Trail Life Troop
NC-613
Devotional – Serve
Opening
- Today we learned what service is and its benefits to the giver and receiver of service.
- Read, or someone read the Teaching verse. FYI: The memory verse is further down
Philippians 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [a]robbery to be equal with God, 7 but [b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Devotional
Big picture Jesus made Himself a servant and died on the cross for others.
- Q: When was the last time you served someone? (e.g. helped around the house). Did it feel good?
- Did you know, God expects us, and the Bible commands us to serve?
- Serving is not easy, but most things in life that are worthwhile require effort; so does serving.
- One of the absolute, unchanging characteristics of God is that we are to serve as Christ served.
- The Bible says don’t just talk about your faith, more so show your faith by your good deeds of service.
- Q: Why is it so hard to serve? (Our sin nature trips us up.)
- False thinking--We want our way. Truth—God’s way is a better way.
- False thinking--We are selfish. Truth—We can overcome selfishness.
- False thinking--It’s humbling. Truth—Jesus humbled himself, I can too.
- False thinking—I will serve another time. Truth—Seek God’s timing, not yours.
- False thinking—Someone else will do it. Truth—Is God asking YOU to serve?
- False thinking—Why should I serve? Truth—God commanded you to serve!
- Last week we talked a lot about faith, but the Bible says faith without service is useless! Dead faith.
- Q: Do you have a dead faith? Without serving others, it is! Is that what you want? No!
- Q: Do you know that if no one served, our world as we know it would stop functioning?!
- Q: Is your trail life leader giving his time to serve you? Yes! You wouldn’t have TL without it.
- Q: Is your church serving you? Yes! You wouldn’t have church without church servants.
- Q: Do your parents serve you? Yes! Your family would not exist without parents taking care of you.
- We don’t have to serve every time someone asks (except for parents you must every time!). Ask God when and where to serve. He will tell you or show you. Then, do it! Don’t quibble about it.
- The best place to start serving is right in front of us (family, friends, neighbors, community).
Memory Verse #3
Ask if anybody knows it yet and can say it? Read it together 2X Consider having a memory verse pamphlet for kids take home.
Note: we are moving to verse #3.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Topical Questions
-
Do any of you have chores around the house?
That is a form of serving, doing your job. -
What are some other ways of serving?
picking up trash, helping at church or charitable organization -
Does anyone know the best kind of service?
It’s telling others who don’t know Jesus about Him. -
Why is our faith useless if we never choose to serve?
Sounds harsh, but it is the TRUTH!
Closing Prayer
Jesus, thank you for serving all mankind by dying on the cross to save us all from our sins. There is no greater act of service than laying down your life for someone. You died for us. We can at least serve others to glorify You just a little bit. Open our eyes to who we can serve, daily. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen!
