Sunday, March 16

Memory Verses:

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. Mark 10:43

WANT TO BE GREAT? SERVE

This week we continue with week two in the series Serving Others In Love by discussing what it means to have a servant's heart. The Mark chapter ten passage is one of the Bible's great paradoxes (a statement that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a truth). It states:

"Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:42-45

Did you see paradoxes in the passage? "Great among you must be your servant." "Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." We are to be transformed. We are challenged to move from a selfish heart to servant heart. Encourage each other to grow as followers of Christ in ministrymindedness. Spiritual maturity isn't easy or natural, and we need support from each other to make serving a regular part of our life.

Share about a time when you did something for someone without being asked. How did the person react? How did that reaction make you feel?

For many people, serving others isn't convenient and doesn't come naturally. How is it for you?

Jesus makes a strong distinction between the world's way and God's way. Why is the world the way it is?

What does it mean to be great in the eyes of the world? What does it take to be great in God's eyes?

Respond to this statement: Christians love talking about being a servant until someone treats them like one. What do you like about this statement? What don't you like?

Slave is a pretty strong word that Jesus uses to describe the Christian life. Would slave be a good description of your commitment to serve God and others?

Jesus showed with his life what he meant by serving. Read Philippians 2:1-8. What point is Paul trying to make by asking these four questions? How was Jesus humble in this passage?

Ministry is all about serving God by serving others with an attitude of love. Jesus made it clear that when we serve others, we are serving him. What are some practical ways you can serve others this week? Write them down. Ask for accountability.