40 Days of Focus: Serving - Week 6
Week Six – Day One – Finding Room to Serve
“Dare to reach your hand out into the darkness to pull another hand into the light.” - Norman B. Rice
How many rooms are in your house? Most houses have at least four rooms and it’s likely you have quite a few more. Houses always have a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room and a bedroom. You might also have a laundry room, a dining room, a sun room or a den. Some houses have three or four bedrooms. My guess is you rarely sleep in the kitchen and you never shower in the living room. Rooms are unique and so is the world you live in. Early in life your parents taught you how to use and appreciate the different rooms in your house. Has anyone ever taught you how to serve people in the unique spheres where you live?
Serving the in the Church is not the same as serving in your house. You shouldn’t approach serving at work the same as you do when you go to the movies. The one constant is you are called to a life of serving others. In Mark 9:35 we read, “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”Notice Jesus clearly teaches that we are not only to serve some, but all. Rich people, poor people, black people, white people, tall people, short people, church people and secular people. When you serve a homeless person, you will need to adjust your approach so that your gift of service is different than when you serve your aging mother or your three year-old son. Do you understand that serving others means more than serving the least, the lost and the lame? How is serving your pastor different than serving the newest person to visit the church?
The main spheres of service include family life, the work world, church, the community where you live and the places you play as well as the ends of the earth. It might help to think of each of these as different rooms with different purposes and diverse patterns. Knowing them will make you much better at living in them the right way.
Family Life – Is your family large or small, extended or limited? Does the environment reflect Kingdom values? Are you the leader or a role player under another’s leadership? Family life is your core. It shapes your feelings about yourself more than any other place. When things are good at home, life is much easier to handle.
Work Life – Are you part of a busy office or working in the field? Do you have great autonomy or repetitive tasks? Is your work week long or short, normal or varied? Do you work with other Christians or are you confronted with a harsh world view?
Church Life – Are you plugged-in at church or just a casual attendee? Do people look to you for wisdom and experience or youthfulness and excitement?
Community Life – Are you known at the local coffee hangout? Do you like walking in your neighborhood? Can you name the people who live on your street? Whether you have kids in the school or roses in the yard, you are part of the rhythm of the community.
Foreign Life – What places do you dream of visiting? The world is a big place and you are uniquely designed to impact not only your world, but faraway places. From giving to going, you can serve people on the other side of the world.
Questions:
1. Which area of serving is most difficult for you?
2. Is it easier to serve Christians or Non-Christians?
3. How does the knowledge that God put you into each specific sphere of service inform your understanding of your role?
Week Six – Day Two – Family Life
“There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread, but there are many more who are dying for a little love.” – Mother Teresa
“I grew up in a Christian family.” This one statement can mean a lot of things. To some it means hypocrisy, to others stability. In my case, it meant peace and purpose, stability and love. My dad was a strong and passionate leader who was willing to serve God and others at great personal loss. He was driven by a sense of calling and I never doubted his faith. Because of the way he served, I saw God at work and I never doubted the God he served. My mother was a constant support for my father and a nurturer who worked tirelessly to serve her family and her church. She too was passionate and made many sacrifices so that she could be a blessing to others. Our home was constantly opened up to people in need.
Later in life, I found an amazing Christian woman who agreed to be my wife. We met doing ministry and have served together ever since. Our kids live in a Christian home with Kingdom values and we bring them along to serve together as a family at our church and in our community. Family life, for me, is all about Biblical truth. As a result, we have a healthy, happy home. Life is not always easy, but it is always good. Everyone knows their role and cares for each other.
What is your family life like? Families come in all shapes and sizes. Have you found a way to live at peace in your own home? Do you fill the role of servant? Jesus said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Serving your family means using your gifts, talents, time and treasures to make their world more safe, secure and sacred. Are you easily offended? Do you quarrel often? Improving your serve at home might mean learning to give when you want to take. It might mean taking out the trash or doing dishes or giving up your favorite television show. Depending on your age and stage of life, you will find that serving at home means different things.
Living Alone – If you are on your own, you can’t serve the people in your house, but you can invite others there. Are you using your home as a place of hospitality? Are you connecting with others who live on their own?
Living with Roommates – Like it or not, you’re family now. God put you together, so it’s time to figure out how to serve your roomies. Do you do more than your share of the housework and yard work? Do you pay your rent on time? Are you demonstrating Kingdom values in the home? Are you bringing in music and movies that are appropriate or harmful?
