When I wrestled in high school I enjoyed the one on one duel, the ebb and flow that victory or defeat was always just ahead.  This week as we discuss Pride I find people engaged in a very similar wrestling match.  Curtis spoke about good and bad pride this weekend so, I understand that I can be proud of what Jesus is doing in my life and through my church.  I can express my pride in my children, spouse and fellow workers.  I also get that my pride can make me think that I am better than others or even better than God: that’s bad Pride.  However, sometimes there seems to be a fine line between good & bad pride, somewhat like the line on the football field that marks the first down on TV.  The line is easy to cross and I don’t always know when I cross it.  So, give your group the freedom to wrestle with Pride.

Some groups have wondered about the value of the videos.  Actually, the videos contribute to the study in at least two ways.  Believe it or not they are doing some teaching about Toxic Waste, especially for those who learn visually.  Second, and perhaps more important, the video ‘primes the pump’.  It is very easy and safe to speak about the destructive nature of pride expressed by the characters in the video.  It is easier to speak of my pride after I have talked about pride in the video. 

 I am finding that FLOW is very important to this series.  When the session flows quickly the study seems to pick up some momentum until the end.  If too much time is spent on each question the study seems to bog down so, keep a quick clip and don’t slow down until the end.  This way you will also allow your group plenty of time to buddy up for prayer.

The theme of serving others as the antidote of Pride seemed to appear at times in this study.  When was the last time your group talked about and carried out a service activity?  Now may be a good time to plan to serve others.