What does it mean to Walk Humbly?
The saints, servants, and sages of the church are frequently praised for their humble lifestyles. They delight in simple things, avoid the spotlight, eschew material goods, downplay their accomplishments, and make their lives among the lowly. What does humility have to do with following Jesus? Why is this such an important element of Christian life? Although Jesus possessed equality with God, he chose to give it all away. Jesus poured out everything he had and everything he was in order to share a humble, human life, even to the point of a cruel and shameful death. He gave his life for the life of the world. We are called to do the same, emptying ourselves to fill the world with God’s grace. Walking humbly is to follow God’s way to abundant life. This does not mean putting ourselves down or hiding our gifts; it requires putting aside our obsessions with wealth, reputation, and power. It means we stop our anxious grasping and instead rest secure in who we are and who God has called us to be: God’s beloved children.
Learn more about Walk Humbly
Learn more about the theological foundations for this practice.
Foundational essay |
Introduction video |
Walk Humbly practices
Walking humbly means drawing closer to God and intentionally living more and more into our identity as children of God. It is a balance between not belittling or discounting our gifts and uniqueness while understanding that we are human, just like everyone else. Walking humbly with God sets aside preoccupations with wealth, reputation, and power; accepting our own limitations while celebrating and appreciating the multitude of gifts that others offer. As we walk humbly with God, we turn from ourselves, are quiet, and listen to the voices of others and of God.
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Other ways to Walk Humbly
EVEnts
See all of our upcoming events at www.fpclex.org/upcoming-events.
IN WORSHIP
Here's more about how we'll explore the practice of "Walk Humbly" in worship this month.
May 5: Remember that You Are Dust
In Genesis 2:7; 3:19b, God fashions the first human out of the “dust of the ground.” It is to dust that we return at death. Jesus tells a parable about a foolish man, in Luke 12:16–21, who builds large barns to store his earthly treasures, forgetting that these are only temporary.
May 12: Favor the Lowly
Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46–55 describes the subversive power of walking in humility. Jesus begins his public ministry in Luke 4:17b–19, echoing his mother’s insistence on God’s good news for the poor, oppressed, and lowly.
May 19: Avoid Judging Others
Jesus presents a parable in Luke 18:9–14 contrasting judgment and humility. In his religious zeal, a Pharisee fails to walk humbly; in asking for mercy, a tax collector exhibits humility. First Corinthians 12:14–26 emphasizes the importance of valuing of each person in the body of Christ.
May 26: Speak Less, Listen More
The Teacher of Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 advises us to take care in the words uttered before God, to listen and let our words be few.
May 5: Remember that You Are Dust
In Genesis 2:7; 3:19b, God fashions the first human out of the “dust of the ground.” It is to dust that we return at death. Jesus tells a parable about a foolish man, in Luke 12:16–21, who builds large barns to store his earthly treasures, forgetting that these are only temporary.
May 12: Favor the Lowly
Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1:46–55 describes the subversive power of walking in humility. Jesus begins his public ministry in Luke 4:17b–19, echoing his mother’s insistence on God’s good news for the poor, oppressed, and lowly.
May 19: Avoid Judging Others
Jesus presents a parable in Luke 18:9–14 contrasting judgment and humility. In his religious zeal, a Pharisee fails to walk humbly; in asking for mercy, a tax collector exhibits humility. First Corinthians 12:14–26 emphasizes the importance of valuing of each person in the body of Christ.
May 26: Speak Less, Listen More
The Teacher of Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 advises us to take care in the words uttered before God, to listen and let our words be few.
ADULT FORUM
There is no Adult Forum in May. Instead, you are invited to participate in our "Listening for God" class (in-person only). More details are here.
VIDEOS
Use these videos from our "Follow Me" curriculum resources to spur your own thought, or as discussion starters in your household, small group, and beyond.
Week 1: Remember that You Are Dust
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Week 2: Favor the Lowly
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Week 3: Avoid Judging Others
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Week 4: Speak Less, Listen More
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Further video resources on Walk Humbly:
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These videos are meant especially for kids and/or their parents.
