IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

1

Humble Your Heart

Instructors: District Elder Marvin Bembry &Elder Doyle Smith

Illinois District Council July 2015 Session

HUMBLE YOUR HEART

Housekeeping Course schedule / Break Bathrooms Sign In sheet / Registration

Group WorkExpectations of this classDefine Humility

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

2

Course Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to: Define and articulate the importance of humility in

a servant leader’s life Grasp the connection between humility and service Understand how humility is produced Discuss patience and the waiting process Understand the application of the 1st principle of a

servant leader i.e is to be committed to follow Jesus

INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP ACTIVITY:WORD ASSOCIATION

H or P? Humble PrideAggressive

Arrogant

Egotist

Hifalutin

Inferior

Mortify

Self-Important

Submissive

Subservient

Superior

Unpretentious

Waiter/Servant

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

3

“Humble” DEFINED

Insignificant; inferior; submissive: to feel humble in the presence of someone great

To lower in condition or status, importance, or dignity: abase; mortify

To make meek: to humble one’s heart.

Humble Hearts

How were Moses, Joseph, David, Paul and Joseph similar in demonstrating a humble heart?

Moses was called the “meekest man.” Why? How?

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

4

“Humility” DEFINED

Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary definition:

A prominent Christian grace.

It is a state of mind well pleasing to God;

It preserves the soul in tranquility and makes us patient under trials.

Correlation of Humility and Servitude

Humility Attributes Servant Relation

A prominent Christian grace Benefits and “favors” others—Serves!

A state of mind well pleasing to God

This is my Son in whom I am well pleased

Preserves the soul in tranquility and makes us patient under trials

No one can do it but God therefore “I stand my ground; wait/endure—(hupomenó)”

Waiting on God to exalt Recognizes the hopelessness

of self; Dependency on the all-sufficiency of God!

God is the Supernatural source from whence comes the ability to serve others

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

5

Service is a spiritual discipline

Serving others is essential for the learning and growth of humility

Both beget the other

“Genuine service (an act initiated for the benefit of another hidden from an audience) will always lead to humility”

Making your way to the head of the table takes your focus off of who you should be serving—Luke 14:8

Service Humility

Life is not sustained by bread alone, but by God’s word—

Deuteronomy 8:2-3

The Lord led you into the wilderness:

To humble you

Tested you to know what was in your heart

Humbled you and allowed you to hunger

Fed you with manna

Humility grows by the stripping away of self-sufficiency

. Deut 8: 2-3, 2 Chronicles 7:14, Psalms 25:9, Psalms 55:19, 1 Peter 5:5

The Lord Causes & Expects Humility

Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word

that comes from the mouth of the LORD

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

6

Jesus our Example

The King humble and mounted on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9 )

Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom (Mark 10:45)

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. --

Humbled himself by becoming obedient to death, yet was God in flesh (Philippians 2:5-8 )

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

A Commitment to Follow Jesus!

Humility is learned by following Jesus -

The Way Up is Down

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it (Mt 16:24-25)

Competitive ambition does not fit the profile of following Jesus

He humbled himself and became obedient to be a ransom and redeemer for all

The Servant is not greater than his Master (Jn 13:16)

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

7

Examples of Humility

Abraham. “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am

but dust and ashes…” Genesis 18:27

John the Baptist. “After me comes he who is mightier

than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. Mark 1:7

Results of Humility

Psalms 149: 4 For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.

Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

8

Humility is ….

GAINED and PRACTICED as we grow in wisdom and grace.

They that wait on the Lord…..

Quiet Waiting Reflective Listening

Expectant Waiting Active Looking

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

9

Group Exercise

What are the possibilities of the IDC, if leaders further armed themselves with humility? What would change?

What are the possibilities for your Church if leaders further arm themselves with humility? What would change?

What are the possibilities of our home/family if we further armed ourselves with humility? What would change?

With principles learned here, how can you better serve others?

SUMMARIZE KEY POINTS….

Following Christ requires humility. What does God require of thee but that you walk humbly before him and do what is right?

Humility is accomplished by the hand of God

Service produces humility and vice versa

Humility is gained and practice as we grow in grace and wisdom

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

10

CONCLUSION– LET’S PRAY….

Psalms 51:

10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

INSTRUCTORS: DISTRICT ELDER MARVIN BEMBRY &ELDER DOYLE SMITH

Application:

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

11

APPLICATION SESSION OUTLINE

Review Key Concepts Individual Review Small Group Discussion Video Plan

KEY CONCEPTS

Following Christ requires humility. What does God require of thee but that you walk humbly before him and do what is right?

Humility is accomplished by the hand of God Service produces humility and vice versa Humility is gained and practiced as we grow in

grace and wisdom

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

12

INDIVIDUAL REVIEW

Review definitions of “humble” and “humility” Pick one Bible character from the list below

that speaks to you on this topic. Why? Moses, Joseph, David, Paul, Jesus Describe what fully embracing “humility” looks

like in your life.

GROUP WORKWork Plan Template-Humble your Heart

Purpose: To create an accountable plan for your spiritual development.

Directions: Using this form as a template, develop a work plan for each goal identified through prayer and reflection.

Goal: Make it specific, measurable, attainable and time oriented. Example—By the end of 2015, I will prioritize the acquisition of this trait through the creation of an accountable, prayerful, action oriented plan.

Action Steps What Will Be

Done?

Responsibilities Who Will Do It?

Timeline By When?

(Day/Month)

Resources A. Resources Available B. Resources Needed (financial,

human, political & other)

Potential Barriers A. How will you deal with

fleshly objections?

Feedback plan Who is involved? What methods?

How often?

Step 1: Will read and study the book and purchase the study work book.

I will Within 3 days, I will order the

study work book.

A. I will set aside 15 minutes a day to read and reflect on this subject

B. Need to identify a trusted person who is willing to help me on this journey by providing feedback

A. I will fast and pray as I recognize the impulse of the flesh to object to growth

I will ask a trusted elder or my spouse or pastor for feedback on a monthly

basis.

Step 2:

A. B.

A.

Step 3:

A. B.

A.

IDC Council – July 2015 – AFCHumble Hearts

7/8/2015

13

CONCLUSION

Questions? Prayer