According to James, what is at the root of our fighting? How do we respond to conflict knowing that peace doesn’t depend solely upon us? Since conflict is inevitable, what are some ways we can disagree agreeably, humbly?

Q30. (Titus 2:15-3:2) How does living God’s way require humbling ourselves before God?

Q29. (1 Peter 5:1-7) Why does pride make God our adversary? Why is the power of example preferable to the power of one’s office? What might God “lifting us up in due time” look like?

Q28. (1 John 2:15-16) What role does pride have in worldliness? How can we live holy lives in this world? What does “stealing the glory” look like? How can it be dangerous?

Q27. How can small businesspeople promote themselves without sinful boasting? What are the guidelines?

Q26. Is it okay to use flattery to smooth social situations? To get our way with a difficult person? If flattery is insincerity and manipulation of another’s pride, how do you think God views flattery?

Q25. What is the role of ambition in leadership? What does leadership look like without ambition?

Q24. (2 Timothy 1:7) How is faith related Christian assertiveness? How is courage related? What is the relation of assertiveness to submission? Is assertiveness opposed to humility? What factors might keep leaders from being assertive when they need to be? How does assertiveness display itself in the heroes of the faith?

Q23. (Numbers 12:3) Why is Moses called the most humble man in the world? What is the essence of his humility? What is the essence of Jesus’ humility? What is the lesson for leaders today?

Q22. (Matthew 6:1-4; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Proverbs 4:23) Why are motives so important to genuine humility? If the heart is deceitful, how can we ever have pure motives? What does it mean for us to guard our hearts?

Q21. (Act 9:36-42; James 1:27; Luke 14:12-14). Why does caring for orphans and widows constitute pure religion? Why does helping those who can’t help you show humility? Why are Dorcas and Mother Teresa so inspiring?

Q20. (Mark 9:41; Matthew 25:31-46) What do Jesus’ saying about giving a cup of cold water and Jesus’ Parable of the Sheep and the Goats have in common? What kinds of services might please Jesus that can we perform for needy people?

Q19. (John 13:4-17) Why did Jesus intend to shock his disciples by performing such a lowly act? What message was he trying to instill in them by this footwashing?

Q18. (Mark 10:42-44) What is the basic difference between the world’s pattern of leadership and Christ’s pattern? What does servant-leadership look like? Can you be a “great” Jesus-follower without serving humbly?