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Q1. Low Self-Focus


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  • Pastor Ralph changed the title to Q1. Low Self-Focus
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On 8/12/2024 at 8:29 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (Matthew 22:36-40) How does a two-part definition of humility correspond to the two greatest commandments? In what sense is humility “a low self-focus combined with a high other-focus”? What does that look like in a disciple?

Just intro information David from Georgia, USA

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Lesson 1 Question 1

The basis for humility seems to be these two commandments. If I love my Lord with “all” my heart soul and mind, then He is preeminent in my life. I am then somewhere down the line. If I am comparing just God and me, then I am always second.

Question 2

In the life of a disciple God is exalted above all else. He is credited with everything. He receives the honor and the glory. The good of others comes before his own good. He seeks always to help, never to harm. Encouraging others is one of his greatest desires and actions.

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Q1 & Q2 The basis for humility comes from a grateful and thankful heart which fosters a loving heart. We love and serve because He first loved and served us. (Mark 10:45) We love and serve unconditionally. Not easy to do but after the greatest commandment in the OT Jesus gives us the "new" commandment in John 13:34-35. Love one another as I have loved you. Then all will know that you are my disciples if you have love one another. 1 Cor. 10:31

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Q1. (Matthew 22:36-40) How does a two-part definition of humility correspond to the two greatest commandments? In what sense is humility "a low self-focus combined with a high other-focus"? What does that look like in a disciple?

A two-part definition of humility, aligned with the two greatest commandments, reveals that at its core, humility is rooted in selfless love. Humility before God means placing Him above all else, as stated in the first commandment. The second aspect of humility involves treating others with the same regard and importance as you give to yourself.

Humility is characterized by "a low self-focus combined with a high other-focus" because in our desire to show love, we place ourselves beneath God and those around us.

As a disciple, it is prioritizing the needs, growth, and spiritual well-being of others over personal recognition or self-interest. A humble disciple actively listens, serves, and encourages others in their faith journey, recognizing that God's work and the spiritual growth of their community take precedence over their own desires.

In practice, it looks like a mentor or disciple-maker who leads by example, teaching others with patience, love, and a spirit of servanthood. It also involves acknowledging one's own limitations and pointing others to Christ as the ultimate source of wisdom and strength. In this approach, the focus remains on God's glory and the spiritual development of those being discipled, rather than on personal achievements or accolades.

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Q1. (Matthew 22:36-40) How does a two-part definition of humility correspond to the two greatest commandments?

In what sense is humility “a low self-focus combined with a high other-focus”?

What does that look like in a disciple?

 

The two-part definition of humility corresponds to the two greatest commandments: Love God and Love your neighbor by submission to God (having a "God focus") and Serving others (having an "others" focus)

 

Humility and love are bound together - you really can't have one without the other

A disciple stays in constant communion with God  and alert to the needs of others surrounding him/her.

 

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On 8/12/2024 at 8:29 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q1. (Matthew 22:36-40) How does a two-part definition of humility correspond to the two greatest commandments? In what sense is humility “a low self-focus combined with a high other-focus”? What does that look like in a disciple?

A two part definition of humility corresponds to the two greatest commandments:  a low focus on yourself and a high others focus; the two greatest commandments - love God with all your heart, soul and mind and 2. Is love your neighbor as yourself.

Humility is a low self-focus, as you are not always thinking on yourself all the time, but you are focused on pleasing God, and you are concerned on how to help and love your neighbors - doing things for them and helping them out with their needs.

The greatest disciple is the one who humbly serves others.

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Just as a magnetic field can be understood through its proximity to the source, humility reflects two complementary aspects:

 

Low Self-Focus

This represents our recognition of total dependence on and closeness to the Almighty, aligning with the command to love Him above all else.

High Other-Focus

This emphasizes prioritizing the needs and wellbeing of our fellow human beings, fulfilling the call to love others as an expression of our love for the Almighty.

 

For a disciple, this dual-natured humility manifests in qualities like:

  • Servant-leadership
  • Active and compassionate listening
  • Ready forgiveness
  • Openness to correction

 

Just as alignment with the divine source affects the field's strength and direction, our closeness to the Almighty enhances our ability to embody these virtues in our relationships with others.

