Humility: Disciple’s Guide to a Humble Life

Provides a helpful way of viewing humility as at the center of interrelated virtues, such as patience, respect, considerateness, non-judgmental, reverent, compassionate, gracious, merciful, generous, hospitable, gentle, lowly, meek, patient, etc.

The Middle Ages saw a number of practices that go beyond fasting and waring sackcloth to humble oneself. Self-harm practices sometimes include self-flagellation, wearing a cilice, etc. These rise from a misinterpretation of Paul's statement about training and self-discipline for the games (2 Corinthians 9:26-27), and are not recommended and show a defective understanding of grace.

Provides a brief list of Jewish practices that indicated humbling or grief.

A litany or corporate prayer that can be read responsively. It is attributed to Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930).

Explores a set of virtues related to humility that help people live together: seeking unity, non-judgmentalism, forgiveness vs. retribution, avoiding class distinctions and favoritism, and humility in conditions of abundance. Concludes with John the Baptist’s saying, ‘He must increase and I must decrease.’

Follows Paul counsel to Titus on how to teach godly living to new believers on Crete. Explores a set of virtues in the same close orbit as humility – quiet and peacefulness, good deeds and generosity toward the needy, temperance and self-control, respect and honor, submission without servility, and patience, forbearance, and perseverance.

How can leaders lead others effectively while still remaining humble? Examines Moses’ leadership, ‘the humblest man in all the earth.’ Considers how assertiveness and planning fit with Christian humility. Gives five cautions for humble leaders, explores Paul’s thorn in the flesh to humble him, and Peter’s teaching on humble leadership.

Examines the second of Jesus two teachings on humility, that the greatest disciple is the one who humbly serves. Considers Jesus’ teaching on non-domineering servant leaders, his acted Parable of Washing the Disciples’ Feet, his Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, examples of humble service in the early church, and the importance of a right motive in humility.

Examines the first of Jesus’ two teachings on humility, that we must humble ourselves or God will humble us. Considers Jesus’ Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, his rebuke of grand titles, his Parables of Places at the Table and of Becoming Like Children. Explores Jesus’ teaching about welcoming low-status people, finally trusting God to exalt us, rather than seeking to exalt ourselves.

Since Jesus is supposed to be the disciple’s example, this lesson examines what Jesus says about his own humility. Then explores humility in the way Jesus treats people, including some of the hard-to-understand instances. Finally, observes Jesus and the Pharisees, and his tenderness at the cross, and his humbling himself to death, even death on a cross.