as illustrated by Jesus death on the cross. scripture Passage: Memory Verses: MARK 1 0 :

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Melvin Johnston
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CHAPTER 13 service The Road t to o Greatness To

to serve others and to recognize that Jesus

through service to others as illustrated by

The world measures the importance and greatness

However, God measures greatness through humble,

Background Passage: scripture Passage: Memory

ARK 1 0 : 45 Service to others is contrary to

Service to others determines greatness in God s

Service to others is perfectly demonstrated in

1 CHAPTER 13 service The Road t to o Greatness To understand that greatness in God s Kingdom is to serve others and to recognize that Jesus perfectly demonstrated servanthood through His life, given as a ransom for many. To be great in God s Kingdom is not measured by high position, power, or being served. To be great in God s Kingdom is measured through service to others as illustrated by Jesus death on the cross. The world measures the importance and greatness of a person by his power and position. However, God measures greatness through humble, sacrificial acts of service to others. Background Passage: scripture Passage: Memory Verses: MARK 1 0 : M AR K 1 0 : M ARK 1 0 : 45 Service to others is contrary to the world s definition of greatness (v. 42). Service to others determines greatness in God s Kingdom (v. 43). Service to others is perfectly demonstrated in Jesus death on the cross (v. 45). page 1 00 SERVICE For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

PREPARING TO TEACH Although Christ is Lord of all, He demonstrated service throughout His earthly ministry by washing the disciples feet (John 13) and performing various miracles.

2 PREPARING TO TEACH Although Christ is Lord of all, He demonstrated service throughout His earthly ministry by washing the disciples feet (John 13) and performing various miracles. Jesus Christ had ultimate authority and privilege as Lord and could have demanded service for Himself. However, He came to serve. He demonstrated the ultimate act of service by giving His life as a ransom for many. Therefore, our love and service to God is expressed through our love and service to others. The proper posture of a Christ-follower in this world is that of a servant. As you prepare to guide this study, think about the Christians who have served you through various means and in various times: perhaps your spouse or parents, a Sunday School teacher, a coworker, a valued friend, or a complete stranger. Consider the priceless gift of service that took place on the cross at Calvary. Spend time offering thanks to God for the Servant Jesus and others who have selflessly served you. Study the words of Mark 10:42-45, John 13:12-15, and Hebrews 13:20-21 by reading these passages from various translations and using the Teacher Helps suggestions. Contact the church office and find out the organized service opportunities that are available through your church. These may include Habitat for Humanity, Room in the Inn, Christian Women s Job Corps (or another job placement organization in your area), mentoring or tutoring programs, and so forth. Be prepared to share this information during the study time. Ask God for wisdom as you guide this final session from the Venture In Travelogue. Pray for each person in your group and for the impact of developing and/or implementing these spiritual practices. Bring a basin, pitcher, and towel but keep them hidden away until called for in the teaching plan. Contact your Sunday School director or minister of education to ask for information about the next series of lessons on spiritual practices titled Venture Up. Be prepared to share the information at the close of this lesson. page SERVICE

3 Create a matching game on the board (or develop a master and duplicate it) using these fictional servants and the movie or television show in which they appeared. Do NOT include the answers on the worksheet. Alice Nelson Hoke Colburn Euphegenia Doubtfire Rosie Geoffrey Minny Jackson Charles Hazel Burke Mr. French Hazel Family Affair The Help Charles in Charge The Brady Bunch The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Driving Miss Daisy The Jetsons Mrs. Doubtfire (Answers: Alice Nelson/The Brady Bunch; Hoke Colburn/Driving Miss Daisy; Euphegenia Doubtfire/Mrs. Doubtfire; Rosie/The Jetsons; Geoffrey/The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air; Minny Jackson/The Help; Charles/Charles in Charge; Hazel Burke/Hazel; Mr. French/ Family Affair) TEACHING SUGGESTIONS THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED Welcome learners as they arrive. As opportunity presents itself, assist them with finding a seat, getting coffee, or settling in for the session. Introduce the session by playing the match game. Have fun reminiscing about these characters. Allow learners to identify each character and the movie or television series in which they portrayed a servant. Ask: Which of these characters do you remember most? Why? What adjective would you use to describe Alice or Hoke or even Mrs. Doubtfire? What quality made their character endearing or memorable? Why do we sometimes view servanthood in a negative light? Challenge learners to think beyond these examples of servants page SERVICE

