Dear Friends,
Next week we will begin a new series together. The title is “SERVE IT UP”, Serving God by Serving Others.
We will talk about all Jesus and the apostles taught about the call to greatness by serving.
We will in each week give an area an example of how as followers of the greatest servant of all Jesus.
This week I will introduce the revolutionary teachings of Jesus on true greatness.
We live in a world and a culture that strives for and promises greatness. There are many ideas and mixed messages about what true greatness looks like.
Jesus takes us back to what we ’re created for; servant leadership.
This is in such stark contrast to most of what our social institutions teach us from the earliest age.
We are taught to dominate, intimidate, and manipulate our way to the top and “succeed “.
The greatness of God must be learned and practiced. This series endeavors to help us do that.
Here is a general list of topics in this series. If you think of a video, a story, testimony or a living example of a servant leader that relates let me know. I will try to use any ideas in my messages.
Blessings,
Joe
Title: “Serve It Up”
- A Different Model-Mark 10
- The Ultimate Example-John 13
- Who Do you Follow
- Serving in Place
- Serving Children
- Serving as Work
- Serving in Marriage
- Serving through Parenting
- Serving Together
- Serving by Giving
- Serving by Prayer
- Serving the Poor
- Serving Elders
- Serving the Trapped
- Serving the Depressed and Lonely
STEPS TO PREPARE
PRAY FOR THE SERVICES AND FOR YOURSELF
AND ME AND THE OTHER TEACHERS.
PRAYERFULLY READ THE SCRIPTURES
AND CONSIDER THE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND A PREACHING SERVICE AND A SMALL GROUP.
INVITE SOMEONE TO COME WITH YOU.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY: SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Mar 10:35-45 James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, *came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” 39 They said to Him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you shall drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. 40 “But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41 Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. 42 Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. 43 “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. 45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
What do you think James and John thought greatness meant?
Mar 10:35-38 James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, *came up to Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory.” 38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
How do most of humanity measure greatness? Think high school, work, politics, business, history.
How does that contrast with the teachings of Jesus?
Mar 10:42-44 Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.43 “But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; 44 and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
What are ways we dominate, intimidate and manipulate to get to the top and” succeed?
Mat 20:20-21 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. 21 And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She *said to Him, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left.
Who is our model of true greatness?
Mar 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
What makes you fearful to make serving others your top priority?
Who is the top servant in your home?
What if you don’t feel like serving?
What is the difference between serving and enabling?
How can we use ideas about enabling as an excuse for being selfish?
What is the way you could serve at home today?
Bonus Question:
Why are we so star struck by powerful people even when they act badly?