Living with your Spouse – Marriage is tough. Nearly 50% of all marriages end in divorce and the Church is right in step with this trend. Marriage the way God designed it works well. Continue to invest in your spouse. Think of the things you did when you were dating. Care for each other. Make time for talking and romance.
Single Parent – If you are in this role, you have no choice but to serve. In fact, you serve so much that you have likely forgotten what it’s like to be served. You will need good friends to lean on and clear boundaries to keep you from burning out.
Married with Kids – This fast-paced, pour your life out for your kids season goes quickly by. Make sure you keep your marriage first and kids second. Happy marriages are the best gift for kids.
Questions:
1. Who is the hardest person in your family to serve?
2. Who is the best servant in your family? Why?
Week Six – Day Three – Work Life
“The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes by each honest worker.” – Helen Keller
Not everyone gets to do what they love for a job. Some work to live and others live to work. You may have a busy job with several co-workers. Others work alone and still others are bored at work. Your work situation is a gift from God no matter what scenario you find yourself in (students substitute school for work and bosses for teachers).
Serving your Boss. Most people have a boss they report to. Depending on your work environment this may be a person with little regard for Kingdom values. Do your co-workers live by Kingdom values? Some job sites are filled with anger, bitterness, competition and boasting. Your boss has a large part to play in setting values in the workplace. Serve your boss as unto the Lord and you may find that the entire office benefits.
Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Serving your Employees and Co-Workers. We all have insecurities. It’s part of being human. In the workplace these insecurities can cause us to build walls that protect us from others but also keep us from being vulnerable in front of others. These walls are often what rob us of our opportunities to serve. Service is a place of vulnerability. Remember, it is the Lord who lifts us up, not our own cunning. Sure, that might get you a couple of rungs on the ladder of success, but it is like a vapor and then it is gone. Real success is eternal.
John 13:13-17, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
The workplace is one of the greatest mission fields you could ever go to and you do it almost every day. It is no mistake you are there and the bible is clear that you are only a stranger and an alien on earth. You are just passing through. Your home is in heaven and it will be here soon. Use the time the Lord has given you to invest in others. Serve them and care for them. Model truth and speak truth.
When you find that your desire to serve your own needs is greater than the needs of others, you have lost the perspective of truth. God will raise you up, in due time. He is the One who provides for your future. Do what is right and just and He will lift you up. Exalting yourself is not why Jesus saved you. He saved you to serve in His name.
James 4:10, “Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.”
Questions:
1. Do your co-workers know you are a Christian? How?
2. Are you known as a hard worker? Are you known for honesty?
3. Do you help others at work to be successful or only yourself?
4. Do you pray for the needs of others you work with?
Week Six – Day Four – Church Life
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”
– Mother Teresa
Church should be the safest place on earth. Kingdom truth should always rule and every person should treat others with kindness, respect and love. Sadly, this is not the case. Often, church is the place where people are hurt most deeply. Because people are vulnerable and open, they are also taken advantage of and hurt. So what should we do? Should we stop allowing ourselves to be vulnerable?
You should always do your best to find a church where the leadership is demonstrating Kingdom principles. If the leaders are proud and domineering, you might be best served by finding a new place to worship. Leaders should lead by example and they should follow the example of Jesus. Once you have found a place with good leadership, you are still not really safe. People from within the congregation may still hurt you or let you down. We invite people to come to church just as they are. It’s a place of brokenness that is designed to bring wholeness.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
The Church is a place where broken people come to be healed. It is true, you will often find some of the most humble, caring, kind and generous people in the Church. You will also find everything in-between. Serving others in the Church is part of how we transform broken people and God creates beauty for ashes. Look for ways to serve others in the Church.
If you do a search in the bible for “one another,” you will find that there are more than 40 passages describing in detail what God expects us to do for those around us. From loving others to serving others we are commanded to be at peace, to defer, to build up, be like minded, accept, admonish, greet, esteem, encourage, stimulate, gather and confess our sins.
Who is responsible for your conduct with the rest of the church body? You alone must answer to God for your response to His bride, the Church. Do you love God? Love His Church. Love the people of the Church in the ways God asked you to. Can you imagine saying to me, “I love you, but I don’t care for your wife.” If you did, you and I would not be able to get along very well. I love my wife. God loves His Church.