4 as we explore the spiritual discipline of service. Open the study time in prayer. Teaching Option As an alternate way to introduce this study, bring a copy of Robert Frost s poem, The Road Not Taken (available in print or by searching the Internet). Read the poem and use the introductory thoughts on page 131 of the Travelogue to spark a discussion regarding the choice to be a servant. Ask this question from the Travelogue (p. 131): Which road would you most likely choose? Why? Call attention to this statement from the Travelogue (p. 132): The road leading to the service entrance is definitely the road less traveled in our world; however, it is the road that leads to Christlikeness. THE ROAD TO GREATNESS Call for a volunteer to read aloud Why Study This Lesson? (Travelogue, p. 131): To be great in God s Kingdom is not measured by high position, power, or being served. To be great in God s Kingdom is measured through service to others as illustrated by Jesus death on the cross. Briefly remind adults of the dispute among the disciples about who would be privileged to sit on the right and left of Jesus when He came into His kingdom (Mark 10:35-41). Challenge learners to listen closely to Jesus words in Mark 10: Read the passage aloud and with emphasis. Guide a discussion of the passage using some of these questions (some are from the Travelogue, pp ): What paradox did Jesus use to define greatness in these verses? According to Scripture, true greatness is defined by humble and sacrificial acts of service. How does that definition run counter to our society? What challenges does this difference present? Which statement in Jesus redefinition of greatness is hard for you to swallow? Why? Based on these teachings, is it wrong for Christians to achieve greatness or positions of leadership? Explain. How can you model Jesus servant-greatness in the positions of authority you hold in life? page SERVICE

5 How can you model His example to your spouse? Your children? Your coworkers? Your boss? A total stranger? The writer of the Travelogue stated: Being great is not our goal. Being like Jesus is the goal. Do you agree or disagree? Explain. Read aloud the memory verse for this lesson (Mark 10:45) and then challenge learners to commit the verse to memory. Teacher Helps Visit and do a thorough study of Mark 10: THE POSTURE OF GREATNESS Begin the transition to this part of the study by bringing out the basin, pitcher, and towel. Begin preparations as if you are planning to wash the feet of the learners. Call for their reactions to the thought of allowing you to perform this act of service. Briefly explain the custom of foot washing. Ask: Why would it be difficult for you to allow another person to wash your feet? Would the idea of Jesus washing your feet be even more difficult? Why or why not? Challenge learners to keep their responses in mind as you read aloud John 13: Ask: According to these verses, what is the correct posture for greatness? Does this imply that the physical act of washing someone s feet is our greatest act of service? Explain. Call attention to the final paragraph of The Posture of Greatness (Travelogue, p. 135). Enlist a volunteer to read the paragraph aloud. Ask learners to consider silently: What s the most obscure, unpleasant task you think of when you hear this list? What s the most humbling task someone has done for you personally? Allow time for them to respond to the contemporary equivalents exercise in their Travelogue, (pp ). page SERVICE

