Humility

[Coaching Lesson #4 from our Serving Leadership Development Program—Achieving Organizational Effectiveness, Phase 4]

Humility is an essential quality of a Christian leader. It is the opposite of arrogance, pride, boasting, and vanity. Humble people don’t think less of themselves, they just think of themselves less. Being humble allows us to see others the way Jesus did and to give up our own interests to serve others.

Humility enables us to work and get along with other people, even those who may be difficult to work with. Where does humility come from? It comes from knowing “who we are” and “whose we are” as Christ-followers.

Case Study: The Humility of Jesus (Philippians 2:1-11)

The main goal of all Christ-followers—in particular Christian leaders—is to reflect the life of Christ in our lives. Humility is the character trait that best enables us to do that.

Paul tells us how to follow the example of Christ (vs. 5-11) by giving us three behaviors that Christ modeled for us. First, Jesus gave up His rights and privileges of being God’s son. Instead, He took on the very “nature” of a servant. Second, Jesus demonstrated humility through obedience to the Father, submitting totally to His will. Third, He only sought to bring God glory and trusted in Him for His reward. The humble leader seeks to please God only, and lets recognition entirely up to God. As the perfect model of leadership, Jesus set an example of what it means to be humble. Let us always seek to model these three principles in our lives.

Consider the following scriptures and how they may apply to leaders today:

• Proverbs 11:2-3
• Matthew 18:2-4
• Matthew 23:12
• Ephesians 4:1-2
• Colossians 3:12-18
• James 3:13-18

Discussion Questions:

1. How hard is it for a person who has achieved great success and recognition to be humble? Why?
2. The problem with humility is that as soon as we think we have attained it, we have lost it. How can we avoid this dilemma?
3. Read Deuteronomy 8:1-20. Consider how Israel’s pride led them to disobey God’s commands. How can our pride as Christian leaders and Christ-followers keep us from achieving the mission that God has given to us? Give some examples you may have witnessed or read about.
4. In what ways can we model humility for those who follow us?