Connect
Here are a couple questions to get the conversation rolling. Feel free to discuss either or both!
◾ What kinds of people are considered important in Western culture? Why?
◾ What does it mean to be successful?

Pray
Spend a couple minutes quieting your heart and drawing your attention toward God. Consider these prayer points:
◾ God, I pause to recenter myself in You. I pray You’d restore my union with You.
◾ I confess my pride and come to you with humility and a spirit of surrender.
◾ I pray you’d protect me against the attacks of the evil one so I can experience
forgiveness and a renewed sense of Your Spirit leading me.
◾ Please, Father, help me hear Your voice and sense You being with me.
◾ Father, today I pray you would father me.

Introduction
For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:16 (NIV)

Satan often uses the things of this world to draw our attention and affection away from God. In this verse, the world does not refer to the beauty of creation but might be better understood as the collective set of values and systems designed to make life work apart from God. John tells us that our fallen nature, our lust and our pride can pull us away from the love of the Father.

Over the last two weeks, we considered how the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh prevent us from experiencing the love of the Father. Our focus this week is on overcoming pride. Thankfully, we can resist the devil as we follow the example of Jesus and rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Read
Matthew 4:8-11 (NIV)
8 Again, the devil took Him [Jesus] to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give You,” he [Satan] said, “if You will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from Me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’

11 Then the devil left Him, and angels came and attended Him.

Explore and Discuss
1. If Jesus already owns the world and everything in it, why would Satan tempt Him with this?

2. What’s the relationship between worship and humility?

3. It’s estimated that at least 50% of professional athletes go broke soon after retiring. What does this tell you about fame and fortune?

4. Here’s a brief comparison between people who are proud and those who are humble. Read these out loud to get the full impact!

5. Which of these have you seen in your own life?

6. What’s an effective way to interact with someone who is proud and arrogant?

7. How does Satan use pride to damage our relationships?

8. What are practical ways to grow in humility?

9. Growing in our relationship with Jesus (being united with Him) enables us to live like He did. How does this passage describe what that looks like?

10. This letter was written to a church in Greece in the latter part of the first century. How would living with humility have helped them during a time of intense persecution?

11. What did Jesus do to humble Himself?

12. Jesus laid aside His divine privilege. Living with a sense of entitlement seems very common in our current culture. Why do you think that is?

13. How does humility foster community?

14. What does this passage stir in your heart toward God?

Make a Move
Spend a few minutes in silence and ask God what He wants you to know and remember from this week’s study and discussion. Is there an emotion or thought He’s stirring in you? Is there a specific step God is leading you to take? Jot down some thoughts and share them with your group or with a close friend.

Meditate
Meditation is the practice of slowly gazing at God, His work and His Word. This is an effective way to slow our hearts and minds and give Him our undivided attention. Meditate on these passages and note words and phrases that stand out to you.

When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10 (NIV)

Memorize
One of the best ways to hear God throughout the day is to store His words in your heart and mind.

Based on this week’s theme, commit these words of Scripture to memory:

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to
the test.’” Matthew 4:7 (NIV)

Lord Jesus, we have sinned times without number, and been guilty of pride and unbelief, and of neglect to seek You in our daily lives. Our sins and shortcomings present us with a list of accusations, but we thank You that they will not stand against us, for all have been laid on Christ. Deliver us from every evil habit, every interest of former sins, everything that dims the brightness of Your grace in us, everything that prevents us taking delight in You. Amen.
A Puritan Prayer, Valley of Vision

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.