Day 1 - Lord's Day - Sunday - International KJV Lord's Day Sunday school Lesson - Teacher's / Student's
May 15
Lesson 11
Humble Faith
Devotional Reading: Micah 6:6–8; 7:18, 19
Background Scripture: Luke 18:9–14
Luke 18:9–14
9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray: a Pharisee and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Key Verse
The publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
—Luke 18:13
The Gift of Faith
Unit 3: Fullness of Faith
Lessons 9–13
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. List the attitudes and actions of the publican (tax collector) and the Pharisee.
2. Explain the inverse relationship between humiliation and exaltation.
3. Examine his or her own approach to humility and make a plan for corrective action.
Lesson Outline
Introduction
A. Society’s Extremes
B. Lesson Background: Pharisees
C. Lesson Background: Publicans
I. Parable’s Target (Luke 18:9)
A. View of Self (v. 9a)
B. View of Others (v. 9b)
15,000 Articles?
II. Tale of Two Men (Luke 18:10–13)
A. Trips to the Temple (v. 10)
B. Story of Self-Praise (vv. 11, 12)
C. Story of Self-Humiliation (v. 13)
III. Lesson in Exaltation (Luke 18:14)
A. Different Outcomes (v. 14a)
B. Different Life Patterns (v. 14b)
At What? Compared with Whom?
Conclusion
A. The Source of Humility
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Cilicia | Sih-lish-i-uh. |
Moses | Mo-zes or Mo-zez. |
Pharisees | Fair-ih-seez. |
Phylacteries | fih-lak-ter-eez. |
Tarsus | Tar-sus. |
What Do You Think? How do we know when we’ve crossed the line from having a holy God-confidence to having unholy self-confidence? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ In thoughts ■ In behavior ■ Considering 2 Corinthians 11:16–30 ■ Other |
What Do You Think? Under what circumstances, if any, is it appropriate to compare ourselves with others? Why? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ At work or school ■ At home ■ Considering Judges 8:1–3; 2 Corinthians 10:12–18; and Galatians 6:4 ■ Other |
What Do You Think? How might differences between humility and self-righteousness be evident as people participate in various worship activities today? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Regarding singing ■ Regarding observance of the Lord’s Supper ■ Regarding the receiving of offerings ■ Other |
What Do You Think? Which of Jesus’ personal actions helps you most to emulate His humility? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ Considering Jesus’ service ■ Considering Jesus’ sacrifice ■ Considering Jesus’ prayers ■ Other |
What Do You Think? What are some ways a church might unintentionally foster a spirit of self-exaltation? How do we avoid this danger? Talking Points for Your Discussion ■ In the area of reach (worship, prayer) ■ In the area of outreach (evangelism, benevolence) ■ In the area of inreach (teaching, pastoral care) |
Conclusion
A. The Source of Humility
While he used polar-opposite characters in the parable to make His point, nothing precludes a person who lives righteously from being humble. Likewise, there is nothing about a grossly sinful lifestyle that automatically engenders humility. Humility is a matter of the heart and of understanding our relationship with the Lord. We should never presume His mercy, just as we must realize we can never earn it.
Any attempt to justify ourselves by pointing out our many good deeds will fall short. Paul reminds us that no one is righteous through personal effort (Romans 3:11, 12). What should we do then? What hope do we have? Our only hope is found in humbly trusting God and His mercy. This is the essence of the Christian faith: the recognition that we cannot save ourselves. The best efforts of dedicated people like the Pharisees, obsessed with keeping the law, fall short. May God be merciful to us, for we too are sinners.
B. Prayer
Merciful Father, remove from us the impulses to exalt ourselves. May our hearts be humble, trusting, and compliant to Your will. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Be humble in all things.
Krause, Mark S. et al. “Humble Faith.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2015–2016. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jim Eichenberger. Vol. 63. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2015. 319. Print.
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