Pride | Untangling the Heart | Week Two

Opening 

Invite your group to share the way this week’s message spoke to them personally. Did they recognize instances in their own lives where a response and reaction were led by pride? What was the result? In what ways is the Holy Spirit challenging them to step out in humility and boldness?  

Main Idea  

Pride, exemplified by the "Spirit of Cain," leads to arrogance, self-deception, and broken relationships, while humility, represented by the "Spirit of Abel," encourages accountability, self-awareness, and restoration. 

Overview 

Scripture: Jude 1:11, 16, 19-21; Genesis 4:8-9;  

Cain was unwilling or unable to master his sin, ultimately succumbing to his own evil desires. His pride destroyed his relationship with Abel, deterred God’s favor, and, in the end, led him to kill his brother. 

As we saw in the first message of this series, Cain failed to heed God’s warning to be introspective (Genesis 4:7). His need to be right and his self-deception overshadowed the Lord’s merciful call to reflect and repent. Blinded by pride, Cain hindered his own personal growth and allowed sin to take control. 

In contrast, the 'Spirit of Abel' embodies humility, driven by a heart that is Spirit-focused, self-sacrificing, and self-aware. This posture not only exposes pride but also brings restoration and aligns us with God’s will. 

Discussion:  

1. How can we recognize hidden pride in our own hearts, and what are some ways it affects our relationships with God and others?  

2. Cain ignored God’s warning and allowed pride to lead him to destruction. How can we make sure we are not allowing pride to lead our reactions and responses?  

3. What are some practical ways we can cultivate a posture of humility, self-sacrifice, and a Spirit-focused heart?  

4. How can mercy and repentance restore our relationship with God and those around us?  

Challenge Your Group To:  

Take time daily to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas of hidden pride in your heart and where it has impacted your relationships. Ask him to show you where you may be resistant to God’s conviction and repent if you are not obeying him.  

When you have moments when you want to defend yourself or prove you’re right, practice humility. Choose to respond with mercy and seek reconciliation.  

Identify an opportunity this week to step out in faith and take action in humility and boldness to serve someone in need and/or share the Gospel.  

Closing:  

End with prayer, leading your group into a moment of repentance for areas of pride that they are unwilling or unable to let go. Give your group a moment to lay those areas down before the Lord, releasing them from the grip of pride. Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak to them about specific responses and reactions that have been driven by pride.