SERVING - Like Jesus served

SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 2:10 | For we are Gods masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Philippians 2:5-11 | You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminals death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Mark 10:42-45 | So Jesus called them together and said, You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

John 13:1-7 | Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus replied, You do not understand now what I am doing, but someday you will. No, Peter protested, you will never ever wash my feet! Jesus replied, Unless I wash you, you will not belong to me. Simon Peter exclaimed, Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet! Jesus replied, A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you. For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, Not all of you are clean. After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, Do you understand what I was doing? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, because that is what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each others feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.


DISCUSSION

1. We are supposed to grow more and more like Jesus. What attitude did Jesus have about serving God and others? How does this compare to your attitude about serving God? About serving others?
2. Jesus tells us the reason He came to Earth was to serve others. How did He serve you while He was here? What did Jesus service cost Him? What does that teach you about serving?
3. Jesus washing the disciples feet is just one example of Him putting others first in service. What other examples do we see in Scripture of Jesus serving?
4. Washing someones feet was considered one of the lowliest jobs. What are some ways to serve that are like that today? Are you willing to step in to serve in lowly, dirty, or unrecognized ways? Why or why not?