Episode 078 – Serving Those Who Serve You
Key Passage(s): Acts 20:35; Matthew 20:28
Most people have heard the axiom, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” According to the apostle Paul (in Acts 20), it was Jesus who coined this. He knew this truth more than anyone else, because his entire life was devoted to loving and serving people well. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to do the same. But how can we grow in our ability to do so? I recently had a monumental conversation that gave me a new angle on how to serve people well, and I can’t wait to share it with you. As you implement this strategy into your life, I believe you will experience anew the reality that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
Discussion Questions
- What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
- It’s always fun receiving something (a gift, a compliment, etc.), but do you really believe it is more blessed to give than receive? Why or why not?
- As mentioned in the teaching, we do not give in order to receive, but where have you received the most by giving? Why do you think that is?
- When you’re paying for something, you expect certain results (and you should). But where can your sense of entitlement get in the way of appreciating someone’s service to you?
- Is there anyone who serves you that you take for granted? Has this teaching changed how you will interact with such people in the future?
- What are some tangible ways that you can serve those who are serving you?
- How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?
For Further Study
- The Gathering – this is the organization referred to in this teaching. (A reminder that their site is undergoing significant changes – so be sure to check back from time to time to get their new resources.)
- Teaching Series Episode 011 – To Live Is To Give
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Didn’t realize the Holy Spirit was bald. Wonderful teaching. I just had my Q.T in that passage a few days ago and was wrestling with that passage that Paul was quoting. I am grateful that Brad had the interaction with those folks and the idea of “serving those who serve you.” That has me wrestling with serving even more than what I am now.
To be transparent I struggle with serving others. So if I am going to a place that is to “serve me” I am not thinking at all about serving them. Very challenging yet needed teaching!
Haha! Loved the bald comment, Brandon 🙂 And on a serious note, thank you for sharing what you did. It is hard serving other people well. And this is a teaching I have to hear regularly as well.
Brad, your dad was so kind to forward me this message and I’m glad he did. I intuitively serve those who serve me, most commonly by the way of a warm smile and sincere eye contact. Though, the way you presented this shook up my horizons and challenges me to show up in an even greater way. Keep on shining your light!
Michael, so great to hear from you, Friend! Thank you for sharing this. This whole concept has done the same for me as well.
Your Orlando friends love you, and this message. (We are behind in the series, so late to comment) This clip triggered a great conversation last night because most of our small group are HUUUGE Disney fans, and the idea of “serving” when we are “relaxing and want to get away, and paid good money, and deserve a break today, and want our needs met, and we are special, and blah blah blah…” it was just as you demonstrated: Mind-blowing! Then we began to list the people we often neglect to recognize: dr office, crossing guard, yard guy, lab tech, greeters at church, dentist, cashier, etc. After that we all thought of ways we can show them God’s love, in addition to a gift card to Starbucks, and the ideas were flowing. Thank you, Brad for this jolt to the system! Can’t wait to hit Disney Saturday morning to show the love of Jesus