the Fundamentals: Servanthood (John 13:1-16) Questions for Reflection and Discussion

In week one of the fundamentals: Servanthood, How to be Great, we summed up the Jesus’ teaching in Mark 10:43, “greatness requires meekness.” One thing we all have in common is a bent toward selfishness. None of us can do a selfless act of service to another and then truthfully declare, “Oh, that comes naturally to me.” In John 13:1-16, Jesus, at what has become known as “the Last Supper” gives His disciples a tangible example of Servanthood, demonstrating His love for them and providing an example to be followed. 

Dig Deeper

Read John 13:1-16. What conclusions to you make about the “mindset of a servant” from Jesus’ example and teaching?

In John 13:16 Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”  The word “messenger” is from the Greek word, “apostolos” used in the general sense of all Christ-followers. What additional insights are gained about the role of the messenger from the following Scriptures?

Matthew 10:24--

John 15:20--

2 Corinthians 8:23--

Philippians 2:25--

Application

As a youth pastor I continually challenged students to be spiritually “FAT”: Faithful, Available and Teachable. These qualities are necessary for anyone desiring to grow in servanthood, not just teenagers. Spend some time reviewing the following Scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in the areas in which He desires you to grow.

Faithful-- Servants never exempt themselves from the mundane or the menial. Nothing is beneath a servant. Read Colossians 3:23--

Available-- Servants make themselves available to serve. This means allowing for margin in their lives for service. Read 2 Timothy 2:4--

Teachable-- Servants simply are always on the lookout for ways to help others. Read Galatians 6:10--

Memorize This

Mark 10:43—But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. © ESV