Serve Like Jesus: Going Deeper Questions & Frameworks for Service

Introduction

Jesus is the King who made Himself a servant. He left His throne in heaven and entered our world as a baby, born in a humble stable. Throughout His life, Jesus modeled a new way of living, where greatness is found in service and humility. He challenged the religious leaders of His day, who sought power and status, and instead called His disciples to follow Him on the path of selflessness and sacrifice.

We encourage all GoodLion School of discipleship students to dive deep into the opportunity to learn from Jesus's example and follow in His footsteps. Serving others is not just a good deed or a nice thing to do, but a fundamental aspect of the Christian life. As you reflect on the following questions and pray through them, may God give you the wisdom and strength to serve like Jesus.

The Story of Jesus Washing Feet

When Jesus and His disciples gathered for the Passover meal, Jesus got up from the table, wrapped a towel around His waist, and began washing the disciples' feet. This was a menial task reserved for the lowest of servants. Jesus was teaching His disciples a profound lesson about the nature of leadership and service.

Questions:

1. How did Jesus's act of washing His disciples' feet challenge their understanding of leadership?

2. Why did Jesus wash Judas's feet, even though He knew that Judas would soon betray Him?

3. What can we learn from Jesus's example about how to serve those who don't deserve it?

The Goal of the Christian Life

The goal of the Christian life is to become like Christ, to be conformed to His image. This transformation happens through the inner working of the Holy Spirit, as we abide in Christ and allow His life to flow through us.

Questions:

1. What does it mean to be conformed to the image of Christ?

2. Why is it important to strive for this goal?

3. What are some practical steps you can take to grow in Christlikeness?

Philippians 2:5-9

In Philippians 2:5-9, Paul encourages the believers to have the same mindset as Christ, who humbled Himself and became a servant for our sake.

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name.

Questions:

1. What does it mean for Christ to be in the form of God?

2. How did Jesus make Himself of no reputation?

3. Why is it significant that Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to death?

Quotes on Serving

John Wesley believed that serving others is a path to serving God.

"One of the principal rules of religion is to lose no occasion of serving God. And, since He is invisible to our eyes, we are to serve Him in our neighbor, which He receives as if done to Himself in person, standing visibly before us."

Dallas Willard emphasized the importance of serving the Lord only.

"Whatever our position in life, if our lives and works are to be of the Kingdom of God, we must not have human approval as a primary or even major aim. We must lovingly allow people to think whatever they will. We may, if it seems right, occasionally try to help them understand us and appreciate what we are doing. That could be an act of love. But in any case we can only serve them by serving the Lord only."

Henry Drummond urged us to make the most of every opportunity to serve.

"I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

Questions:

1. How do these quotes inspire you to serve others?

2. What do you think are the key messages in each of these quotes?

   Serving Like Jesus

   Serving like Jesus is not easy. It goes against our natural inclination to put ourselves first and seek our own interests. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His example of humility and service. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, it is impossible to serve like Jesus.

   Questions:

   1. Why is serving like Jesus hard?
      What are some of the challenges and difficulties you face in serving others as Jesus did?

   2. What motivates you to serve like Jesus?
      Why is it important to follow Jesus's example of selflessness and sacrifice?

   3. What role does the Holy Spirit play in serving like Jesus?
      How does the Holy Spirit help us to overcome our selfishness and love others as Jesus did?

   4. How can you rely on God's strength to serve like Jesus?
      What are some practical ways you can draw on God's power and strength to serve others as Jesus did?

   5. What are the rewards of serving like Jesus?
      How does serving others bring joy and fulfillment to our lives and honor God?

   Remember, serving like Jesus is not something we can do on our own. It requires the help of the Holy Spirit and a willingness to lay down our own interests and desires for the sake of others.

   Conclusion

   As you reflect on these questions and pray for God's help to serve like Jesus, remember that the goal of the Christian life is not to become a great leader or a successful person, but to become like Christ, who made Himself a servant for our sake. May God bless you as you seek to follow in His footsteps.

---

Framework:
WAYS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CAN SERVE

At Home

Here are some ways to serve like Jesus at home:

1. Creating a peaceful and loving home environment: Practicing forgiveness, kindness, and patience with family members and guests is a way to show Christ's love in the home.

2. Practicing hospitality: Welcoming others into one's home and sharing meals is a great way to create fellowship and build relationships.

3. Raising children in the faith: Teaching children about God and modeling Christ's love to them is one of the most important ways to serve God at home.

At Work

Here are some ways to serve like Jesus at work:

1. Work with excellence: Giving one's best effort and using one's talents to the best of one's ability is a way to honor God and bring glory to His name.

2. Show Christ's love to co-workers: Practicing forgiveness, kindness, and patience with co-workers, even when it's hard, is a way to reflect Christ's love in the workplace.

3. Share the gospel: Sharing one's faith with co-workers and being a witness to the power of Christ's love is a way to bring others to salvation.

In Culture

Here are some ways to serve like Jesus in culture:

1. Speak truth: Standing up for what is right and true, even when it is unpopular, is a way to honor God and bring glory to His name.

2. Be a light in darkness: Showing Christ's love, mercy, and kindness to those who are lost and hurting is a way to be a witness to the power of God's love in a broken world.

3. Engage with culture: Understanding the culture around us and using it to connect with others and share the Gospel is a way to bring others to salvation.

In Your City

Here are some ways to serve like Jesus in your city:

1. Volunteer at a local charity: Serving at a local charity such as a food bank, homeless shelter, or community center is a way to meet the needs of the less fortunate and show Christ's love to the community.

2. Engage in street evangelism: Going out into the streets and sharing the gospel with those who may not have heard it before is a way to be a witness for Christ and bring others to salvation.

3. Serve those in need: Serving those in need such as the homeless, the hungry, or those struggling with addiction is a way to show Christ's love and be a witness to the power of God's transformative love.

In The Local Church

Here are some ways to serve like Jesus in your local church:

1. Attend regularly: Attending church regularly is a way to worship God and connect with other believers.

2. Serve in a ministry: Serving in a ministry such as hospitality, children's ministry, cleaning, administration, worship, etc is a way to use one's gifts to serve God and others.

3. Pray for your leaders and encourage them: Supporting and encouraging the pastors and leaders in your church is a way to serve and honor God.

4. Support the church financially: Giving financially to the church is a way to support the work of God and further His kingdom on earth.