SERVING - Serve God by serving others

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.

James 1:27 | Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

Matthew 25:31-46 | But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Then these righteous ones will reply, Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you? And the King will say, I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me! Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you did not feed me. I was thirsty, and you did not give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you did not invite me into your home. I was naked, and you did not give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you did not visit me. Then they will reply, Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you? And he will answer, I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me. And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.

Colossians 3:23-24 | Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Deuteronomy 6:13 | You must fear the LORD your God and serve him. When you take an oath, you must use only his name.

DISCUSSION

1. Read James 1:27. According to this verse, pure religion includes serving people in need. Who in your life, in your family, in your school, and/or in your community is in need?
2. Matthew 25 teaches us that true believers are doers who serve. According to verse 40, when we serve people in need, who are we actually serving?
3. How are you serving people in need? If you are not, why?
4. We are supposed to serve people as we are serving God. When you serve others, do you give the same effort as you would if Jesus was the one you in front of you? Why or why not?
5. We serve others to serve God and bring Him glory (make His name known).  When you serve others, do you ever get distracted in the purpose or reason for your serving? Are you ever motivated by anything other than wanting to bring God glory? If so, what?