Serve One Another
Mark 10:42-45 (ESV)
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Study Guide Questions:
Observation
What specific events does Jesus predict will happen to him on the way to Jerusalem, and what is the promised outcome? (Mark 10:33–34)
What two pictures of leadership does Jesus contrast, and how does he define greatness for his followers? (Mark 10:42–45)
What concrete examples of selfishness show up in families and churches? How people “take” instead of “give”?
Interpretation
How does the claim “I am selfish” explain the slow decline or spiritual deadness of a church—what are the mechanisms that turn a community inward and destructive?
What does the redefinition “greatness is downward, not upward” do to common ambitions for power, promotion, or status in home, work, and church life?
Why does sustainable service require seeing Jesus first as the one who served? How does that reframe motivation for serving hard-to-serve people?
“To be prayer-less is to be pride-full.” How does that change the role of prayer in everyday service?
Application
Name a relationship where you most often act as a “taker.” How might you take a step towards becoming a “giver?”
Of the faces you envisioned during the message, describe one concrete, time-bound act of service you will do.
Where is God calling you to invest time and presence in the next generation?
Share one simple prayer habit you will try this Advent.