Jesus came “not to be served but to serve” and we also are called
to serve. Sometimes it is difficult to do this. Let us look at the Bible
to help us to be better at serving others in whatever we do every day.
Below there are four single verses of
scripture with questions for each. You may like to print them off and look
over them with a friend. If you want to try to write down answers that’s
great but it will of course take longer to get through it all—by all
means do it over a series of days but you might like to keep the previous
verses in mind as you go along - particularly for the last section.
Part 1
Romans
ch12 v3 NIV “For by the grace given me I say to everyone of you: Do not
thing of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself
with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given
you.”
Romans was written for the church in Rome but it
is believed to have been copied as a letter to be sent to all the churches
and so to all the believers.
Who is the
instruction for? Does that include you?
What sort of
thoughts may be described as thinking of someone more highly than you
ought? Do you ever think about yourself like this?
This scripture
says “Do not” think of yourself like this. Do you understand why
this is?
If we find
ourselves thinking these thoughts we need to stop and think of
ourselves how instead? (Second part of the verse.)
“Sober” in
this sense means rational or free from exaggeration. Why is it
important as Christians to judge ourselves without exaggeration (both
more highly or more lowly)?
Do you think
that the way we see ourselves changes the longer we are Christians?
How does thinking about ourselves without exaggerating affect the
way that we serve in the church and the world?
Part
2
Philippians
ch 2 v3 NIV “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves."
Can you see the difference between selfish
ambition and ambition which is given over to God?
Being a humble person and being miserable and down-trodden are not
the same. Can you thing of someone who you would describe as humble
and another person you would describe as down-trodden?
Does this verse mean that everyone is superior and more talented
than you?
Christian love is what is behind this verse. What kind of people do
you find unlovely and find difficult to think well of?
How does being humble in the presence of
all others affect the way you serve in the church and world?
Part 3
Hebrews
ch3 v13 NIV “But encourage on another daily, as long as it is called
Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sins deceitfulness.”
“Today” in the passage is this day, a day
when God’s grace is available to us. One day the world and time will
come to an end so don’t miss God’s offer now.
As humans we find it easiest to believe the worst (which is
described as “sin’s deceitfulness.” )Why?
What is the link between sin’s deceitfulness and encouragement?
Is there any time when we do not need to encourage others?
Will we need encouragement in heaven?
How can this verse affect the way you serve others in the church and
in the world?
Part 4
James
ch 3 v18 NIV “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of
righteousness.”
What is the difference between a peacemaker
and a peace-lover?
A peace-lover may seek peace by walking away rather than seeking to
resolve the conflict but can a peace-lover also be a peacemaker?
Write out 1 Corinthians ch14 v33.
Does the presence of a peacemaker, without any action, bring peace?
What should our attitude be before we try to be a peacemaker?
Can you think of any times when you have been a walk-away
peace-lover rather than a peacemaker?
If there were more peacemakers in your church would it be a
different kind of place?
Would the church be able to serve the community better if there were
a greater commitment to peacemaking amongst Christians?
If you would like to contact me about this study
then please do so. The e-mail address is in the "How to contact
me" section.