Purpose: To identify the sin of pride as the chief stumbling stone for the Christian disciple.
Teaching: Today we will consider what is probably the greatest hindrance to Christian discipleship.
Have the group turn to Genesis 3:1-6. Explain that what is probably the greatest
hindrance to Christian discipleship was also one of the chief contributors to the fall into
sin. Read the passage and then ask the following questions:
* What role did the three sins listed below play in the fall into sin?
1. PRIDE: Satan's temptation was a temptation to be proud. "For God knows that
in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God...So when the woman saw that the tree was... desirable to make one wise..."
* What was so ridiculous about Eve's succumbing to this specific temptation?
Eve was ALREADY like God. She, as well as Adam, was created in the image of God. Satan
sold her a piece of property she already owned.
2. DOUBT: "You will not surely die..."
* What two choices did Eve have upon hearing these words?
She could trust God and His Word or trust the devil and his word.
* What role did pride play in Eve's decision to trust Satan rather than God?
She chose to believe Satan because it "seemed" to be to her advantage. For the sake of a
"supposed" promotion (from human to God) and greater "freedom", she doubted God's love, His
motives and the truthfulness of His Word.
3. LUST: "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (taste), that it was pleasant to the eyes (appearance)...desirable to make one wise (power), she took of its fruit and ate."
* In what three ways did Eve lust for the fruit?
She lusted over its taste, its appearance and its power.
Explain that pride was at the very root of the fall into sin. Have the people discuss what most people believe to be pride (most people equate it with being egotistical). Then read the definition of "pride" found in the box and ask the following questions:
* What is the difference between being egotistical and being proud in the Biblical sense of the Word?
A person is egotistical when they think they are better than other people. A person is having
"pride attack", biblically speaking, any time they place themselves or their will above God and His
will.
* Is it possible for person to actually have an inferiority complex and still be guilty of pride?
Yes! Inferiority complexes are the result of striving to be proud and failing. People want to feel
good about themselves because of who they are or what they do, but when they fail, the opposite
happens, so they feel inferior. A sinner never, in and of himself, has the right to feel worth. The
Christian disciple is a person who finds his worth in the Savior and what the Savior does through
him.
* How did Eve exhibit each aspect of this definition of pride during the fall into sin?
A. She exalted herself above God. She was not content to be created in the image of God,
she wanted to be God.
B. She exalted her own will above God's by choosing to disobey Him in order to fulfill her
own desires.
* What letter is the center letter in the word "pride" and why is it a very appropriate letter to occupy that position?
The center letter is "I" and it is a very appropriate letter since pride is the exalting of a person's
"I", or self, above God. (Perhaps this fact can assist us in remembering the definition of pride.)
* What is the center letter in the word "sin"?
It is also the letter "I". This is also very appropriate since sin is the displacing of God's will with
our own.
Now have the group turn to Proverbs 16:18 and ask the following questions:
* What does the author of Proverbs say precedes human destruction as was graphically illustrated by the fall into sin?"
Pride.
* What was the destruction that resulted from that prideful fall?
Sin corrupted everything. Death, eternal damnation, pain, etc. are all the result of sin.
Explain that the truth in this passage is a truth that will remain intact as long as
this world is in existence. Ask the group to share some examples from their own
lives of pride preceding destruction.
NOTE: Do not underestimate the importance of exercises like these to the study.
This is the first time the participants have been asked to apply a specific teaching
to themselves and share with the group. There isn't a single person participating
in the study that can't relate to this principle. All of us have experienced
destruction after an expression of pride. If the people never apply the teachings
of this study, their participation in the study is a waste of time. Furthermore,
allow ample time to share their experiences. Should there be a time lapse in the
thinking, here are some simple examples of pride going before destruction to
which most people should be able to relate, if not from their own experiences, at
least from the experiences of others.
A. Christians laying aside the commandment to neither mix nor marry unbelievers to their own misery.
B. People participating in sporting events or other activities because of the "glory", only to earn the opposite.
C. A prideful purchase or business transaction that resulted in unnecessary personal loss and/or stress.
D.Prideful boasting over children, only to have them bring dishonor.
