1. Environment and Discipleship
Drawn from The Complete Book of Discipleship by Bill Hull

2. What role might environment play in the discipleship process?
What hinders growth?
What engenders growth?
People can grow in spite of horrendous situations or environments

3. The Optimum Environment for Spiritual Formation
Parable of the Turtle
What brings disciples out of their shells?
Trust: environment of relational security
Grace: environment of undeserved favor
Humility: environment of submission

4. A Look at Humility and Pride
Matthew 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Numbers 12:3
Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.

5. A Look at Humility and Pride
2 Samuel 22:28
You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

6. A Look at Humility and Pride
Psalm 18:27
You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.
Psalm 25:9
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
Psalm 147:6
The LORD sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.

7. A Look at Humility and Pride
Psalm 149:4
For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
Proverbs 3:34
He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
Isaiah 66:2
Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?" declares the LORD. "This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word.

8. A Look at Humility and Pride
Ephesians 4:1-3
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

9. A Look at Humility and Pride
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

10. A Look at Humility and Pride
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 15:33
The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 18:12
Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.

11. A Look at Humility and Pride
Proverbs 22:4
Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

12. A Look at Humility and Pride
Philippians 2:5-7
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!

13. A Look at Humility and Pride
Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

14. A Look at Humility and Pride
Titus 3:1-2
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

15. A Look at Humility and Pride
1 Peter 5:5
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.“
1 Peter 5:6
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

16. A Look at Humility and Pride
Proverbs 29:23
A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.
Proverbs 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 13:10
Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

17. A Look at Humility and Pride
Proverbs 8:13
To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Ephesians 5:21
Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

18. A Look at Humility and Pride
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

19. The Optimum Environment for Spiritual Formation
Trust  environment of relational security
Grace  environment of undeserved favor
Humility  environment of submission
Affirmation  environment of confidence

20. 2 Timothy 1:3-7
I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

21. Powerful Affirmations
I thank God for you
I pray for you night and day
I think about you all the time
I remember your tears
I long to see you
I am filled with joy when I am around you
I am reminded of your sincere faith
I know God has given you a spirit of power, love and self-discipline

22. Trust & Grace & Humility/Submission & Affirmation
What kind of environment does/did your church provide you for discipleship?
What could they start doing to improve it?
What must they stop doing to improve it?
What is your role in being a part of the solution?
What kind of environment does V.C. provide you for discipleship?
How could it be improved?
What do you need to do to be part of the solution?