chapter 9: service

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CHAPTER 9: SERVICE PERSONAL STUDY

READING • Read Celebration of Discipline, Chapter 9. • As you read, take notes about what jumps out to you or anything that you have questions about.

THINK ABOUT IT After you have read the chapter, give yourself some time to digest the rich material. Then, revisit the reading, and do your best to answer the following questions: 1. Often times acts of service come from a self-righteous hear verses a servants heart. How can you know if your acts of service are coming from the correct motive?

2. Make a list of the kinds of “hidden” service that you have the opportunity to do. When you think of doing these things with zero acknowledgement how does that make you feel?

3. Make a list of the most memorable ways you have been served. Make a list of your most memorable service given to others.

4. The discipline of Service is not simply doing acts of service as much as a having a servants heart. How can doing acts of service help foster that heart in you? What most hinders you from having a servants heart (being the servant of all)?

SCRIPTURE READING Note: You might want to read a couple of different translations of this passage.

• Philippians 2:3-8 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man,he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! • John 13:1-20 • What do we learn about service from the Philippians 2:3-8 passage?

• When Jesus says he has given us an example to follow what do you think he means?

• How can the image of Jesus washing his disciples feet compel you toward service? Can you think of another instance in Jesus life when he was the servant of all?

True service comes from a relationship with the God living deep inside. We serve out of whispered promptings and divine urgings. Energy is expended but it is not the frantic energy of the flesh Celebration of Discipline, pg 128

DOING THE WORK This week look for opportunities to put the discipline of service into practice in your ordinary routine. Ask God to either renew or establish your joy in service. • Read the 9 acts of service in the chapter and pick 3 to implement in your life.

INTEGRATING THE DISCIPLINES • Service and Submission go well together. Humility is the result of service. Putting others first and yourself last is the most important aspect of the discipline of Service.