Own It | Week 4
Week 4 Own It: Life Group Discussion
Saved People Serve People
Big Idea:
Jesus came to serve, so should we.
Key Verse: Matthew 20:28
... just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
In the last 4 weeks, you have heard," Following Jesus should look and sound like Jesus."
Has this idea positively or negatively impacted how you think about living out your faith?
Read John 10:10
I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.
2. How do you define a full life?
Does your definition bring fulfillment to other's life or just your own?
3. Is or has your spiritual life ever become a burden?
What do you believe caused it to become that way?
Have you ever considered that you may be living out your spiritual life partially and missing some key components?
Read Matthew 20:25
Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.
4. Without naming names, who was the worst boss you ever had?
What were the characteristics of this boss that made them a bad boss?
Read Matthew 20:26-27
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—
5. What is your initial reaction to the words servant and slave?
In the Greek language, in which the original New Testament scripture was written, a servant is defined as one who "executes the commands of another." The word slave is defined as a servant without hope of ever becoming free.
Why do you think Jesus used both of these words to define the path to greatness for His followers?
Read Matthew 20:26-28
Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
6. Following Jesus should look and sound like Jesus.
How did Jesus exemplify being a servant and a slave to the world and us individually?
What would followers of Jesus need to do or change to meet this level of servanthood and become a slave to others?
Read Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
7. Clearly, any good works we do are not done to gain access to heaven but rather a byproduct of the fact that we have already, through Jesus, become a member of God's family.
Also, this would mean we are all doing different exact good works.
Read these portions of 1 Corinthians 12:4-12
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them...There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God …Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."
You heard the pastor say, "Everyone is a 10 at something!" "Everyone has a position to play!" "There are no places of honor in the church, only places of service."
What gifts have you been given to bolster God's work?
How are you serving now, either on the weekend or in the community?
If not, what excuse are you making for yourself not to serve?
Start where you are! Use what you have. Do what you can.
8. During the Last Supper, Jesus was washing the feet of disciples, and here is Peter's reaction.
Read John 13:6-8
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
Why did Peter object to Jesus doing slave work?
Why did Jesus answer the way he did?
Closing Thoughts
Following Jesus should look and sound like Jesus.
If you want the full life Jesus promised, you have to follow Jesus' example and do what he did.
It is impossible to follow Jesus and not think about others first.
How can you serve others and the body of Christ, the church?