Questions:
1. Why do you think churches are not the safest places on earth?
2. How do you know if the leader of your church demonstrates Kingdom principles?
3. How do you love and serve other Christians?
Week Six – Day Five – Community Life
“Go Into the Community, Show them God is Alive and Grow them into Disciples.” – Restlife Mission Statement
Let’s start by defining who the community represents. In Jesus’ day He defined the community by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. People are really good at finding loop holes and in Jesus’ day they were wondering who they had to love to keep the second greatest commandment. Their question was, “Who is my neighbor.”
Luke 10:30-36
“In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
Your community is anyone who is near you. When you drive to work, your community consists of the people in cars around you. When you buy coffee, it’s the people in the coffee shop. Your community is the people on the street where you live and the people at the park when you walk your dog. You are surrounded in community. How much service are you offering them?
One of the great things about your community is that it is familiar to you and you already belong to it. This means you are able to imagine culturally relevant ways to connect real solutions to real problems. What are some of the needs represented in your community? What common values do the people on your street share? Are there any common fears?
Identifying and satisfying the needs of your community is key to them discovering the truth of the gospel. Remember, good work creates good will which leads to good news. Is anyone in your community asking themselves, “Who is this person and why are they doing this?”
On my street people love a good, green lawn. One of the easiest ways to serve my neighbors is to mow their lawn. When I’ve got my own mower out, I just keep on mowing until I’ve done their lawns too. I can’t do it every time, but every time I do, I’ve crated good will. Does mowing lawns substitute for sharing the gospel? No. It creates the environment where that conversation will bear the most fruit. You and I must still take an opportunity to share the good news.
Questions:
1. What are some of the core values people in your community have?
2. What are some of the needs they share?
3. How can you provide help, hope or healing to your community?
Week Six – Day Six – The World
“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him might have eternal life.” John 3:16
There are more than 6,928,198,253 people living on planet earth today. They speak many different languages and come from several different continents, yet the Bible clearly teaches that God loves them all. He knows the number of hairs on every one of their heads. He imagined them, designed them and created them. God cares for people.
I recently saw a facebook post that said, “I asked God, Why do you allow poverty, suffering, and injustice when You could do something about it. - And He asked me the same question.”
God wants you to care about others and to make a difference in their lives by serving them. With more than 7 billion people around the globe there is no way you are going to care for all of them. But you could care for a few. Recently our family took advantage of a great opportunity to partner with Compassion Ministries to provide care for a little girl named Lyzza who lives in the Philippines. We provide about $38 per month to give her food and a Christian education. I don’t know how many kids in the Philippines need someone to adopt their needs, but I know there is one less than there would have been if our family didn’t care for Lyzza.
Doing something about the suffering of the multitudes around the world is well within your grasp. How are you serving the rest of the world? You can sign-up to go on a short-term mission trip and get on an airplane to go to a faraway place or you can send someone else to go there in your place. Either way, your effort will make an impact in their world which will only be understood in eternity.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
As an American you have significant influence. From money to manpower, you can be a force for good. If you love God, you will look for ways to serve Him by serving the ones He loves.
Questions:
1. How are you serving the rest of the world?
2. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in reaching the ends of the earth?
3. How is being American an advantage when it comes to serving your world?
Small Group Discussion Guide: Week Six
Open your time with prayer. Ask God to lead and guide you and welcome Him into your presence. Pray for each other and care for one another.
LOOK
Luke 10:30-36
“In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
John 13:13-17, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
LEARN
In Luke 10 Jesus uses a fictional story of a Samaritan man to teach us all what truly loving our neighbor might cost us. In John 13 Jesus demonstrates his own love for His followers by taking on the lowest of jobs and cleaning the feet of His students.
Questions:
1. Why do you think the Priest and the Rabbi walked by the man in need without lending a hand?
2. Do you ever do this? Why?
3. How might foot washing be similar to a habit we have today?
4. How did the Samaritan care for the wounded man? Was it more on the extravagant side or the cheap side?
SHARE
1. Did you participate in the One Thing commitment this year? Did you serve someone else during these past six weeks? Was it intentional?