Explain that the Scriptures list quite a few consequences of pride. The following
passages reveal a few of them. Read the passages and ask the questions:
* What consequence of pride is revealed in this passage?
Shame or Disgrace
* Prove from the fall into sin that shame follows pride.
1. Adam and Eve were ashamed of their nakedness (Gen. 3:7)
2. Their shame prompted them to hide from God (vs. 8).
3. They sought to avoid this shame by transferring their guilt.
(vs.9-13)
* Have the members of the group prove from the experiences they shared earlier that shame
accompanies pride.
* What consequence of pride is mentioned in this passage?
The proud person stirs up strife.
* How might this be done?
A. Proud people can't handle guilt so they are defensive and will vigorously argue with anyone who accuses them of error. They will seldom say they are sorry. Such offenses always produce strife.
B. Proud people are quick to defend their opinions since much of their self esteem is built around their infallibility. They are quick to speak and slow to listen.
C. Proud people exalt themselves by belittling others. This results in arguments and alienation.
D. Proud people are generally unforgiving and bear grudges. This attitude sustains division.
E. Others?
* What consequence of pride is mentioned in this passage?
God resists the proud.
* How might God resist the proud?
He can put physical, financial, circumstantial, etc., stumbling blocks in the way of the proud to
make their life more difficult.
* Why would God put such hindrances in a proud persons path?
As a judgment and also to lead the person to repentance and faith.
* What consequence of pride is mentioned in this passage?
Pride is deceptive. Pride leads man to think he is capable of creating the best path to life possible
when, in reality, it is the path of death.
* How do you think most proud people would respond in they were accused of being proud?
Most would, and do, deny the fact they are proud.
Be sure to explain that most people are not consciously proud, but rather this is
and unconscious state. People are by nature proud and what comes naturally is
usually done unconsciously.
* Why might it be said that pride is at the root of unbelief?
Unbelievers continue in their unbelief because they refuse to place themselves and their will under
God's. Self is the chief idol of the unbeliever.
* Why might it be said that pride does as much to hinder God's work as any other sin?
God's church will only accomplish its proposes when the church has God as its head and His will
is being performed. When individuals, families, and churches exalt themselves and their will
ahead of the Lord's, discipleship is impossible and the blessings of God are replaced with futility
and destruction.
Purpose: To reveal man's only hope for victory over pride is to be "crucified with Christ" and live
for Him.
Teaching: Explain to the group that God has provided a solution to man's pride, thereby bringing
to an end pride's destruction, shame, self deceit, and God's resistance. Galatians 2:20
directs our attention to the only solution for pride. There's no need to look the passage
up, it is printed on the study sheet. Study the passage using the following questions:
* Does anyone have an idea what the Greek word for "I" might Be? It's one you are all familiar with!
It is the term ego. Ego is the Greek word for the first person, personal pronoun, "I".
* What is meant by the term "ego" in English?
It is another word for "self". It can also refer to one's self esteem.
* What does Paul say happened to his "ego", his self, when he became a Christian?
He says it was crucified with Christ.
* How was this possible if he never met Christ until several years after Christ's death and resurrection?
The moment Paul believed in Jesus, his sinful, natural self was crucified.
* What was the outcome of the crucifixion?
Paul's "I" died!
* How would this affect His pride?
It would have destroyed it.
* How did this crucifixion affect Paul's daily existence?
Christ began to live through the Apostle Paul.
* Why was it possible for Christ to continue to live through Paul?
Paul, being continually motivated by Christ's love and sacrifice, lived his life by faith.
* What is the only way to overcome pride and its consequences?
To be reborn in Christ Jesus through baptism, thereby having one's ego and pride crucified and
being resurrected a new person in Christ. Living each day in the light of this new life, with Christ
living through one's body.
* If I am a Christian, how might I know it, as far as this passage is concerned?
I should have the marks of the life of Christ in my life.
* Since we have this great victory in Christ, is our struggle against pride over?
No! We must struggle to walk in victory every day.
