Embracing Humility and Community in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Humility Opens the Door to Healing

True healing often requires us to lay down our pride and accept help, even when the solution seems simple or beneath us. Naaman, a powerful and respected leader, was brought low by his illness and his own pride, expecting a grand gesture for his healing. Yet, it was only when he humbled himself and followed the prophet Elisha’s simple instruction to wash in the muddy Jordan River that he was restored, not just physically but spiritually. Like Naaman, we may find that our own transformation begins when we are willing to become vulnerable, to listen to unexpected voices, and to trust God’s way over our own. [39:41]

2 Kings 5:9-14 (ESV)
So Naaman came with his horses and chariots and stood at the door of Elisha's house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.” But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, “Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper. Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?” So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, “My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Reflection: Where in your life are you resisting a simple act of humility that could lead to healing or restoration?

Day 2: The Power of Bearing One Another’s Burdens

We are called to live in community, supporting and carrying each other’s burdens with gentleness rather than judgment. In a world that often encourages self-sufficiency and pride, the invitation to bear one another’s burdens is countercultural and deeply transformative. When we set aside our own egos and invest in the well-being of others, we participate in God’s law of love and sow seeds that will yield a harvest of hope and joy. [42:35]

Galatians 6:1-5, 7-10 (ESV)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. ... Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Reflection: Who in your life is carrying a heavy burden right now, and how can you come alongside them in a spirit of gentleness today?

Day 3: Sent Together—The Buddy System of Discipleship

Jesus sends his followers out in pairs, never alone, reminding us that the work of God is not meant to be done in isolation. The journey of faith can be perilous and challenging, but God provides us with companions to encourage, support, and strengthen us along the way. Whether we are facing opposition or simply the daily struggles of discipleship, we are called to lean on one another, to share the load, and to remember that we are never meant to go it alone. [49:46]

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 (ESV)
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ ... “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.” The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Reflection: Who is your “buddy” in faith right now, and how can you intentionally support and encourage each other in your walk with Christ this week?

Day 4: Embracing Childlike Vulnerability and Grace

Returning to a childlike posture—open, vulnerable, and receptive—enables us to receive God’s grace and transformation more fully. Children are quick to express their needs, to demand justice, and to accept help; they are easily amazed and not afraid to show their treasures or their wounds. In the same way, we are invited to approach God and one another with humility, honesty, and wonder, trusting that God’s foolishness is wiser than our wisdom and that grace is found in our willingness to be vulnerable. [40:26]

Matthew 18:2-4 (ESV)
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Reflection: What would it look like for you to approach God and others today with the vulnerability and openness of a child?

Day 5: Sharing Peace and Letting Go of Control

Our calling is to offer peace and the good news of God’s kingdom to all, without trying to control how others respond. Jesus instructs his followers to proclaim peace first, regardless of the outcome, and to move on without bitterness if their message is not received. Our responsibility is to witness faithfully, trusting that God’s word will accomplish its purpose, even if we do not see immediate results. Letting go of the need to control outcomes frees us to serve with joy and perseverance. [45:30]

Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV)
“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”

Reflection: Where are you holding on too tightly to the results of your witness or service, and how can you release those outcomes to God today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s gathering was a reminder that God meets us in every season—especially in times of uncertainty, endings, and new beginnings. We began by acknowledging that even when the world feels heavy and our hearts ache, God’s presence surrounds us with hope and healing. Our worship and prayers invited us to trust that God continually brings us into new beginnings, mending our brokenness and guiding us through troubled times.

Reflecting on the story of Naaman, we explored how pride and entitlement can become barriers to God’s grace. Naaman, a powerful and respected man, was brought low by illness and forced to confront his own vulnerability. It was not through grand gestures or impressive rituals that he found healing, but through a simple, humbling act—washing in the muddy waters of the Jordan. This act of humility, prompted by the wisdom of a young servant girl, became the doorway to his restoration. We, too, often hide our brokenness behind armor and reputation, but God calls us to a childlike openness, to accept grace in unexpected and sometimes unimpressive ways.

The readings from Galatians and Luke reminded us that the Christian life is not a solitary journey. Paul urges us to bear one another’s burdens with gentleness, resisting the temptation to judge or blame. Jesus sends his followers out in pairs, not alone, to proclaim peace and healing, knowing that the work is both joyous and perilous. We are not called to control the response of others, but to faithfully witness, trusting that God’s word will bear fruit in its time.

