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 us.
- 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.
- No one is too young or too small to serve others. Serving is important.
- One of the absolute, unchanging characteristics of God is that we are to treat each person with HUMAN DIGNITY.
- Treating people with dignity means treating them with love and respect, like how we want to be treated.
- And, we must see each of us is made in the image of God.
- Q: What does the Bible mean when it says ALL people are made in the image of God? (it means God made us and so we are important to Him)
- Q: So, what does treating people with Dignity and serving people have in common?
- Treating people with dignity shows you care about them.
- If you don’t see everyone as important to God, you probably won’t think serving is important.
- Caring enough to serve starts with seeing each person is made in the image of God.
- All these good works start from inside us, from what’s inside our heart and show up in our actions.
- God puts good things in our heart out of our close relationship with Him.
- Then good things come out of us (our actions) when we are filled-up with good things from God.
- We love others because God loved us first and are filled with His love. We cannot help but do good!
- Last week we talked a lot about faith, but the Bible says faith without service is useless!
- Let’s show others, and show God, our faith is not useless, by our acts of service.
- 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.
Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”
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 your friends and family -
Does anyone know the best kind of service?
It’s telling others who don’t know Jesus about Him. -
Why is our faith dead if we never choose to serve other people?
Sounds harsh, but it is the TRUTH!
Closing Prayer
Father God, You made each and every person who ever lived and the world and everything in it. You are so big and wonderful, how is it that You love each of us so much?! Amazing love, how can it be! Open our eyes, daily, to who we can serve, to show Your love to others who are all made in Your image. In Jesus Christ’s name we pray, Amen!