6 Teacher Helps To uncover more insights into John 13:12-15, go to Bible.com and enter the Scripture reference. View the video review of John 13 entitled A Servant s Heart by Dr. Gene Getz (Video Player Tool). Dr. Getz offers good insights into this beautiful example of Christ as Servant. THE ATTITUDE OF SERVICE Read aloud John 13:4. To guide the discussion of attitudes about service, ask: What might you need to lay aside in order to follow Jesus example of service? What might you need to put on in order to follow His example? For you, which is more difficult the laying aside or the putting on? Why? What s the difference between enjoying and enduring the privilege to serve others? What steps would you need to take to increase your level of enjoyment in service? A LIFESTYLE OF SERVICE Call attention to the two questions on page 138 of the Travelogue: What are your passions? How can you put those passions to work serving others? Guide a discussion about the connection between spiritual gifts and serving others. Emphasize that all believers are called to serve the specifics will be different for each person and will likely change but the call to serve is for a lifetime. Share ongoing, organized opportunities for service in which your church is already involved. Record these on the board. Invite learners to add to the list. Challenge learners to add other options to list that may be one-time needs or other less-obvious needs around them (meals for a sick friend, mowing the lawn for an elderly neighbor, driving carpool for an overwhelmed mom, baking cookies for the youth mission team, washing dishes after a church fellowship meal, helping a struggling family set up a budget, sending birth- page SERVICE

7 day cards to the homebound, volunteering in extended care with preschoolers, and so forth). Ask: Is the spiritual practice of service a burden or a liberty for you? Explain. Teaching Option If your church has a specific person or process for discovering your spiritual gifts (i.e. PLACE), invite the staff person who is responsible for this ministry to speak briefly with the group, answering questions and informing them of the next available study of spiritual gifts. CONCLUSION Read Ephesians 6:7 from The Message paraphrase. Ask: How does this verse encourage you? Challenge learners by sharing the lyrics to The Servant Song (Hymn 384, Baptist Hymnal, 2008) or showing the video: JOURNEY ON! Remind learners that this study concludes our first 13-week adventure exploring spiritual practices needed as we seek to become more like Christ. Emphasize that this is not a destination, but a journey. Invite volunteers to share examples of what God has taught them and how God has used these studies to grow them into His likeness. Share information about the next study of other spiritual practices titled Venture Up. Call for a volunteer to read aloud Hebrews 13: PRAY Close the study time in prayer, calling members by name, and thanking God for their participation and their commitment to grow in Christlikeness. page SERVICE

8 FOLLOW THROUGH Follow up today s study by texting or ing the information regarding the Venture Up study (times, locations, and so forth). Ask God to reveal to you any group members who may need encouragement or who may still be struggling with one or more of the spiritual practices that we ve studied. Follow through and set up a time and place to meet personally with them as needed. page SERVICE

9 WHAT IS THE GOSPEL? The Bible calls it the good news, the message about Jesus Christ, the kingdom of God and salvation. The gospel message is a summary of God s work through Jesus, at His initiative, and our response to that work, which leads to salvation. To help us understand what God has accomplished through Jesus to save us, the gospel message always includes four key elements: God: God rules. The Bible tells us God created everything, including you and me, and He is in charge of everything. Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17 Man: Man sinned. We all choose to disobey God. The Bible calls this sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. Romans 3:23; 6:23 Christ: God gave Jesus. God sent Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9 Response: We respond in repentance and faith. Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. John 14:6; Romans 10:9-13 WHAT ARE MY NEXT STEPS? When you respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ, everything changes. Your next steps of faith include: Professing your Faith When something this life-changing happens, your first response is to tell others. You declare your faith in Jesus by telling the story of your salvation with others. Most people begin by sharing their decision to follow Jesus with their closest family and friends and with a pastor or minister. Baptism Baptism is a powerful outward symbol of the inner change that has happened. It is a lived out picture of the death of your sin and your new life with Christ. Join the Church, a Body of Believers following Jesus Together Jesus designed the church for every one of His followers to have a place to grow in what they believe, a place to belong to a community of faith and a place to become more like Him. page 1 0 8

scripture Passage: Memory Verses: PSAL M 9 5

scripture Passage: Memory Verses: PSAL M 9 5 CHAPTER 6 worship called ed into int to his presence presen nce To understand biblical worship and consider ways to rightfully engage in both corporate worship and worship as a lifestyle. Worship is directed