Session Purpose
- To challenge our misconceptions about serving and honoring those who serve
- To model our lifestyles after Jesus’ example of service
Note to Leaders
- The Spiritual Adventure begins next week. Be sure to invite your group back for that six-session study, and invite new people to your group.
To Begin:
- What is the best retirement party or going-away party that you have ever attended? What made that special? In what ways was the person or persons honored? Roasted? How was appreciation communicated?
- What is the most menial or tedious work you have ever had to do? Were you embarrassed to do it? How did you treat people who had to do that work after you were no longer doing it?
For Study and Discussion: Honoring others in our midst
Core Value 7:Support ministries are led by people with serving gifts. These people are regularly honored and affirmed.
Read Matthew 20:20-28
- Why do you think the other ten disciples were indignant with the brothers?
- How did Jesus analyze the authority structure of the world?
- What was Jesus’ challenge?
- What was Jesus’ mission? In what ways is that a model to us?
- How do you think we treat those who serve us in the church? In the retail industry? In the tourism industry?
Read Colossians 3:22-4:1
- What applications can we draw from this passage as we serve each other?
- When we serve another person, whom should we be ultimately serving? How would that attitude help if the person we serve treats us badly?
For Further Discussion:
Core Value 8: Pastoral staff model ministry values of team, affirmation, and excellence through their teaching and relating with the church family
Core Value 9: We honor those God has gifted and called to authority. Those in authority exercise their leadership with humility and grace as servant-leaders.
Read Hebrews 13:17
- What characteristics make a leader difficult for you to follow? Why?
- How do your actions make a leader’s job a burden or a joy? What can you do to help the leaders who serve over you in positions of authority?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13
- Someone might interpret this passage to mean “pastoral staff” but that is not what is written. Whom are we to respect in the church? Would this include both paid and volunteer leaders? Why or why not?
- What does it mean to hold someone “in high regard in love”? What would that look like?
Core Value 10: Stewardship of God’s financial resources is practiced, modeled, and taught with passion and clarity.
Read Proverbs 3:9-10
- Do you think this passage applies to modern-day Americans? Why or why not?
- What does it mean to “honor the Lord” with our resources? What does that look like with our cash? Our material possessions? Our assets and investments? Our talents and abilities? Our energy and stamina?
Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19
- Is it a sin to be wealthy?
- What are those with wealth challenged to do in this passage?
- Why is it hard to be “generous and willing to share”?
The Challenge:
- Serve someone else this week. Read Matthew6:2-6.Try your best to do something that is both unpaid (you don’t receive compensation for it or a favor in return) and unnoticed.
Before Next Time:
- Make final plans for where and when you will meet up for the service project on Saturday, October 4.
- Invite someone to join your Adventure Group for the launch of the Fall Spiritual Adventure
