HELPING YOURSELF BY SERVING OTHERS

Main Thought

Many Christians believe that our appropriate response to God’s love and grace towards us should be to worship Him. That’s true - but worship is more than music. True worship involves our entire lives, which includes the things that we do to serve God. Worship is always eventually accompanied by service. That’s because we’re followers of Christ, who came to serve God and others. The Book of Ephesians declares that we’ve been made new in Christ with good works in mind. This minds that serving isn’t just something we do; if we are in Christ, then it’s who we are. We find purpose and fulfillment when we act in alignment with our new identity in Christ.

Main Passages

34 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 foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

- Matthew 25:34-40

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

- Mark 10:45

For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

- James 2:26

10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for a life of good works that God had prepared for us to do.

- Ephesians 2:10

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. Do you currently serve others as a part of the local church? (Or have you done so in the past?) If so, how has serving others been a blessing to you?

3. Do you feel that you’re currently worshipping God through service in the way He has called you to? If so, great! If not, then what’s one practical step you can take in that direction?

Thankful Every Day

Main Thought

On days like Thanksgiving, and on many other occasions, we’re prompted to be thankful or grateful. Yet there are plenty of days when that’s difficult. Is it really possible to be thankful every day? It is - and it’s because of Jesus. Jesus can be the cornerstone on which we build our lives and place our hope. He’s a firm and trustworthy foundation. Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves of that fact. We can do that through song, in prayer, and in His Word. We can also remind each other of our hope in Jesus. Remembering that Jesus is our rock fills us with gratitude. That gratitude can carry us through difficult days with new perspective. It’s possible to be thankful every day, as long as we have Jesus Christ as our cornerstone.

Main Passages

22 The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

- Psalm 118:22-24

14 The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. 15 Glad songs of salvation are in the tents of the righteous…

- Psalm 118:14-15

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

- Matthew 7:24-25

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and Passages above?

2. What’s one thing you’re thankful for that comes from God?

3. How can you remind yourself of God’s love, faithfulness, and promises when times are tough?

Journey of Generosity

Main Thought

Many things in life are a journey of progression and growth. Generosity is no exception to this idea. As we walk with Jesus, we’re meant to become generous like Him. God’s Word (the Bible) has the power to adjust our perspective. Proper perspective brings contentment when we remember what matters most. Confidence and trust grows within us as we follow the proven principles of God’s Word. Our priorities and convictions grow alongside our trust in God as we walk with Him by faith. If we’ll commit to continuing in this journey, then we’ll eventually grow into a life of generosity on earth that is felt in eternity.

Main Passages

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

- Luke 12:13-21

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

- Matthew 6:19-21

7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

- 2 Corinthians 9:7

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought and/or Main Passages above?

2. Have you ever felt blessed by Christ-centered generosity - either as someone who received, or as someone who gave? What happened?

3. What kinds of blessing and benefits await those who develop generous hearts?

Bonus: in your personal time with God (outside the Life Group meeting), review the categories of givers listed at the end of Pastor Roland’s notes for the “Journey of Generosity” sermon from November 12, 2023. (You can find this in the “Sermons” section of our website.) What kind of giver are you right now? How can you partner with God, and journey onward toward the next step? Pray for God’s grace, joy, and provision as you walk with Him by faith!

(Un)afraid

Main Thought

2 Timothy 1:7 says that God didn’t give us a “spirit of fear.” A spirit of fear is marked by consistent, negative reactions to bad things that might happen. This fear keeps us from moving forward with God. But God offers power, love, and a sound mind as a solution to our fear. We can trust and rely on God’s power before turning to anyone or anything else. Fear bends our hearts inward toward self-preservation, but love turns our hearts outward toward service. Fear creates panic, but God wants to give us a sound mind filled with peace. These three things make us unafraid of sharing in God’s mission. Standing with God will cause us to suffer loss in some way. However, sharing in God’s mission also means that we’ll share in God’s victory. His victory will outlast anything that might cause us to be afraid.

Main Passages

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

- 2 Timothy 1:7

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...

- 2 Timothy 1:8-10

3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.

- 2 Timothy 2:3-10

Discussion Questions

1. What stands out to you in the Main Thought or Main Passages above?

2. What’s one step you’re afraid of taking in your walk with God? How might God’s power, love, and/or a sound mind help you move in that direction?

3. Disciples of Jesus are called to become fishers of men (Matthew 4:19), and God wants to make us unafraid as we do so. Is there anyone you can share God’s love with as the Christmas season approaches? How can you do that?