What specific qualities make a great leader, in your opinion?
What words come to mind when you hear the word “servant”? What are some common assumptions we make or hear about serving?
What are some reasons leaders are motivated to serve others?
Jesus, Luke 9:23–24 (ESV)
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
What does Jesus require of someone who wishes to be His disciple?
What do Jesus’ words say about our motivation for serving Him? Why should we serve?
What’s the relationship between following Him and serving Him? Is it possible to do one but not the other?
How does denying ourselves and losing our lives for Christ’s sake speak to serving God?
Mark 10:42–45 (ESV)
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
How was “greatness” most commonly demonstrated or pursued in Jesus’ culture?
How is “greatness” defined in our culture today?
What does Jesus say about true greatness?
In what ways are Jesus’ words here counter-cultural both today and in Jesus’ day? What does this say about the condition of the human heart and our natural assumptions about service?
Ephesians 4:11–13 (ESV)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…
To whom did the Lord Jesus Christ give these gifts? What do these gifts have in common?
How are the specific gifts in these verses essential to our mission of making Jesus known and making disciples?According to verse 12, what is the purpose of these specific gifts? Does this make them superior to other gifts? Explain.
Are church leaders responsible for carrying out all the ministries of the church? Why or why not? What is the primary task of the leaders Paul mentions?
Who has been given the task of doing the actual ministry of the church? What are some examples of this “work of ministry” the saints have been given?
According to verse 12, what should be the outcome of our ministry to one another in the church?
How can we demonstrate authentic humility as we serve others this week? What’s one way you can humbly and selflessly serve others?
What are some specific gifts God has given you that you may not be currently using to serve God or to serve others?