*Does this mean that the crucified and resurrected disciple of Christ will avoid every form of
pride in his life? What about taking pride in one's children, in one's work, etc.?
The only type of pride that is not a sin is taking pride in the living God. "As it is written, 'he who
glories, let him glory in the Lord.'" (I Cor. 1:31) While we can take great pleasure in what the
Lord does through our children or us, our pride for such accomplishments must be in the Lord's
enabling us to experience such successes. If we have been crucified with Christ, we aren't even
alive any more, so how can we be proud of that which is dead and accomplishes nothing. This
does not mean that the Christian, because he is not taking pride in such accomplishments, produces
inferior work, Children, etc. No! He functions by a higher motive: "Therefore . . . whatever you
do, do to the glory of God." (I Cor. 10:31) The Christian doesn't need pride for motivation, He
has the love of God to serve this purpose in his life.
The remainder of the study deals with growing into the image of Christ and finding
continual victory over pride in our life.
Direct the attention of the participants to the assignment section on their
Study Guide. Point our to them that the first couple of day's assignments
following the study will usually involve reviewing the lesson, absorbing
the concepts, and memorizing pertinent Bible passages. The remainder
of the assignments will be practical application or expanded study of the
topic through other Bible passages. Each week's assignments will be
discussed briefly at the beginning of each of the lessons, so that questions
might be answered and important points reviewed.
1. Prior to this lesson I have been aware of pride's dangers and have consciously been watching for
its presence in my life. T F
2. Some areas of my life that still need to be crucified with Christ are:
3. How would you have defined pride prior to this lesson? How would you define it now? (Please
do not refer to the materials in answering this question.)
4. What was the most recent destruction you experienced as a result of pride? Was shame,
contention, self-deception and God's resistance also a part of this experience? How?
5. How many of the following describe your response to criticisms and reproofs in the past (check
those that apply)?
___ Defensive
___ Angry
___ Argumentative
___ Retaliation by finding fault with the reprover
___ Alienation from the reprover
___ Hurt feelings
___ Attentive listening
___ Self examination
___ Thanksgiving
6. If you have been crucified with Christ and Christ is living in you, His traits should be reflected through you. What similarities do people see between you and Christ? What differences? Are you more like Him today than you were a year ago? How?
DAY 1
* Review Lesson 2 using the Leader's Guide. Be able to explain from Genesis 3:1-6 the role pride played in the fall into sin.
* Memorize the definition of pride provided for you on the lesson outline.
* Be sensitive this week to how many times you use the term "I" and whether they are Godly or proud usages.
DAY 2
* Quickly review the Lesson 2 material by questioning each other on its content. This might be done by asking each other to explain certain parts of the lesson outline without referring to the leader's guide.
* Memorize Proverbs 16:18 and be able to explain the passage's meaning and application.
DAY 3
* Check each other's memorization of Proverbs 16:18 and the definition of pride.
* Memorize Galatians 2:20 and study it to the point that you can explain the meaning and application of every phrase.
* List the tribulations you are presently experiencing. How many of these are a result of pride? (Example: Financial stress resulting from a refusal to limit one's spending to one's income.)
DAY 4
* Read Psalm 10. This Psalm shows how pride accompanies unbelief. What traits of a proud person's life are listed here? (Especially verses 3-11 and 13)
* How can this teaching be used in your life and in ministering to others.
* Recite Proverbs 16:18 and Galatians 2:20.
DAY 5
* Have those people participating in these assignments with you share what they feel are any areas of pride in your life.
* How did you respond to their comments? Were you hurt? Were your defensive? Were you eager to listen? Did you retaliate? Were you argumentative?
* Recite Proverbs 16:18 and Galatians 2:20.
DAY 6
* Without mentioning any names, share with those present a recent instance of pride being reflected in the life of someone you know. Explain how the consequences of pride studied in this week's lesson were also manifested.
* Share with those present an instance you have witnessed in the past of a person being changed from proud to humble because of his conversion and being crucified with Christ.
* What did you learn this week as you were sensitive to the number of times you used the first person personal pronoun, "I"? Were you aware that you used it so often?