Setting the Theme
The theme tonight is service. Share a time when someone helped you and didn’t expect anything in return. How did you feel about their help?
Approaching God’s Word
Pray that God would open our hearts and lives to His Word.
47 While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
51 But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? 53 Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”
Engaging the Message
Either in Wednesday evening worship or by YouTube, engage the message for the week.
The space below is intended for your personal notes and reflections.
• Think about the pecking order of authority: chief priests, elders, officials of the Temple Guard, servants. In your world, what is the food chain authority?
• How does Judas fit into all of this?
• How is your servant heart these days?
Digging Deeper
Discuss one or more of the following with a friend or family member:
Read Mark 10:35-45. James and John make a request of Jesus and in doing so misunderstand Jesus’ mission and authority. What did they miss and why is it important for our everyday discipleship? (hint: look at verses 43-45)
From these verses, what is Jesus’ definition of authority? How does it contrast with the world’s definition? Name some modern examples of authority defined by the world and some that reflect the way of Jesus.
The servants (possibly slaves) did what they were told to do. They were to obey. How is our faith walk to be different? Is it different?
In the message, the pastor notes that serving isn’t natural. Do you agree? Disagree?
Talk about one or more of the following with people who can point you back to Jesus and His love for you.
What one thing could you do in the next week to serve someone else in your life? What support do you need to begin?
What promise from Jesus do you need to act on what He is asking you to do?
Who could you invite to follow Jesus and serve others with you this week?
Daily / Word
Prayer for the Week
Dear Jesus, You took on the role of a servant humbling yourself for our sake. And I don’t get it. I don’t understand what it means to really serve rather than be served. I always expect to be served but you chose to serve. God create in me a servant heart that is willing to love without expectation of return. I want that kind of heart to be my heart. Make me a new creation that is willing to serve. I ask this in your name. Amen