We are invited to lay aside our pride, accept help, and support one another. The “buddy system” of discipleship is not just practical—it is essential. We cannot attempt the deep work of following Christ on our own. Communion, open to all, is a tangible reminder that God’s table is wide, and that we are nourished and transformed together. As we go out, we are called to use our freedom not for ourselves alone, but to share grace, love, and hope with others, bearing one another’s burdens and rejoicing in the harvest God brings.

Key Takeaways

1. Humility Opens the Door to Healing Naaman’s story teaches that true healing often requires us to set aside pride and embrace vulnerability. God’s grace is not accessed through status or impressive acts, but through simple, humble obedience—even when it seems unimpressive or beneath us. The willingness to accept help, even from unexpected sources, is often the first step toward restoration. [33:11]
2. Childlike Faith and Openness to Grace Jesus calls us to become like children—not in naivety, but in vulnerability, honesty, and the ability to receive grace. Children demand justice, show their wounds openly, and are easily amazed by goodness. Returning to this posture allows us to accept God’s gifts without pretense, and to be transformed by even the simplest acts of faith. [40:26]
3. Bearing One Another’s Burdens is Central to Christian Life Paul’s exhortation in Galatians is countercultural: instead of blaming or judging, we are to carry each other’s burdens with gentleness. This requires letting go of political and personal pride, recognizing that our worth is not in being “something” but in serving one another in love. The weight of our own ideologies must not prevent us from compassion and solidarity. [42:35]
4. The Mission is Shared, Not Solitary Jesus sends his followers out in pairs, emphasizing that discipleship is not meant to be a solo endeavor. The work of proclaiming peace and healing is both joyful and challenging, and we need companions to encourage, critique, and support us. Attempting to follow Christ alone leads to burnout and isolation; together, we are strengthened for the journey. [49:46]
5. Faithfulness Over Outcomes: Trusting God with the Harvest Our responsibility is to witness and serve, not to control how others respond. Jesus teaches that the offer of peace and the nearness of God’s kingdom is extended to all, regardless of their reception. We can trust that God’s word will not return void, and that even seeds planted in obscurity may bear fruit years later. [45:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
[02:56] - Communion Hymn: Come Share the Lord
[06:03] - Announcements & Community Life
[07:20] - Song Introduction: Reflections on Freedom
[11:41] - Childhood Memories & Civil Rights Reflections
[13:44] - The Story Behind the Song
[16:42] - Children’s Time: Naaman’s Story
[21:50] - Scripture Readings
[27:02] - Gospel Reading: Luke 10
[31:41] - Naaman: Pride, Pain, and Healing
[37:25] - The Humility of Faith
[42:35] - Bearing One Another’s Burdens
[45:30] - The Mission: Witnessing and Rejection
[49:46] - The Buddy System of Discipleship
[50:48] - Lessons for the Journey
[51:35] - Prayer of Transformation
[53:15] - Prayers for the World and Community
[55:55] - Communion: The Open Table
[57:36] - Thanksgiving and Offering
[65:42] - Benediction and Sending Forth

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Kings 5:1-14 (ESV) – The Healing of Naaman — Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” ... So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

Galatians 6:1-5 (ESV) – Bear One Another’s Burdens — Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.

Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 (ESV) – Jesus Sends Out the Seventy-Two — After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. ... Whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ ... The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” ... Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Observation Questions

What was Naaman’s initial reaction to Elisha’s instructions, and what does this reveal about his expectations for healing? ([37:25])
According to Galatians 6, what attitude does Paul say we should have when helping someone who is struggling? ([42:35])
In Luke 10, why does Jesus send his followers out in pairs rather than alone? ([49:46])
What is the first thing Jesus tells his disciples to say when they enter a house, and what does this show about their mission? ([44:47])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Naaman struggled with the idea of being healed through something as simple as washing in the Jordan River? What does this say about how we sometimes approach God’s instructions? ([37:25])
How does Paul’s command to “bear one another’s burdens” challenge the way people often respond to others’ struggles or failures? ([42:35])
What might be the dangers of trying to follow Jesus or serve others without support from fellow believers? ([49:46])
Jesus tells his followers not to worry about the outcome of their message, but to focus on being faithful. How does this perspective change the way we think about sharing our faith or serving others? ([45:30])

