When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17)
Today let’s consider the priority of the Discipline of Service in our lives. The story of the washing of the feet of the disciples is a signature object lesson. Jesus clearly uses the occasion to emphasize the priority that having a servant heart should have in the life of His disciples. The passage above captures Jesus’ teaching on the act he has just performed. Please prayerfully read the passage and answer the questions below.
Today’s Questions for comments:
- How would you rate the priority that the Discipline of Service has in your life?
- How can we promote the Discipline of Service more in our churches?
Tomorrow we will consider the discipline of stewardship.
March 26, 2015 at 6:21 am
How would you rate the priority that the Discipline of Service has in your life?
Not where it should be. I was going to say 6 and reconsidered. I have to consider my heart’s motive at time and that would take points away :). I am grateful for grace new ever morning and the opportunity to serve with a Servant’s heart.
How can we promote the Discipline of Service more in our churches?
We need to talk about it, teach it. We need to live the servant hearts life so other can see the example. We need to pray asking for a servant heart and a motivation driven from a desire to glorify God and not ourselves.
March 27, 2015 at 7:30 am
I agree with your comment of talking about and teaching .
The turn off for people who attempt to come to church is real.
Most people want to see preaching turned into practice.
Service is essential to serve God.
March 26, 2015 at 11:05 am
How would you rate the priority that the Discipline of Service has in your life?
I think I would rate the Discipline of Service as a 6-7 in my life. I feel like God has given me a heart to reach out to people, as I love being able to help when I can (sometimes to the point where I don’t know when to say ‘no’). However, I feel like I can do better in being more open about my love for Christ when I do acts of service. I would love for people to know that I do what I do because of what God has done for me, not solely because I’m “nice.”
How can we promote the Discipline of Service more in our churches?
I agree with you, Aunty Bridget!
March 26, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Mentally the discipline of service has a high priority for me because I know first hand how rewarding it is (to me) to be a blessing to someone. I have no idea how entrenched the discipline is in my life or not – I do know that I TRY.
I have learned that I can get caught up in the ‘acclaim’ of others for being ‘kind and nice’ and rued the fact that my motives are not pure. I now believe it is an inescapable fact that the motives of human kind is not pure – we are sinners and will necessarily fall short. This is suppported in scripture Jer. 17:9, Romans 3:23.
Therefore I say fear GOD and do good anyway – even if is not a totally selfless act! For GOD knows we are dust and take pity on His children (Ps 103:13-14).
I think the Discpline can be promoted by TEACHING – and showing people different ways of servanthood – you dont have to go through hardships to be a servant – for eg ministering to the poor in difficult and impoverished terrain. You can be of service in a multidue of ways and places – GOD will enable you for whatever you have been called to do. Just be open to HIM.
March 27, 2015 at 7:31 am
Well said
March 26, 2015 at 9:31 pm
Thanks commentators! Your words of commitment to service are encouraging. We are surrounded by people in need and we should have the heart of a servant. Our Lord certainly had a heart to serve.
“…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.” (Matthew 20:27-28)