Dear leader,
This week is about humility, and I wanted to take a
minute to help us understand this concept differently
than we often do.
Humility, in Christian-ese, is usually taken to mean
making ourselves as low as possible. It means giving up
our seats, not saying anything when we’re upset, not
taking the last cookie, or saying “sorry” for everything.
Sure, these things have their place. But, I think what we
imagine when we do these things is different than what
Jesus intended. These behaviors can more often than
not serve to validate our belief that Jesus wants for us to
be constantly self-effacing. As if the less space we take
up, the better we demonstrate the Kingdom of God.
I believe Jesus meant something far deeper when he
suggested we be “humble”. I like how Dave said it this
weekend: Jesus engaged in acts that helped him and
others connect in a place of mutual humanity. Jesus did
not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing… for the sake of connecting
authentically and mutually with us.
What would this look like for you as a LifeGroup leader?
For myself, I look for moments when there is something
in the way between myself and an authentically human
connection with another, and do what I can to help us
both enter into a mutual, human, humble interaction.
-Connor
1.31.2016 : LifeGroups
montrosechurch.org
Renewal
Renewed by Humility
In our busy lives it’s sometimes hard to remember that we were designed for a natural ebb and
flow, that we are intended for seasons of work and seasons of renewal. Renewal is not simply
about a change of mind - it is a change of being. It is the refreshing of one’s body and spirit.
Paul’s letter to the Romans is a personal plea for renewal of the church. Paul suggests that
when we rest in Christ we find a God who calls us to imitate his humility. This means we (1) think
more about God’s purpose for us than our own “happiness”, (2) think of ourselves with sober
judgement that allows us to be fully human and connected, (3) and live out of the gifts God has
given us.
FOCAL POINT: Humility allows us to live into the purposes God has for
us.
Getting Started
Catch up together about how your week has been, possibly also revisit
last week’s meeting.
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Do you remember a time when you’ve realized you weren’t as good at
something as you thought you were? How about a time you realized
you were better than you thought at something?
Exploring Scripture
Read the following passage together.
John 13:1-17
1.31.2016 : LifeGroups
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What words or phrases stick out to you?
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What do you hear about God’s heart in this passage?
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Reflection
Take time to reflect together about the passage.
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Peter initially refuses Jesus’ attempt to wash his feet. What do you
imagine made Peter say no?
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Humility is allowing ourselves to be human and connected with
others, rather than above or below. Where do you see humility in this
passage? When have you felt humility this week?
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What keeps you from entering into a humble posture with others?
What keeps you from feeling human and connected with others?
Praxis
Allow space for the word of God to speak to our LifeGroup.
There are moments of humility throughout every relationship we
have. By washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus helped them enter into
a powerful moment of humanity and connection, and called them
to do the same. Let’s explore how these moments affect us as
well.
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When have you felt humility in our LifeGroup? What moments help you
to feel human and connected?
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Washing feet was a customary and normal part of eating a meal in
Jesus’ day. It was often done by the “least” among the table. What
chore or task is usually treated this way during our LifeGroup time? It
could be washing dishes, watching the children, or cleaning up after.
What is it for our LifeGroup?
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How could we be intentional, either this week or next, about sharing
this task as a spiritual act of humility?
Moving Outward
Challenge each other to live out God’s truth this week.
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1.31.2016 : LifeGroups
When you think about your day tomorrow, who might you encounter
over whom you have privilege or power? How could you engage in an
act that encourages humanity and connection with this person?
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John 13:1-17
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for
him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in
the world, he loved them to the end.
The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas,
the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put
all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning
to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a
towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to
wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around
him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my
feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will
understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head
as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their
whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he
knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one
was clean.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to
his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You
call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your
Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s
feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very
truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater
than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be
blessed if you do them.
1.31.2016 : LifeGroups
montrosechurch.org