Application Questions

Naaman almost missed out on healing because of his pride and expectations. Can you think of a time when your own pride or desire for things to be “impressive” got in the way of receiving help or grace? What would it look like to let go of that pride? ([37:25])
The sermon talked about “childlike openness” to grace. In what areas of your life do you find it hard to be vulnerable or honest about your needs? How could you take a small step toward greater openness this week? ([40:26])
Paul says to “bear one another’s burdens with gentleness.” Is there someone in your life right now who needs you to come alongside them gently, rather than with judgment or advice? What would that look like in practice? ([42:35])
The “buddy system” of discipleship was described as essential, not just practical. Who is someone you can rely on for spiritual support, and who relies on you? If you don’t have someone, what could you do to build that kind of relationship? ([49:46])
Jesus sends his followers out knowing that not everyone will respond positively. Is there a situation where you’ve been discouraged because you didn’t see the results you hoped for? How can you trust God with the outcome and focus on being faithful instead? ([45:30])
Communion was described as a reminder that God’s table is wide and we are nourished together. How does participating in communion (or sharing a meal with others) help you experience God’s grace and community? ([55:55])
The sermon encouraged using our freedom not just for ourselves, but to share grace, love, and hope. What is one specific way you can use your freedom this week to serve or encourage someone else? ([50:48])

Sermon Clips

For me, the only way to make a lasting difference in all of this is to continue being the church, to continue doing the work, to continue following God's, Jesus' Spirit's instructions, even when we think we know better. Even when we're so full of pride that we don't want to do the very things that will heal us. [00:31:02] (31 seconds) #continueTheWork

His disability is hidden, as many times we hide our own brokenness, whatever our challenges may be. His unsought humility was mirrored to him in the person of the young girl, a young woman. She's small, she's female, he's the big captain. All the other healers have failed him, and he's desperate enough to follow her tip about the prophet Elisha. [00:33:15] (28 seconds) #hiddenHumility

But this thing of feeling entitled to something that you didn't earn, something that you're basically stealing or taking from those who need it most, that is such a barrier to God's grace. [00:35:10] (18 seconds) #graceBarriers

All of Christianity is a kind of return to childhood, a training in humility. All of our gestures sometimes might seem silly. Folding our hands, raising our hands, bowing our heads, maybe kneeling now and then. We believe in vulnerability, humility, a bit of flailing and embarrassment. [00:40:32] (20 seconds) #childlikeChristianity

But we remember the water, the humiliation, for Naaman, this sort of baptism, this cleansing, washing away the pain. Just when his life was spiraling out of control, becoming like a child was the answer for him. [00:42:17] (18 seconds) #baptismalHumility

We bear one another's burdens instead of blaming or judging. We carry an awful burden of political ideology and pride. It's heavy and it's painful. Can we bear the other guy's burden by not investing it with such weightiness? It is still temporal, far from eternal. And it is a form of idolatry that needs to be abandoned. [00:43:05] (27 seconds) #bearEachOthersBurdens

Our task is to witness, to bring the news, to share the news. Our task is not to control a person's response to our witness. How people respond to our witness, how people respond to you, that's not your responsibility. It's not my responsibility. It's that person's responsibility. [00:45:30] (27 seconds) #witnessResponsibility

Jesus commissions and sends these folks and reminds them, you know, I'm sending you out as lambs among wolves. Some of us probably feel that way right now. Don't be surprised when you get a pushback. There's a big harvest, but there's opposition. [00:48:22] (19 seconds) #sentAmongWolves

You can't tell the truth that needs to be told or do the things that need to be done all by yourself. I said, well, that's for sure. So all of you, all of you are here to help. My colleagues, my clergy colleagues are a great help. We need to help support each other. And that advice is confirmed in today's gospel. He sends us together. [00:49:14] (24 seconds) #supportInCommunity

The lessons today, don't be too proud. Accept help. Support each other. Don't try to do it all by yourself. Put aside our pride. Jump in muddy rivers. Venture into deep water. Get clean. Reach out. Accept the commission. And let's use our freedom to be followers of Jesus' way. And to share that. To share that grace and that love and that freedom. And help others to gain it also. [00:50:51] (40 seconds) #acceptHelp

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