FOCUS OF THE MONTH: HAVING A SERVANT’S HEART

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Service is a key element of God’s Kingdom. Jesus Himself came to earth “not to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). But in order to serve, especially in today’s self-seeking society, we must learn what service is and how to have a servant’s heart before God.

For each week one, ask the question over an unhurried meal. Let the children think about it and then offer their own answers. The children should talk more than the parents. Throughout the week, offer the different reasons highlighted and let the children discuss them. (Parents, read through the relevant Bible passages in advance.) Challenge the children to look up other verses addressing the question. Do the same for the following questions each week for the month.

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOUR FAMILY GROW

Week One:

What is service? 

Read: Deuteronomy 10:12, Acts 20:18-35, 1 Corinthians 9:10-22

• Service is, above all, following God’s Will instead of your own: obedience = service.
• Service comes from loving our neighbor — it is the active part of such love, showing that we care about others’ needs more than our own.
• Service is not just the big things; little acts of thoughtfulness such as listening to what people say or doing necessary tasks without grumbling are some of the most important forms of service.
• Having a servants’ heart means that no job is too small to be beneath us: any way we can help is great! That’s what we’re here for, to serve.

Week Two

Why does God ask us to serve Him?

Read: Psalm 100:2-5, Micah 6:8, Philippians 2:1-13

• God’s way is always the best way; serving Him is the only way to live in accordance with the principles that lead to genuine success and happiness, both in this life and the next.
• God is our King and Father, and He loves us — service is the kind of love we can make in return for His Own serving and sacrificial love shown on the Cross.
• Jesus wants us to be like Him, to “be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48); and since His Nature is one of service and giving, having a servant’s heart is the only way to be like Jesus and enjoy His kind of life, with His blessings and righteousness.
• Serving God leads to great rewards — He is a very generous employer!

Week Three:

How does having a servant’s heart relate to greatness in God’s Kingdom?

Read: Luke 22:24-29, Colossians 3:22-4:2

• First of all, when you serve God, He will bless you for it, and there is no earthly greatness that compares to God’s favor.
• Serving others shows that you have a sense of honor and respect for others; people like that can be trusted with great missions.
• True greatness isn’t measured by how well you did something, but by how many people were better off because you were around. Being famous for an endeavor that benefits no one but yourself is nothing compared to the greatness of a completely ordinary person who made every person they met happier by smiling at and talking to them.
• Serving others is the best way to learn how best to perform any task or big project, which is perfect training for becoming a leader; all the best and greatest leaders in the Bible and in history have been servants at heart, thinking of how to help and guide the people they led rather than bossing them about.
• At its core, service means sacrifice: giving up your whole life for God and others rather than yourself, and God promises a crown of glory and eternal life to those who are willing to sacrifice their lives in this world.

Week Four:

How can I serve to the best of my ability?

Read: Isaiah 50:10, John 12:26, Hebrews 12:1-2

•  Read how Jesus served in the Bible, and follow His perfect example.
• Pray diligently that God will bless you with a more giving spirit and a servant’s heart.
• Think about the gifts and talents and abilities you have been given, and try to think of at least one way you can use each of them to benefit others rather than yourself (see Luke 19:12-26!).
• Listen to what others say about what they need, even if they are not asking you directly for your help, and see what you can do to help them out.
• Start with the little things — big opportunities to serve come once we have built up our abilities and earned others’ trust by serving in the little things.