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BoOKS & OTHER RESOURCES
Books
Websites & articles
Podcasts
Children's book recommendations
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian in Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
- Home Economics: Fourteen Essays by Wendell Berry.
- Gandhi on Christianity by Mohandas K. Gandhi
- Stride toward Freedom by Martin Luther King, Jr
Websites & articles
- "The eight kinds of humility that can help you stay grounded" by Ravi Chandra
Podcasts
- The Bible for Normal People: Jared Byas - What It Means to Take the Bible Literally
- The Bible for Normal People: Ally Henny - Finding Your Voice in the Face of Injustice
- The Bible for Normal People: Grace Ji-Sun Kim - A Theology of Visibility
- Everything Happens with Kate Bowler: Behold, These Precious Days with Ann Patchett
- Everything Happens with Kate Bowler: The Wisdom of Uncertainty with Maggie Jackson
- Everything Happens with Kate Bowler: The Art of Noticing with Margaret Renkl
- Everything Happens with Kate Bowler: The Mystery of God with N.T. Wright
- Everything Happens with Kate Bowler: Love Mercy with Bryan Stevenson
Children's book recommendations
- A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
- Yes, I Can Listen! by Steve Metzger
- The Biggest House in the World by Leo Lionni
- Giraffe Asks for Help by Nyasha M. Chikowore
ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN
God Made Me
Walking humbly with God is recognizing who we are as part of God’s good and wonderful creation. Sing along and follow the motions as you are able as you watch the video “KIDS—Love the Way God Made Me!” After the video, talk together about what you love about the way God made you.
Guided Meditation
During this meditation, you can imagine you are walking or moving alongside God, or you can physically move around. Find your place to imagine or to begin. If you are using your imagination and staying in one place, you can close your eyes during the meditation, but if you are moving around the room, keep your eyes open. Click here for the guided meditation. When you are finished with the meditation, reflect on the experience together. What did you like about it? How can either imagining or physically walking or moving alongside God be done during the week?
Walking humbly with God is recognizing who we are as part of God’s good and wonderful creation. Sing along and follow the motions as you are able as you watch the video “KIDS—Love the Way God Made Me!” After the video, talk together about what you love about the way God made you.
Guided Meditation
During this meditation, you can imagine you are walking or moving alongside God, or you can physically move around. Find your place to imagine or to begin. If you are using your imagination and staying in one place, you can close your eyes during the meditation, but if you are moving around the room, keep your eyes open. Click here for the guided meditation. When you are finished with the meditation, reflect on the experience together. What did you like about it? How can either imagining or physically walking or moving alongside God be done during the week?
ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH
Seed Bombs
Make seed bombs with wildflower seeds to introduce more native plants for pollinators (bees, birds, and bugs) to do their
job. To learn about seed bombs, watch the video “Unleash the Power of Seed Bombs: Guerilla Gardening at
Its Best!” Then make some seed bombs that you can toss in dirt patches in your neighborhood. Use the directions provided in the previous video or watch the video “DIY Seed Bombs—Easy Spring Craft Project" to see how to make them with colorful paper using molds. You can also roll the paper and seed mixture into balls as well.
Pick a Solution
Check out this guide with climate solutions for your home and neighborhood. Pick one or two and commit to practicing them throughout April. When the month is done, reflect with your family: how did it go? Can you sense the impact this made on the climate? What are long-term actions you and your family can take to address our changing climate and your impact on it?
Make seed bombs with wildflower seeds to introduce more native plants for pollinators (bees, birds, and bugs) to do their
job. To learn about seed bombs, watch the video “Unleash the Power of Seed Bombs: Guerilla Gardening at
Its Best!” Then make some seed bombs that you can toss in dirt patches in your neighborhood. Use the directions provided in the previous video or watch the video “DIY Seed Bombs—Easy Spring Craft Project" to see how to make them with colorful paper using molds. You can also roll the paper and seed mixture into balls as well.
Pick a Solution
Check out this guide with climate solutions for your home and neighborhood. Pick one or two and commit to practicing them throughout April. When the month is done, reflect with your family: how did it go? Can you sense the impact this made on the climate? What are long-term actions you and your family can take to address our changing climate and your impact on it?