Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
The speaker says Ephesians 4’s ascent/descent logic is a model: gifts were “born out of Jesus demonstrating the way of humility,” and therefore the “first principle” for using gifts is to go down, not assert yourself or pout. How would your use of gifting look different this month if you treated “descending first” as the required pathway to any spiritual effectiveness?
Another way to ask: If using gifts well requires “going down first” in humility, how would you use your gifts differently this month instead of pushing yourself forward or shutting down?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, “descending first” would mean intentionally choosing humility, service, and willingness to suffer wrong rather than self-assertion, using your gift to strengthen unity and edify others under Christ. Effectiveness would be measured by whether the body grows in love and maturity, not whether your gift gets noticed.
- He explains Paul’s logic: Jesus “ascended… but… first you have to go down,” and this sets “a model for us.”
- Gifts and freedom came “as a result of Jesus humbling himself… even… going into the land of the dead.”
- He calls it “the first principle” for gifts: “we subject ourselves… serve others rather than asserting our gift and pushing our way or pouting.”
- He describes Jesus’ pattern: honoring the Father, serving, “took wrong and injustice cheerfully,” “blessed instead.”
- He links this to the “upside-down wisdom” that defeats Satan, like “setting the dynamite charges” through obedience and humility.