Bible ReadingMark 9:33-35 “And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, ‘What were you discussing on the way?’ But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, ‘If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’”
[41:51]Matthew 20:25-28 “But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 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 your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”
[45:16]John 13:1-17 “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, do you wash my feet?’ Jesus answered him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’ When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 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. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’”
[01:11:20]Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
[57:52]1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”
[58:37]Observation questions- In Mark 9, what had the disciples been arguing about, and how did they respond when Jesus asked them about it? What does Jesus tell them is required of someone who wants to be first? [41:51]
- According to Matthew 20:25-28, how do Gentile rulers use authority, and how does Jesus say His followers must be different? [45:16]
- What specific actions does Jesus take in John 13 before He begins washing the disciples’ feet? Why would this task have felt surprising and uncomfortable to the disciples? [01:12:44]
- In Matthew 5 and 1 Peter 4, what are believers called to do with their good works and God-given gifts? Who is meant to receive the glory? [58:54]
Interpretation questions- Jesus does not condemn the desire to be great; He redefines greatness as becoming the servant of all. How does this change the way believers should think about success, influence, and being noticed? [47:35]
- Jesus washed feet as the lowest servant in the home, even though He was their Lord and Teacher. What does that reveal about the kind of humility Jesus expects from those who follow Him? [01:13:47]
- Jesus washed Judas’s feet while knowing Judas would betray Him. What does this show about serving people who are difficult, irritating, undeserving, or unlikely to return the favor? [01:17:32]
- Matthew 5 says that people should see good works and glorify the Father. How can believers tell the difference between serving to honor God and serving in order to gain credit or recognition? [01:00:50]
Application questions- Where does the question, “What about me?” show up most often in your life right now—at home, at work, in friendships, or at church? What might it look like to take a step toward the back of the line in that situation? [48:39]
- Is there an ordinary or unseen need in your home, workplace, neighborhood, or church family that you have noticed but hoped someone else would handle? What is one simple way you could serve in that place this week?
- David’s route toward Goliath included delivering food to his brothers. What “cheese sandwich” task might God be placing in front of you—a small act of obedience that feels beneath your gifts or bigger hopes? [55:02]
- When you serve and no one notices, thanks you, or gives you credit, what thoughts or feelings rise up in you? How might that reaction reveal an area where pride still needs to die? [01:00:50]
- Jesus calls His people to use their gifts as stewards of God’s grace. What ability, resource, experience, or amount of time has God placed in your hands that could be used to strengthen someone else? [59:02]
- Think of one person whom you find difficult to serve—perhaps because of their attitude, history with you, social status, or lack of appreciation. What would it look like to serve that person without strings attached while still keeping wise boundaries? [01:18:10]
- Jesus is the inspiration for Christian service: He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life for many. What would it sound like for you to pray, “God, whatever it is, pick me and use me,” in a real area of your life? [01:19:25]