2. How are these two passages the same?
3. How are these two passages different?
4. How has your church equipped you to serve others?
5. Which area of service is the most difficult for you and why?
“Dare to reach your hand out into the darkness to pull another hand into the light.” - Norman B. Rice
How many rooms are in your house? Most houses have at least four rooms and it’s likely you have quite a few more. Houses always have a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room and a bedroom. You might also have a laundry room, a dining room, a sun room or a den. Some houses have three or four bedrooms. My guess is you rarely sleep in the kitchen and you never shower in the living room. Rooms are unique and so is the world you live in. Early in life your parents taught you how to use and appreciate the different rooms in your house. Has anyone ever taught you how to serve people in the unique spheres where you live?
Serving the in the Church is not the same as serving in your house. You shouldn’t approach serving at work the same as you do when you go to the movies. The one constant is you are called to a life of serving others. In Mark 9:35 we read, “Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”Notice Jesus clearly teaches that we are not only to serve some, but all. Rich people, poor people, black people, white people, tall people, short people, church people and secular people. When you serve a homeless person, you will need to adjust your approach so that your gift of service is different than when you serve your aging mother or your three year-old son. Do you understand that serving others means more than serving the least, the lost and the lame? How is serving your pastor different than serving the newest person to visit the church?
The main spheres of service include family life, the work world, church, the community where you live and the places you play as well as the ends of the earth. It might help to think of each of these as different rooms with different purposes and diverse patterns. Knowing them will make you much better at living in them the right way.
Family Life – Is your family large or small, extended or limited? Does the environment reflect Kingdom values? Are you the leader or a role player under another’s leadership? Family life is your core. It shapes your feelings about yourself more than any other place. When things are good at home, life is much easier to handle.
Work Life – Are you part of a busy office or working in the field? Do you have great autonomy or repetitive tasks? Is your work week long or short, normal or varied? Do you work with other Christians or are you confronted with a harsh world view?
Church Life – Are you plugged-in at church or just a casual attendee? Do people look to you for wisdom and experience or youthfulness and excitement?
Community Life – Are you known at the local coffee hangout? Do you like walking in your neighborhood? Can you name the people who live on your street? Whether you have kids in the school or roses in the yard, you are part of the rhythm of the community.
Foreign Life – What places do you dream of visiting? The world is a big place and you are uniquely designed to impact not only your world, but faraway places. From giving to going, you can serve people on the other side of the world.
Questions:
1. Which area of serving is most difficult for you?
2. Is it easier to serve Christians or Non-Christians?
3. How does the knowledge that God put you into each specific sphere of service inform your understanding of your role?
Week Six – Day Two – Family Life
“There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread, but there are many more who are dying for a little love.” – Mother Teresa
“I grew up in a Christian family.” This one statement can mean a lot of things. To some it means hypocrisy, to others stability. In my case, it meant peace and purpose, stability and love. My dad was a strong and passionate leader who was willing to serve God and others at great personal loss. He was driven by a sense of calling and I never doubted his faith. Because of the way he served, I saw God at work and I never doubted the God he served. My mother was a constant support for my father and a nurturer who worked tirelessly to serve her family and her church. She too was passionate and made many sacrifices so that she could be a blessing to others. Our home was constantly opened up to people in need.
Later in life, I found an amazing Christian woman who agreed to be my wife. We met doing ministry and have served together ever since. Our kids live in a Christian home with Kingdom values and we bring them along to serve together as a family at our church and in our community. Family life, for me, is all about Biblical truth. As a result, we have a healthy, happy home. Life is not always easy, but it is always good. Everyone knows their role and cares for each other.
What is your family life like? Families come in all shapes and sizes. Have you found a way to live at peace in your own home? Do you fill the role of servant? Jesus said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Serving your family means using your gifts, talents, time and treasures to make their world more safe, secure and sacred. Are you easily offended? Do you quarrel often? Improving your serve at home might mean learning to give when you want to take. It might mean taking out the trash or doing dishes or giving up your favorite television show. Depending on your age and stage of life, you will find that serving at home means different things.
Living Alone – If you are on your own, you can’t serve the people in your house, but you can invite others there. Are you using your home as a place of hospitality? Are you connecting with others who live on their own?
Living with Roommates – Like it or not, you’re family now. God put you together, so it’s time to figure out how to serve your roomies. Do you do more than your share of the housework and yard work? Do you pay your rent on time? Are you demonstrating Kingdom values in the home? Are you bringing in music and movies that are appropriate or harmful?