It is vital to remember that true humility is not a mere outward display, but a deep, transformative work of the Spirit within our hearts. As we draw nearer to the source of all goodness, our own egos diminish, and our capacity to love and serve others increases.

 

Key Message

Humility is a spiritual journey that leads us closer to the divine source, enabling us to love and serve others more effectively. It's not about self-deprecation or weakness; it's about recognizing our true place in the universe and aligning our actions with the love and compassion that emanate from the Almighty.



Disclaimer: This response has been elaborated with the assistance of the GenAI engine Claude 3.

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A disciple is blessed when his focus is on others.  Self focus implys self, we strife to be focused on Jesus.  Selfless focus centers on God.  Humiity is a Godly reward for obedience to the Central theme of Christianity, humility before God. Only then can I truely love my neighbor as my self.

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Question 1 and 2:  How does the greatest commandment of Loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul, and loving your neighbor as yourself relate to humility as being low self focus and high other focus?  What does it look like in a disciple?  The Lord says we should not have any other gods, or any idols.  He is our Creator and He has designed all of life to flow in harmony and goodness.  He is saying to us make Him the center and focus.  He is preeminent.  Have no other idols.  As we come to worship Him and adore Him, we realize everything else is valued as much as we are.  So first we must love him with all our hearts and then we must love all he has created as equally lovely and valuable.  We lose self focus and see ourselves as stewards of anything he has given and we use the gifts to serve others.  By serving others we also learn more about ourselves and the gifts freely given us by God.  It is also in yielding and losing ourselves that we truly find ourselves as well.  To love God with all our hearts and minds and souls is a journey of the disciple.  The more we yield the more we understand and the more we give from the heart.  And the more we are sanctified into Him image and likeness.  God being the most humble serving all of us all the time.  As we yield we take on his image of humility.

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Q1. (Mathew 22:36-40) How does a two-part definition of humility correspond to the two greatest commandments? 

1. Jesus said 'Love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul and mind.' First love God, His Word and all that His son taught and did. 

2. And love your neighbour (everyone you meet) as you would love yourself. Secondly, after seeking a relationship with God, from studying His Word, to experiencing fellowship and learning from other Christians, He teaches us how to love an agape love with others. Even showing humility before our enemies. 

 

In what sense is humility "a low self-focus combined with a high other-focus"? 

Low self-focus involves humbling ourselves before God.

Whereas high other-focus involves compassion, concerns for others and how to help them either through pray... But better to provide practical help if someone requires it. Eg. It's really sad you've been laid off. Hey I helped my sis update her CV the other month would you like a hand or a glance over your CV? Or there's an agency I used last year when I was laid off, it's xyz. 

 

What does that look like in a disciple? 

I think to be aware of who we representing, reminding ourselves we are ambassadors of Christ. And from this study to practice and grow in humility through humbling ourselves before God, to give up our desires and from his Words desire to seek His wisdom and His ways. Practically it means to be fair in justice, to look out for others (family, relatives, friends, neighbours, colleagues and strangers we bump into daily), providing mercy and agape love with the hope to reveal Christ in us.

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The basics of humility is to have a modest view of one's importance. The Apostle Matthew in his gospel records what is considered the two-part definition of humility: to love God and our neighbors. In loving God we humble ourselves before Him by passionately recognizing Him in the following but not limited to consistently praying, studying His Word, and making Him our top priority.   In loving our neighbor we are instructed to humbly serve others without any ambitious gain.  We are instructed to care for the widows, orphans, and sojourners and visit the prisoners.  

Humility is a low self-focus combined with a high other-focus when it is displayed and executed in selfless agape love.  Agape love is shown in our obedience and meekness to God.  Thankful for His mercies and grace as well as for showing respect and concern for our neighbor's welfare and being.

A disciple will make every effort to ensure that the needs of others are met, spiritually, physically, and to the capacity of their mental state of mind.  Disciples will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give drinks to the thirsty, and visit the sick, and shut-ins.  A disciple of Christ will recognize Him as Lord and Savior, His sovereignty, be thankful to Him in everything, intercede for others in prayers, study and meditate on the Word of God, fast, repent, and turn from their sins wholeheartedly.  A disciple will do the will of God to the best of their ability, and be lowly in heart and mind. 

