Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School class on April 18, 2026.
Central Theme: This week, we’ll explore the impact that pride can have on our relationships with God and with others, and we’ll look at what the Bible teaches us about humility before others and, of course, before God.
Photograph by William Earnhardt
Read in Class: 1 John 2:15-17, and Galatians 6:14. Ask the class to identify the main message of these passages.
Study: What three main points does this passage teach you about pride and loving the world?
Apply: Ask yourself: How prideful am I, really? How might personal pride be impacting my relationship with God and others?
Share: Your friend says that the pride of life prevents us from sensing our need for God. Your friend asks what specific things in our world today make us feel the pride of life, and how we overcome that pride. What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: Luke 18:9-14. Ask the class to identify the moral of this story.
Study: What do you think of these two men? What did Jesus think? What important lesson is here for us all?
Apply: When did you last experience God’s grace in your life? (Indeed, we should experience this grace daily.) We should also show grace to others. Spend some time in prayer right now, asking God to humble you under His mighty hand, that He alone may exalt you in due time.
Share: Your friend suggests that the Pharisee was boasting about his goodness in order to earn God’s love, while the tax collector already knew he was loved. What do you tell your friend? See: You Don’t Love me, You Love my Accomplishments.
Read in Class: Hebrews 11:24-26. Ask the class to identify the main idea of this passage.
Study: Why did Moses choose to humble himself, and take a different path?
Apply: Reflect back over your life. If someone were to describe you, would they include “humble” or “meek” in the list of adjectives? Why or why not? The truth is that we can’t be humble in and of ourselves. Sin is part of our lives, which is why we need Jesus so much. Listen to or read the words in the hymn “I’d Rather Have Jesus” and consider these words in relation to Moses’ life and yours.
Share: Your friend asks if you can think of anyone in the world today who was great, like Moses, but humbled themselves and took a better, more humble path. What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: Luke 22:24-27 and Philippians 2:3-8. What is the common thread in these two passages?
Study: What one statement captures the heart of Jesus’ message here? What does this tell us about how we should live in light of the Cross?
Apply: Pride can be deceitful. I once talked to a lady in Texas who bragged about how humble she was. How can we make sure we are not taking pride in our humility? Which is still pride!
Share: Your friend tells you that, by arguing over who was the greatest, the disciples had obviously forgotten about Jesus, who was the greatest. See why pride is such an enemy to our relationships with God and others? Your friend asks you how we can make sure we are being humble and not just acting humble. What do you tell your friend?
Mission: Can you spend some extra time with God this week? Take your Bible, a pen, and a journal or some paper and find somewhere quiet– perhaps even outside. Invite God to soften and speak to your heart. Write out Psalm 138, word for word. As you write, what words especially stand out to you?
