In the God-human relationship, consider an ancient principle that is an eternal principle. The principle: humility before honor. The road that leads to being honored by God is the highway of humility. A person must humbly serve God before He exalts him or her.
Suggestion: the teacher might spend a brief time noting the fact that people, including most Christians, want to be honored without serving.
That principle always has been true in the God-human relationship. It was true of Abraham, the great example of faith. God said, "Leave the city of Ur." Abraham humbled himself and left (Genesis 11:31; 15:7; Acts 7:2-4). God said, "Leave the city of Haran and leave your extended family for a place that I will show you." Abraham humbled himself and left (Genesis 12:1-4). God promised Abraham a son and gave him Isaac. God said, "Sacrifice your son as an offering to me on a mountain in Moriah." Abraham humbled himself, traveled to Moriah, and laid Isaac on the altar (Genesis 22). Because Abraham had the humble faith of submission, God honored him. Several nations descended from Abraham, including the nation of Israel. God sent the Christ to this world through the nation of Israel.
Suggestion: Abraham is one of the best known people of antiquity. Jews, Muslims, and Christians all acknowledge Abraham as an important figure in their religious history. Many kings descended from Abraham. Many nations were formed from the descendants of Abraham. Many powerful religious leaders are indebted to Abraham. Note that Abraham achieved his status and place in history by serving. A good example of his servant heart and attitude is seen in his allowing Lot to choose the land he wanted (Genesis 13). Lot owed everything to Abraham, but Abraham gave Lot his choice.
The principle, humility before honor, is still in force for all Christians. Peter wrote this to those "who reside as aliens" (1 Peter 1:1):
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you (1 Peter 5:6,7).
Suggestion: take a moment to note that it is completely unrealistic for a Christian to expect God to give him or her the supreme honor of life in heaven in God's presence without first submitting to humble service.
Even God's own Son lived on earth under the principle of humility before honor.
Remember last week's lesson: "Philippians, to develop a servant's mind, let Jesus be your example."
In all these ways, Jesus humbled himself.
Suggestion: emphasize the fact that even Jesus had to be God's servant before God gave him the honor of being Lord. Service was essential to becoming our Savior. To be the Savior who could properly represent us before God, he must experience our humanity. He can represent us because he genuinely understands us. He experienced our realities. He has been in the form of God, and he has been in the form of a human. Therefore he can represent us before God perfectly. See Hebrews 2:17,18; 4:14-16. Being a servant qualified him to be our Savior.
What did God do to honor Jesus? Read Philippians 2:9-11.
God gave Jesus a name superior to every name that has or shall exist.
The knees of those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. Perhaps this refers to angels, humans, and demons (see Luke 8:28-31) acknowledging that Jesus is Lord.
Every tongue
God the Father
From his birth through his death, list at least five ways that Jesus humbled himself prior to God exalting him to be the Lord and Christ.
Suggestion: the lists might include categories such as his birth to poor parents in poor circumstances; the family's necessary escape into Egypt when he was an infant; his baptism when he had no sin [to fulfill all righteousness]; his temptations in the wilderness; his ministry to the outcasts of society; his washing the disciples feet; his silence and refusal to retaliate in his Jewish trials; his refusal to protect or free himself in his Roman trials; his abuse and mockery after conviction; his death on the cross. The lists might also contain specifics in any of these categories.
Every person who has lived, who lives, or who shall live will bow before Jesus and confess that he is Lord. Some will confess as the saved. They believe. In faith they chose to acknowledge the truth that Jesus is Lord and Christ. They humble themselves before him by choice. Of their own will they surrender their lives to Jesus.
Those who refuse to confess as a free will act of faith will confess as the conquered in judgment. In the first century [and before], the conquered bowed before their conqueror and confessed the conqueror's superiority. All who are God's enemies, all who reject Jesus as Lord, will bow before Jesus and confess his Lordship. They will bow and confess as the conquered (see 1 Corinthians 15:23-28). Their confession will come from defeat, not faith. God has honored His servant Jesus by making him Lord. All shall acknowledge Jesus' Lordship. By faith or by necessity, they will acknowledge Jesus is Lord.
When Israel refused to surrender to God, God declared them to be a "stiff-necked" people (Exodus 32:9; 33:3,5; Deuteronomy 9:6,13). The "stiff-necked" person refused to humble himself or herself before God. Stiff necks refuse to bow. Stiff necks are stubborn and obstinate before God. In judgment, there will be no "stiff-necked."
Suggestion: perhaps have your class reflect on their actions as Christians. Does each person humble himself/herself willingly as an act of faith? Will he or she fall before Jesus only when conquered? Is he or she a stiff-necked person?
Thought question: how do you consciously humble yourself before God and Jesus:
Suggestion: ask each person to reflect on the posture he or she assumes in private prayer. Have you ever bowed your entire body in prayer? Have you ever placed your face on the ground in prayer? Have you ever placed yourself on your knees and raised your hands to God in prayer? Has your humble posture ever reflected your humble heart and mind?
Suggestion: reflect on the fact that humility in obedience occurs when we do something we do not want to do, but do because we respect and honor our Lord.
Suggestion: discuss how and when we show reverence in words, in topics discussed or not discussed, or in where we go or what we do. What are some additional ways that we show reverence? Discuss the fact that acts of reverence will not always be the same acts in different people.
Link to Student Guide Quarter 1, Lesson 8