We have now arrived at Session 13 of our series on Church Goals. In our last session, we explored the importance of generosity as an expression of love. Today, we’ll turn our focus to the theme of service. Service is a vital aspect of Christian life, reflecting Christ’s example of humility and love. When we serve one another, we not only meet practical needs but also build up the body of Christ and demonstrate God’s love to the world.
Session Objective: The goal of this session is to encourage a culture of service within the church, where every member actively seeks opportunities to serve others in love. We will explore the biblical foundation of service, discuss the importance of humility, and consider practical ways to foster a servant-hearted church community.
Scripture Reading: Mark 10:43-45 (BSB) “But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
Key Themes:
- The Biblical Foundation of Service:
- Jesus as the Ultimate Example of Service: Discuss how Jesus exemplified the heart of a servant, humbling Himself to serve others, even to the point of death on a cross. Reflect on how His life calls us to serve others in love.
- The Call to Serve One Another: Explore the New Testament’s emphasis on mutual service within the body of Christ, highlighting passages like Galatians 5:13, which encourages believers to “serve one another in love.”
- Humility in Service: Reflect on the importance of humility in serving others, recognizing that true service comes from a heart that puts others before oneself, just as Jesus did.
- Encouraging a Culture of Service:
- Teaching on Service: Discuss the need for regular teaching on the importance of service, helping the congregation understand that service is a natural outflow of our love for God and others.
- Creating Opportunities for Service: Explore practical ways to provide opportunities for service within the church, whether through organized ministries, volunteer teams, or spontaneous acts of kindness.
- Recognizing and Encouraging Servants: Reflect on the importance of recognizing those who serve faithfully in the church, encouraging them and celebrating their contributions as a vital part of the church’s mission.
- Serving with the Right Heart:
- Motivations for Service: Discuss the importance of serving with the right motivations, not for recognition or personal gain, but out of love for God and a desire to bless others.
- Serving in the Strength of God: Explore how serving in our own strength can lead to burnout, and emphasize the need to rely on God’s strength, seeking His guidance and grace in all that we do.
- Balancing Service and Rest: Reflect on the importance of balancing service with rest, recognizing that we serve best when we are spiritually and physically healthy.
- Service Beyond the Church Walls:
- Community Outreach: Discuss the importance of serving not only within the church but also in the broader community, looking for ways to meet the needs of those around us and share the love of Christ through practical acts of service.
- Global Missions: Reflect on the call to serve beyond our local context, considering how the church can be involved in global missions and support those who serve in other parts of the world.
- Everyday Acts of Service: Explore how service can be integrated into everyday life, encouraging members to look for small, everyday ways to serve others, whether at work, in their neighborhoods, or in their families.
- Overcoming Challenges to Service:
- Self-Centeredness: Address the challenge of self-centeredness, which can hinder our willingness to serve, and discuss how cultivating a heart of compassion and empathy can help us overcome this obstacle.
- Busyness: Reflect on the challenge of busyness, which often prevents people from serving. Discuss practical ways to prioritize service in the midst of a busy life.
- Fear of Inadequacy: Explore how fear of inadequacy can hold people back from serving, and emphasize that God equips and empowers those He calls to serve.
Discussion Questions:
- Understanding Service:
- How does Jesus’ example of service challenge your own understanding of what it means to serve others?
- In what ways can we encourage a culture of service within our church?
- Overcoming Obstacles:
- What are some common obstacles that prevent people from serving, and how can we help overcome these obstacles?
- How can we address the fear of inadequacy that often holds people back from serving?
- Practical Steps:
- What practical steps can we take to create more opportunities for service in our church?
- How can we recognize and encourage those who serve faithfully in our church?
- Serving Beyond the Church Walls:
- In what ways can our church serve the broader community, and how can we encourage members to get involved in community outreach?
- How can we integrate service into our everyday lives, making it a natural part of our Christian walk?
- Evaluating the Impact:
- How can we evaluate the impact of our efforts to cultivate a culture of service within the church?
- What are some signs that our church is growing in its commitment to service, and how can we celebrate and encourage this growth?
Application:
- Personal Reflection on Service:
- Take time this week to reflect on your own attitude toward service. Consider whether there are areas where you could be more involved in serving others, both within the church and in your community.
- Look for Opportunities to Serve:
- Actively seek out opportunities to serve others this week, whether through volunteering for a church ministry, helping a neighbor, or simply performing a small act of kindness.
- Encourage Others to Serve:
- If you are a church leader, consider ways to encourage others to serve. This could involve recognizing and celebrating those who are already serving, or creating new opportunities for service.
- Pray for a Servant’s Heart:
- Spend time in prayer, asking God to cultivate a servant’s heart within you and within our church. Pray for the humility to put others first and the strength to serve faithfully.
Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. Help us to follow His example, serving one another in love and humility. May our church be a place where service is valued and practiced, and may we reflect Your love through our acts of service to others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Next Session: In our next session, we will focus on the importance of building a community of encouragement within the church, considering how love can inspire us to lift one another up and strengthen our faith through words and actions.
This session emphasizes the importance of service as a reflection of Christ’s love, providing practical ways to foster a servant-hearted community within the church and encouraging participants to serve with humility and joy.ways to foster a culture of giving within the church and encouraging participants to trust in God’s provision.s.
Moe Bergeron 
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