Inward Prayer

Small Group Questions:

1. 1. Before today, how important was serving to you?
   2. Why do you think serving with humility and without reward is hard for us sometimes?
   3. Do you think we are always supposed to feel joy while serving? Why or why not?
   4. What are some of the benefits of preparing yourself before serving? (For yourself and others)

Outward Prayer

THE MAIN POINT

In order to give our work fully to the Lord we have to have our hearts postured and prepared to serve.

THE BIBLE

1 Corinthians 15:58, Luke 10:38-42

THE CONTEXT

In order to give our work fully to the Lord our hearts need to be postured and prepared to serve. Preparing yourself to serve is similar to packing your lunch. Making your lunch ahead of time will make your lunch break more comfortable and successful. If you don’t have a packed lunch, you will be hungry, you might have to spend money unnecessarily, or you may have to ask your friends to give up some of their food for you. In the same way, spiritual preparation sets us up to serve more successfully. If you have been praying regularly, spending time with the Lord, reading your bible, and taking a sabbath you will be full and ready in your heart to serve the Lord. If you jump into serving without preparation, it might be exhausting, you may negatively impact those serving around you, or you may be blind to the impact your serving has since you could be focused inward.

The story of Mary and Martha is a great example of the importance of spending time with the Lord and then doing his work. The story about two sisters Mary and Martha, found in Luke 10:38-42, provides an example of how the posture of a person’s heart reflects in service. Martha is busy serving and preparing for Jesus’ visit, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to him. Martha becomes frustrated with Mary and asks Jesus to tell her to help with the preparations. Jesus responds by telling her that Mary has chosen the better thing, to listen to him and that it will not be taken away from her. This story highlights the importance of our heart posture towards service and taking time to spend with Jesus.

THE CORE

As you prepare the core of the message using personal story and questions keep in mind these points:

• Our heart posture towards service is a reflection of our heart towards Jesus
• Service should come from a place of humility not a place of reward.
• In order for us to give ourselves fully towards the work of the Lord we must spend time with him. (Prayer, Sabbath, Listening Prayer, Reflection.)

THE APPLICATION

As you prepare the application, challenge and/or encouragement, keep in mind these points:

• Invite the students to pray before serving or asking where to serve. Ask God to prepare their hearts with humility.
• Encourage the students to take a sabbath in order to not over-commit themselves, or be overly busy. Take the Sabbath to spend time with the Lord before working for him.
• Remind them that their identity is not formed by their works or service, but is formed by their identity as a child of God, apart from any good works.