 

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Q1.Humility is having a low focus on ourselves and a high focus on others especially those in need. The greatest commandment of the law is to Love God and to love our neighbour. To love God we need to be humble, otherwise we will feel we have no need of God. To love our neighbour as we should requires us to shift our attention from ourselves and our needs and wants and to get involved with those around us and to help them wherever possible. For a believer this means seeking God to help us to put God first in our lives, by keeping this in our daily prayers. To seek to get involved with others and do our best to help wherever possible. Just by doing this it will take the focus off ourselves and onto others.

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Low self-focus: When we focus on God, our center of attention is to submit to His divine will for our lives. This enables us to humble ourselves before Him.

High other focus: We submit ourselves to serve others not as leaders but servants to those we serve.

On 9/20/2024 at 8:19 AM, David Babcock said:

Just intro information David from Georgia, USA

With this humble mindset, the second commandment, "Love your neighbor as yourself," becomes relevant.

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David Squires from Doylestown, PA

The words from Deut. 6:4-9 are called the Shema in Hebrew, according to the first word which means "Hear!" As a Jewish Christian, I choose to post a small box, inside of which is a hand-written parchment scroll of the words in Hebrew. This box is afixed on the front door to my apartment, in solidarity with the Jewish nation. Humbly, I am supposed to recall the presence of the Lord in my life, each time I walk in and walk out of my home. I am also supposed to remember that the same Lord is concerned for the lives of my neighbors, who live just to the right and left of my home.

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I am able to love because He first loved us.  Without love of God, love of others becomes self serving.  And from James, faith without works is dead.  How else do we show love of God other than loving our fellow man?

The two go hand in hand.

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Q1. (Matthew 22:36-40)

How does a two-part definition of humility correspond to the two greatest commandments?

Humbling oneself in submission before God = Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Humble service of others = Love your neighbor as yourself.

In what sense is humility "a low self-focus combined with a high other-focus"?

"Low self-focus" involves humbling ourselves before God.

"High other-focus" involves concern for others and humble service to alleviate their needs. 

What does that look like in a disciple?

A disciple must shown humbleness before GOD and serve in humbleness the neighbor.

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To love God with all my heart, and all my soul, and all my mind is to give myself completely to Him. If I do that (I have to do it fresh every morning) I am able to also love my neighbor as I do myself.

A low self-focus requires that I give myself over to God every day, leaning on Him and trusting Him to meet my needs and guide my path, in order to achieve a high other–focus —

Once I reach that point of submission to God’s love and care,  am set free to focus on the needs of my neighbor without the thought of “what’s in this for me”?  

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Hello, It reminds me of what Jesus said in Luke 9:23, if anyone wants to follow Him (paraphrase) the we must first deny ourselves then take up your cross and follow Him, the epitome of humility wrapped in flesh. Self denial takes the focus off self. When we can master that then the rest becomes a little bit easier but we are then focused on others and how Jesus would respond.

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Low-self focus is me loving God with my all of my heart, soul and mind. I am completely in love with my Savior above my self, husband, children, church and family and friends.. Low-self focus reveals I am in a posture of surrender and fully trusting Him with every area of my life.  High- other focus is me loving my neighbor as my self meaning I love them and nurture them, and serve them as best as I can as Christ would have.   Combining a low-self focus with a high-self focus is a key to bring a disciple of Jesus.   It connects them becasue if I love God and my neighbor it motivates me to respond.  In a disciple,  low-focus looks like me taking this course to be more like God, praying and worshipping God.  It is making sure I am staying close to Jesus.   High-self focus  ooks like, me praying with people, helping them with their expenses, clothing those in need,  taking a meal to someone, shouldering them in difficult times.  

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To love God with all our heart,with all our soul,and with all our mind is forgetting ourselves totally and live for God for He created us and redeemed us for Himself. to love our neighbors as we love ourselves mean we consider others as we would like others to consider us.

Humility is again not giving much attention to our needs but focus more on the needs of others.Just like Jesus lived His life on earth .

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