Ouch, this week’s reading was quite uncomfortable! Chapters 11 and 12 focus on the sins of pride and selfishness. These sins have roots that run deep and require the far reach of God’s grace to dig them out.

Questions for this week:

1. In what ways are these areas of pride a stumbling block for Christians: moral self-righteousness, correct doctrine, achievement, and an independent spirit?

2. How is humility a cure for pride? (Read Proverbs 11:2, Ephesians 4:2, Matthew 23:12)

3. What kind of attitude does Bridges suggest we have about our doctrinal convictions?

4. How is pride in our achievements an affront to God’s sovereignty? (1 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Samuel 2:7, Psalm 75:6-7, and Haggai 1:5-6)

5. What are some examples of ways we can take the credit for our children’s achievements?

6. Have you ever looked down on others, thinking you know better how to do something? Give an example.

7. Pride keeps us from having a teachable spirit and the ability to be discipled. What can you do to grow and develop a teachable spirit?

8. Read Philippians 2:4. How can selfishness be a blind spot?

9. Bridges gives examples of specific types of selfishness. Provide examples of selfishness in our speech with others. Give examples of selfishness in our use of time. Also give examples of ways we can be inconsiderate.

10. Our use of money is another example Bridges gives for selfishness. Read and discuss 1 John 3:17, Micah 6:8, James 1:27.

11. Christ is our example of unselfish giving. Read Philippians 2:1-11, 2 Corinthians 8:9

12. What is the cost for us in unselfishness?