Living with your Spouse – Marriage is tough. Nearly 50% of all marriages end in divorce and the Church is right in step with this trend. Marriage the way God designed it works well. Continue to invest in your spouse. Think of the things you did when you were dating. Care for each other. Make time for talking and romance.
Single Parent – If you are in this role, you have no choice but to serve. In fact, you serve so much that you have likely forgotten what it’s like to be served. You will need good friends to lean on and clear boundaries to keep you from burning out.
Married with Kids – This fast-paced, pour your life out for your kids season goes quickly by. Make sure you keep your marriage first and kids second. Happy marriages are the best gift for kids.
Questions:
1. Who is the hardest person in your family to serve?
2. Who is the best servant in your family? Why?
Week Six – Day Three – Work Life
“The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of tiny pushes by each honest worker.” – Helen Keller
Not everyone gets to do what they love for a job. Some work to live and others live to work. You may have a busy job with several co-workers. Others work alone and still others are bored at work. Your work situation is a gift from God no matter what scenario you find yourself in (students substitute school for work and bosses for teachers).
Serving your Boss. Most people have a boss they report to. Depending on your work environment this may be a person with little regard for Kingdom values. Do your co-workers live by Kingdom values? Some job sites are filled with anger, bitterness, competition and boasting. Your boss has a large part to play in setting values in the workplace. Serve your boss as unto the Lord and you may find that the entire office benefits.
Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Serving your Employees and Co-Workers. We all have insecurities. It’s part of being human. In the workplace these insecurities can cause us to build walls that protect us from others but also keep us from being vulnerable in front of others. These walls are often what rob us of our opportunities to serve. Service is a place of vulnerability. Remember, it is the Lord who lifts us up, not our own cunning. Sure, that might get you a couple of rungs on the ladder of success, but it is like a vapor and then it is gone. Real success is eternal.
John 13:13-17, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
The workplace is one of the greatest mission fields you could ever go to and you do it almost every day. It is no mistake you are there and the bible is clear that you are only a stranger and an alien on earth. You are just passing through. Your home is in heaven and it will be here soon. Use the time the Lord has given you to invest in others. Serve them and care for them. Model truth and speak truth.
When you find that your desire to serve your own needs is greater than the needs of others, you have lost the perspective of truth. God will raise you up, in due time. He is the One who provides for your future. Do what is right and just and He will lift you up. Exalting yourself is not why Jesus saved you. He saved you to serve in His name.
James 4:10, “Humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up.”
Questions:
1. Do your co-workers know you are a Christian? How?
2. Are you known as a hard worker? Are you known for honesty?
3. Do you help others at work to be successful or only yourself?
4. Do you pray for the needs of others you work with?
Week Six – Day Four – Church Life
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”
– Mother Teresa
Church should be the safest place on earth. Kingdom truth should always rule and every person should treat others with kindness, respect and love. Sadly, this is not the case. Often, church is the place where people are hurt most deeply. Because people are vulnerable and open, they are also taken advantage of and hurt. So what should we do? Should we stop allowing ourselves to be vulnerable?
You should always do your best to find a church where the leadership is demonstrating Kingdom principles. If the leaders are proud and domineering, you might be best served by finding a new place to worship. Leaders should lead by example and they should follow the example of Jesus. Once you have found a place with good leadership, you are still not really safe. People from within the congregation may still hurt you or let you down. We invite people to come to church just as they are. It’s a place of brokenness that is designed to bring wholeness.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29, “26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
The Church is a place where broken people come to be healed. It is true, you will often find some of the most humble, caring, kind and generous people in the Church. You will also find everything in-between. Serving others in the Church is part of how we transform broken people and God creates beauty for ashes. Look for ways to serve others in the Church.
If you do a search in the bible for “one another,” you will find that there are more than 40 passages describing in detail what God expects us to do for those around us. From loving others to serving others we are commanded to be at peace, to defer, to build up, be like minded, accept, admonish, greet, esteem, encourage, stimulate, gather and confess our sins.
Who is responsible for your conduct with the rest of the church body? You alone must answer to God for your response to His bride, the Church. Do you love God? Love His Church. Love the people of the Church in the ways God asked you to. Can you imagine saying to me, “I love you, but I don’t care for your wife.” If you did, you and I would not be able to get along very well. I love my wife. God loves His Church.
