Session I Do you love me?

Session I Do you love me? Servant Leadership

Matthew 23.25,26 (NLT) “How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy – full of greed and self-indulgence! Blind Pharisees! First wash the inside of the cup, and then the outside will become clean, too.”

Except I am Moved with Compassion Except I am moved with compassion, How dwelleth thy Spirit in me? In word and in deed Burning love is my need; I know I can find this in thee.

How do we show someone we love them? Some suggestions: • Forgive them • Spend time with them • Talk and listen • Be patient with them • Give encouragement • Give freedom to be and to grow • Trust

When someone asks – “Do you love me?” – what might they be asking for? Some suggestions: • Assurance • Comfort • Commitment • A demonstration of love

Spiritual Disciplines help Christians avoid burnout from: • Secularization of the church; • Fast pace of change; • Moral bankruptcy; • Busy, stressful schedules; • Broken marriages and families; • Increasing sense of isolation and loneliness; • Compulsive and addictive behaviors; • Head knowledge, but not heart-felt living. Which of these most affect your spiritual life?

Spiritual Disciplines • Surrender / Submission – Giving Up • Solitude / Silence – Drawing Near • Service / Sacrifice – Reaching Out

Session II Servant v. Cultural Leaders Servant Leadership

Qualities of a Servant

Contrast: Servant v. Cultural Leaders

An Intimate Moment with Mary and Martha • What character or attitude qualities does Gire associate with Mary and Martha? • How are these attitudes expressed in their outward responses? • What does Jesus value most and why?

Session III Your Unique Servant Profile Servant Leadership

Except I am Moved with Compassion The Saviour of men came to seek and to save The souls who were lost to the good; His Spirit was moved for the world which he loved With the boundless compassion of God. And still there are fields where the laborers are few, And still there are souls without bread, And still eyes that weep where the darkness is deep, And still straying sheep to be led.

Except I am Moved with Compassion Except I am moved with compassion, How dwelleth thy Spirit in me? In word and in deed Burning love is my need; I know I can find this is thee.

Except I am Moved with Compassion O is not the Christ ‘midst the crowd of today Whose questioning cries do not cease? And will he not show to the hearts that would know The things that belong to their peace? But how shall they hear if the preacher forbear Or lack in compassionate zeal? Or how shall hearts move with the Master’s own love, Without his anointing and seal?

Except I am Moved with Compassion It is not with might to establish the right, Nor yet with the wise to give rest; The mind cannot show what the heart longs to know Nor comfort a people distressed. O Saviour of men, touch my spirit again, And grant that thy servant may be Intense every day, as I labor and pray, Both instant and constant for thee.

Galatians 6.4,5 (Good News) “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”

Bruce Bugbee on serving • Passion indicates where you should serve, • Spiritual giftsindicate what you should do, • Personal styleindicates how you can best serve.

Visioning Exercise • Everyone is to take a large sheet of paper and several colored pencils. • At the top write “SERVANT PROFILE” and the date of 5 years from today. • Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to guide this process and help you depict how He wants you to portray His plan for serving Him and His body. • Reflect on your responses to the passion, gifts and style questions.

Session IV Authentic Christian Diakonia Servant Leadership

What motivations differentiate a Christian act of service from a humanitarian?

Matthew 20.20-28 (NIV) “Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him. "What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered.

Matthew 20.20-28 (NIV) Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father." When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.

Matthew 20.20-28 (NIV) Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Conditions for Authentic Christian diakonia • The willingness to suffer with those whom one serves and to give of oneself. • Humility as opposed to superiority about oneself, and respect as opposed to condescension towards those to be served. • Not using diakonia as an occasion for domination, privilege and rank. • Willingness to identify with the served to the point of laying down one’s life for their sake.

Self-righteous v. True Service

Session I Do you love me?