BIG IDEA
When it comes to many of our sins and mistakes, pride is often at the center. Pride sneaks up in our lives and compels us to have an over-inflated sense of self and give in to sin. It causes us to worship the things of this world over God. Pride leads us down roads that we never intended to go down. Ultimately, it leads to our destruction. That is why Scripture calls us to rid ourselves of pride and humble ourselves before God.
BREAK THE ICE
Who is someone you know who is humble? What stands out to you about their humility
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study
1. In your own words, define pride.
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Daniel 4:18-27. Summarize Daniel's warning to Nebuchadnezzar in these verses.
Daniel 4:18-27
"'Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.' 19 "Upon hearing this, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was overcome for a time, frightened by the meaning of the dream. Then the king said to him, 'Belteshazzar, don't be alarmed by the dream and what it means.' "Belteshazzar replied, 'I wish the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you! 20 The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. 21 It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. 22 That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth. 23 "'Then you saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, "Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze and surrounded by tender grass. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven. Let him live with the animals of the field for seven periods of time." 24 "'This is what the dream means, Your Majesty, and what the Most High has declared will happen to my lord the king. 25 You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. 26 But the stump and roots of the tree were left in the ground. This means that you will receive your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules. 27 "'King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.'"
"'Belteshazzar, that was the dream that I, King Nebuchadnezzar, had. Now tell me what it means, for none of the wise men of my kingdom can do so. But you can tell me because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.'
19 "Upon hearing this, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) was overcome for a time, frightened by the meaning of the dream. Then the king said to him, 'Belteshazzar, don't be alarmed by the dream and what it means.'
"Belteshazzar replied, 'I wish the events foreshadowed in this dream would happen to your enemies, my lord, and not to you! 20 The tree you saw was growing very tall and strong, reaching high into the heavens for all the world to see. 21 It had fresh green leaves and was loaded with fruit for all to eat. Wild animals lived in its shade, and birds nested in its branches. 22 That tree, Your Majesty, is you. For you have grown strong and great; your greatness reaches up to heaven, and your rule to the ends of the earth.
23 "'Then you saw a messenger, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, "Cut down the tree and destroy it. But leave the stump and the roots in the ground, bound with a band of iron and bronze and surrounded by tender grass. Let him be drenched with the dew of heaven. Let him live with the animals of the field for seven periods of time."
24 "'This is what the dream means, Your Majesty, and what the Most High has declared will happen to my lord the king. 25 You will be driven from human society, and you will live in the fields with the wild animals. You will eat grass like a cow, and you will be drenched with the dew of heaven. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses. 26 But the stump and roots of the tree were left in the ground. This means that you will receive your kingdom back again when you have learned that heaven rules.
27 "'King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.'"
3. Read Daniel 4:28-33. How did King Nebuchadnezzar demonstrate pride in these verses? What was the result of his pride?
Daniel 4:28-33
"But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked out across the city, he said, 'Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.' 31 "While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, 'O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32 You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.' 33 "That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles' feathers and his nails were like birds' claws."
"But all these things did happen to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 Twelve months later he was taking a walk on the flat roof of the royal palace in Babylon. 30 As he looked out across the city, he said, 'Look at this great city of Babylon! By my own mighty power, I have built this beautiful city as my royal residence to display my majestic splendor.'
31 "While these words were still in his mouth, a voice called down from heaven, 'O King Nebuchadnezzar, this message is for you! You are no longer ruler of this kingdom. 32 You will be driven from human society. You will live in the fields with the wild animals, and you will eat grass like a cow. Seven periods of time will pass while you live this way, until you learn that the Most High rules over the kingdoms of the world and gives them to anyone he chooses.'
33 "That same hour the judgment was fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar was driven from human society. He ate grass like a cow, and he was drenched with the dew of heaven. He lived this way until his hair was as long as eagles' feathers and his nails were like birds' claws."
4. Read Daniel 4:34-37. What caused Nebuchadnezzar's sanity to return? What was the result of his humility?
Daniel 4:34-37
"After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever. His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal.35 All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him.He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth.No one can stop him or say to him, 'What do you mean by doing these things?' 36 "When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before. 37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud."
"After this time had passed, I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven. My sanity returned, and I praised and worshiped the Most High and honored the one who lives forever.
His rule is everlasting, and his kingdom is eternal.35 All the people of the earth are nothing compared to him.He does as he pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth.No one can stop him or say to him, 'What do you mean by doing these things?'
36 "When my sanity returned to me, so did my honor and glory and kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored as head of my kingdom, with even greater honor than before.
37 "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and glorify and honor the King of heaven. All his acts are just and true, and he is able to humble the proud."
Application
1. How does pride impact us negatively?
2. Describe the positive impacts of humility?
3. Is there any area of pride that you have been holding on to? What does it look like to choose humility in that area?
MOVING FORWARD
As followers of Christ, God calls us to live in humility. Read Philippians 2:1-8. After reading these verses, think of one way that you can demonstrate Christ-like humility this week. Then, share this with your group. When everyone has shared, pray together. Ask God to give you all spirits of humility as you seek to let go of the pride in your life that you have been carrying.
Going Deeper
We have seen in our study today the hindrance that pride has in our lives. The question is, how do we let go of pride and live in humility? Let’s take a look at ways we can live humbly and turn away from pride according to Scripture.
Acknowledge God's Greatness and Power:
When we are stuck in our own pride, we need to remember God, the One who is in control. In a world where our worlds often revolve around us, we must look to the one true God. When we look to Him and acknowledge that He alone is God who holds all power and authority, our pride fades away in light of His greatness.
1. Read Psalm 86:8-13.
Psalm 86:8-13
"No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do!9 All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name.10 For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God. 11 Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.12 With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever,13 for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death."
"No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do!9 All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name.10 For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God.
11 Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.12 With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever,13 for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death."
2. What does this Psalm reveal about God?
3. What is the response of David, the author of this Psalm, to God's greatness and power?
4. How does recognizing who God is impact our pride?
Confess Sin and Repent from It:
Prideful people have a hard time acknowledging sin and mistakes. They do not like to acknowledge, much less see, where they have gone wrong. Confession, however, breaks pride. It causes us to admit where we have failed, say “I’m sorry,” and leave sin behind. When we confess our sin, we let go of pride.
1. Read James 4:5-10.
James 4:5-10
"Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."
"Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."
2. How does God respond to those who are prideful versus those who are humble?
3. How is confessing sin connected with humility?
4. What is the impact of confession? How does confession cause us to let go of pride?
Serve:
One final way we can turn away from pride is by stepping out to serve. You see, while pride causes us to focus on ourselves, service requires humbly focusing on others. As we think about others and how we can help and serve, it is impossible to hold on to pride as well.
1. Read Mark 10:41-45.
Mark 10:41-45
"When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. 42 So Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 43 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."
2. What is different about the way Jesus calls His followers to live in this passage of Scripture?
3. What holds people back from living a lifestyle of service?
4. How does service cause us to let go of pride?
Reflect:Take time to reflect on the Scripture you have read today.1. Does living in humility by acknowledging God's power, confessing and repenting of sin, and serving come naturally for you? Why or why not?2. Which of these areas, recognizing God's power, confessing and repenting of sin, or serving would you like to grow in? Why?3. What is one step you can take to grow in the area that you would like to grow in?
One area all of us can take steps to grow is to follow Jesus’ example of serving others. When you think about Jesus’ model of service, what is one thing you can do to follow His example? Share that with your group. Commit to implementing that step starting this week and praying for each other throughout the week as you seek to serve the people around you.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
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