Questions:
1. Why do you think churches are not the safest places on earth?
2. How do you know if the leader of your church demonstrates Kingdom principles?
3. How do you love and serve other Christians?
Week Six – Day Five – Community Life
“Go Into the Community, Show them God is Alive and Grow them into Disciples.” – Restlife Mission Statement
Let’s start by defining who the community represents. In Jesus’ day He defined the community by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan. People are really good at finding loop holes and in Jesus’ day they were wondering who they had to love to keep the second greatest commandment. Their question was, “Who is my neighbor.”
Luke 10:30-36
“In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
Your community is anyone who is near you. When you drive to work, your community consists of the people in cars around you. When you buy coffee, it’s the people in the coffee shop. Your community is the people on the street where you live and the people at the park when you walk your dog. You are surrounded in community. How much service are you offering them?
One of the great things about your community is that it is familiar to you and you already belong to it. This means you are able to imagine culturally relevant ways to connect real solutions to real problems. What are some of the needs represented in your community? What common values do the people on your street share? Are there any common fears?
Identifying and satisfying the needs of your community is key to them discovering the truth of the gospel. Remember, good work creates good will which leads to good news. Is anyone in your community asking themselves, “Who is this person and why are they doing this?”
On my street people love a good, green lawn. One of the easiest ways to serve my neighbors is to mow their lawn. When I’ve got my own mower out, I just keep on mowing until I’ve done their lawns too. I can’t do it every time, but every time I do, I’ve crated good will. Does mowing lawns substitute for sharing the gospel? No. It creates the environment where that conversation will bear the most fruit. You and I must still take an opportunity to share the good news.
Questions:
1. What are some of the core values people in your community have?
2. What are some of the needs they share?
3. How can you provide help, hope or healing to your community?
Week Six – Day Six – The World
“For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him might have eternal life.” John 3:16
There are more than 6,928,198,253 people living on planet earth today. They speak many different languages and come from several different continents, yet the Bible clearly teaches that God loves them all. He knows the number of hairs on every one of their heads. He imagined them, designed them and created them. God cares for people.
I recently saw a facebook post that said, “I asked God, Why do you allow poverty, suffering, and injustice when You could do something about it. - And He asked me the same question.”
God wants you to care about others and to make a difference in their lives by serving them. With more than 7 billion people around the globe there is no way you are going to care for all of them. But you could care for a few. Recently our family took advantage of a great opportunity to partner with Compassion Ministries to provide care for a little girl named Lyzza who lives in the Philippines. We provide about $38 per month to give her food and a Christian education. I don’t know how many kids in the Philippines need someone to adopt their needs, but I know there is one less than there would have been if our family didn’t care for Lyzza.
Doing something about the suffering of the multitudes around the world is well within your grasp. How are you serving the rest of the world? You can sign-up to go on a short-term mission trip and get on an airplane to go to a faraway place or you can send someone else to go there in your place. Either way, your effort will make an impact in their world which will only be understood in eternity.
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
As an American you have significant influence. From money to manpower, you can be a force for good. If you love God, you will look for ways to serve Him by serving the ones He loves.
Questions:
1. How are you serving the rest of the world?
2. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in reaching the ends of the earth?
3. How is being American an advantage when it comes to serving your world?
Small Group Discussion Guide: Week Six
Open your time with prayer. Ask God to lead and guide you and welcome Him into your presence. Pray for each other and care for one another.
LOOK
Luke 10:30-36
“In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”
John 13:13-17, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
LEARN
In Luke 10 Jesus uses a fictional story of a Samaritan man to teach us all what truly loving our neighbor might cost us. In John 13 Jesus demonstrates his own love for His followers by taking on the lowest of jobs and cleaning the feet of His students.
Questions:
1. Why do you think the Priest and the Rabbi walked by the man in need without lending a hand?
2. Do you ever do this? Why?
3. How might foot washing be similar to a habit we have today?
4. How did the Samaritan care for the wounded man? Was it more on the extravagant side or the cheap side?
SHARE
1. Did you participate in the One Thing commitment this year? Did you serve someone else during these past six weeks? Was it intentional?
2. How are these two passages the same?
3. How are these two passages different?
4. How has your church equipped you to serve others?
5. Which area of service is the most difficult for you and why?
posted by pastordan at 8:38 AM
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