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Week 2 Service

Quotes

“Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service, and nothing transforms the desires of the flesh like serving in hiddenness...the flesh whines against service but screams against hidden service. It strains and pulls for honour and recognition. It will devise subtle, religiously acceptable means to call attention to the service rendered. If we stoutly refuse to give in to this lust of the flesh, we crucify it. Every time we crucify the flesh, we crucify our pride and arrogance.”
Richard Foster
 
“The chief means of resisting manipulation is humility – knowing who we really are and facing it. You can only serve by love. You can only love by choice. True love cannot be the result of decree, force or manipulation. Jesus always kept his strength to make loving choices. He calls us to make loving choices necessary to be the servant of all." "Humility permits me to own my feelings – and to admit them. Now I'm free to say, ‘I'm angry’. I'm free to admit what I am reacting to. I am free to ask if anger is what the person wanted to produce in me, and to ask for help in changing if my reaction is inappropriate.”
Gayle D. Erwin,
 
You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.
– John Bunyan

Verses

 
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:1–11 (ESV)
 
 

General Questions

You might want to ask each other some of the following questions:
  • Where have you seen God at work in your life in the past week/month?
  • How did you experience God’s presence through your rhythms?
  • How have you been shaped by the rhythms?
  • What differences did the rhythms make to those around you?
  • What is the Spirit stirring and wanting to grow in you in this season?
  • What unhealthy rhythms or habits have you adopted and what practices will help you refocus on Jesus?

Specific Questions

  • What is one thing you like about the Rhythm of Service and why?
  • What has been an obstacle to Service?
  • Who is the hardest for you to serve and who is the easiest? Why do you think that is?
  • How can Service make us into a loving family?
  • What is one thing you learned about service this week? After listening to the rhythm podcast what was new to you or what changed your view?
  • How do you think practicing Service will help you follow Jesus?

Practice

  • What is a small way this week you can incorporate this rhythm in your life?
  • Is there anyone you need to Service?
  • What way can the group help you practice this rhythm?