Christ had a lot to say about serving one another.
1) Christ’s Command to Serve
Service is no option for His disciples. As Christ’s disciples, we are to love one another. We are actually commanded to love our brothers and sisters. “This I command you, that you love one another” (John 15:17).
2) Christ’s Example of Humble Service
Jesus gave us an example of how He wants us to serve others.
You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him (John 13:13-16).
Underline the words master and slave in the verses above. What is Jesus commanding His disciples to do here? Circle your answer.
3) Leadership is Characterized by Service
Service is a special characteristic of those who are in any form of Christian leadership. Note Jesus’ startling words.
And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called ‘Benefactors. But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant. ... But I am among you as the one who serves (Luke 22:24-27).
• What were Jesus’ disciples arguing about? ____________
• Underline the two opposing forms of leadership in the passage above.
4) Faithful service brings great rewards
In the parable of the talents Jesus revealed God’s delight in rewarding those who faithfully serve Him. A ‘talent’ is a large sum of money (eg. 100 pounds of sliver).
The one also who had received the two talents came up and said, ‘Master, you entrusted to me two talents; see, I have gained two more talents.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master’ (Matthew 25:22-23).
• How did the servant faithfully serve His Master? Circle your answer above.
Application: Reflect a moment on your attitude toward serving others. How do you joyfully serve others through the things that God has given you whether it be wealth, a home, strength, knowledge or natural talent?
A strategic basic discipleship series designed to help Christians grow not only in their relationship with God but also with other people. Each section uses a familiar relationship to bring out basic but very practical Biblical teaching.
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Scriptures typically quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless noted:
(C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1988