Serving Sunday

Lisa Hensley   -   August 28, 2024

Opening

Allow time in your group for people to share some favorite stories of serving. How have you seen serving transform your lives and the lives of others?

 Overview

All of us want to be great. Jesus’ disciples argued about who would be the greatest among them and we really haven’t stopped arguing about it since then. We are designed for greatness. The problem is how we are defining greatness. We are tempted to define greatness as influence and respect, reward and recognition, and status and stuff. We chase whatever will give us those in things in the largest quantities. But the pursuit of human greatness weakens our soul and the church.

Jesus defines greatness as being a servant. What we sacrifice for and serve is what we truly enjoy. Serving the church is an outcome of enjoying God not something we do to earn His love or validate our position in the family of God. Service is how we pursue Christlike greatness.

Discussion Questions

  1. How have you been defining greatness?
  2. Who is someone that is an example of Christlike greatness to you?

Practice

Mark 9 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” 

Invite the Spirit to search hearts and reveal where you have been pursuing human greatness. If you feel comfortable, make space for people to name those things out loud. What would it look like to pursue Christlike greatness instead? How can you check back in with each other and help offer accountability?

Let everyone share where they are serving at church (or, if they are in a season of rest, where they have served before). What motivates them to serve? How has serving changed them?

Closing

Pray for hearts of service that come from a deep enjoyment of God.