Humility

Gideon’s story, reflecting the whole of the book of Judges, calls us to question how our identity plays a part in navigating the variety of the circumstances of life.

Our Exploring Faith series begins with a fascinating figure Jesus once called the greatest person who had ever lived. John the Baptist embodied rare courage, clear purpose, and deep humility—yet even he wrestled with moments of uncertainty. How did he navigate faith in seasons of confidence as well as confusion, and what might his story reveal for our own search for faith today?

Traditionally, it was assumed that the good news of Jesus was reserved exclusively for the religious. But God gives vision to both a religious man and non-religious man to correct the cultural understanding of who this good news was for.

The parable coveys the message that righteousness is unobtainable through our own efforts, and only obtainable through the finished work of Christ on the cross. “We are right not because we have done right, but because we have been made right.”

Power can corrupt or cleanse. It can induce fear or freedom. It always, however, reveals. In this fascinating case study of contrasting figures of power, we’ll see these dynamics at work and learn invaluable lessons for our lives today.

The writer Simone Weil defines humility as “attentive patience.” How do we become people who practice what we preach, so attuned to others’ needs that we discover lives of uncommon purpose?