Welcome to this special SERVE Sunday. Today is a celebration of the privilege we have to be an active participant in God’s eternal plan. God’s Word promises us that He created each of us to be unique, and gifted us with talents and interests we can use to impact the world around us. If you’re a visitor, we’re glad you’ve come to our church, and we welcome you into our community! We look forward to getting to know you better, and we want you to know we’re committed to equipping and supporting you as we learn how to live and serve together as a church community. This SERVE Sunday Next Step Bulletin Guide includes a sermon-notes page, study questions for individuals or small groups, six daily devotionals, and a tear-off Connection Card that will help you connect to our church and take the next steps in your spiritual growth. Together we are going to learn that God has blessed us with abilities and called us into His service. When we step forward and volunteer to serve, we are not just making our church and community a better place, we are actually living out God’s purpose for our lives. God calls us His masterpiece and assures each of us that before our lives began, He laid out good works for us to do. We just need to be willing to serve. Our prayer is that SERVE Sunday will help connect you to a special group or ministry in the church where you can exercise the talents God has given you. Serving others builds friendships, brings out the best in us, and helps us grow closer to the God who created us. So let’s get started …
SERMON NOTES
Copyright © 2012 by Outreach, Inc., Vista, CA 92081 All rights reserved. Written by Jennifer Dion. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
3
SMall-GROup OR iNdividual STudy QuESTiONS Read the following Scripture passages, and then answer the study questions. If you are using this guide in a small group or with friends, discuss the questions as a group. Pray that God uses this time to help you discover your gifts and begin serving others.
Read 1 Peter 4:8–11. According to verse 10, who should use their gifts to serve others? What do you think this verse means for you and your involvement in the church?
In the first part of this passage, Peter emphasizes love and showing hospitality to others. In the church you attend, are there ministries or people who help you feel welcome and comfortable? How do they do that?
Verse 10 tells us that we are to use our gifts to serve others. What gifts do you believe God has given you? Think about it this way: what do you think you do particularly well, and what types of activities do you enjoy the most?
What is one way you could use your unique gifts to serve others in the church and through the church’s ministries? Are there one or two ministries that interest you and might be a good match for your talents? (Note: A ministry is a method or organization through which people serve others. Some examples of church ministries are the music ministry, ushers and greeters, children’s ministry, or a ministry that assists people in the community who are poor or homeless.)
4
NEXT STEP GUIDE
According to verse 11, what or whom gives you the strength to effectively serve others? How does that affect your willingness to serve?
Read Galatians 6:9–10. Have you ever been in a situation where you were trying to do something good and you grew tired or discouraged? Describe that situation—how did it start and what eventually happened?
It’s understandable that we become tired or discouraged when we’re working hard or when we face difficulties. At the same time, the Bible tells us that God renews our strength and brings us encouragement. According to verse 9, what can we expect if we persevere?
Verse 10 instructs us to especially serve Christians—those who are part of Jesus’ church. Why do you think God wants us to do this?
What would you most like to see happen in the church you’re attending? How could you be a part of that change?
SERVE SUNDAY
5
daily dEvOTiONalS Monday Served by Jesus Read Matthew 20:26–28. This passage presents an incredible, almost unbelievable truth: the all-powerful God who created the universe came to earth, not to be served, but to serve. The Bible explains that Jesus had a mission when He came to live among us. From Luke 19:10 we learn that Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and what was lost was us! You are so very important to God that He sent His Son to seek after you and to give His very life for you. So how can you respond to Jesus’ service and sacrifice? First, John 1:12 says we have to believe in Him and receive Him into our lives. Second, in John 12:26, Jesus tells us that to serve Him we must follow Him and His example. Third, Jesus tells us in John 13:34 that one of the key ways in which we are to follow Him is to love one another.
Thank Jesus for coming down to earth to seek you and to serve you. Commit to following Him by loving and serving those around you.
Tuesday Designed to Serve
Read Psalm 139:13–16. The author of this chapter, Israel’s King David, is rejoicing over the fact that not only is he complex, unique, and perfectly designed but also that God knows him lovingly and intimately. Like David, you can be assured that nowhere in the world is there anyone exactly like you, with your unique combination of talents and characteristics. You were deliberately, individually, and with great love fashioned by God. In fact, you were created in God’s own image—a reflection of His nature. Now read Ephesians 2:10. Do you see a similar idea presented in this verse? You are God’s handiwork (some Bible translations say “masterpiece” or “workmanship”), designed with a specific purpose in mind. Before you were even born, God knew you and put together a great plan for your life. If you have ever wondered about the purpose of your life, here is a wonderful, encouraging answer to your question. You were created to do good works that God long ago planned for you!
Thank God that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and ask Him to reveal the good things He would have you do.
6
NEXT STEP GUIDE
ConneCtion CaRd I Would Like More Information About:
Wednesday Gifted for Service
Read Romans 12:3–8. The Bible frequently refers to the church as a body—the body of Christ. Just like the human body has many parts, the church is made up of members who each have distinct abilities and tasks to perform. Each person is valuable, and when talented people try to be like someone else or choose not to serve, the church is incomplete and less effective than it could be. First Corinthians 12:17–18 explains it this way: “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.” This week, think about your unique talents and how you could use them as part of the body of Christ. Just like a body with a missing part, the church you’re attending is not complete without you!
Get a list of the ministries at your church and review them. Pray for God to reveal your gifts to you and enable you to connect with the ministry that can best use those gifts.
Becoming a Christian Getting Baptized Becoming a Church Member Spiritual Growth Small Groups Children’s Ministry Youth Ministry Women’s Ministry Evangelism/Outreach Ministry Places I Can Serve Baby/Child Dedication Other _____________________________ Please Have a Staff Member Contact Me.
Share a Prayer Request:
Thursday Serving a Child
___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Read Matthew 18:1–5 and Luke 18:15–17. These Bible passages paint a beautiful picture of Jesus loving children and welcoming them into His presence. They also make an important point. In Luke 18:17 Jesus tells His disciples, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Children have a pure faith that is trusting and especially open to God’s truth. A study done in America a few years ago found that 86 percent of Christians made their decision to follow Christ by the time they were fourteen.
___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ _____________________________________
My prayer request is confidential.
Think about the church you’re attending and how the church welcomes, encourages, and teaches both young children and teens. What if 86 percent of the children at your church chose to follow Christ and you could be a part of influencing those decisions? Children’s ministry is a perfect window of opportunity to influence people’s lives for eternity. Chances are your church could use another volunteer; maybe it could be you!
Share a Praise: ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
Pray for any children in your life and ask God for an opportunity to have a spiritual influence in the life of a child or teenager.
___________________________________________ ___________________________________________ _____________________________________
SERVE SUNDAY
7
ConneCtion CaRd Please Print
Date: ________________________________ Name: ______________________________ Address: _____________________________ City, State, Zip:_________________________ Phone: (
) ______ - __________
E-mail: _______________________________ Please update my info.
Please indicate: Regular attender Visitor Out-of-town visitor
Please circle your current age group and school grades of any children
daily devotionals
Friday Servants of the Gospel
Read Philippians 2:19–30. In the middle part of the first century, the Apostle Paul faced a daunting task. God had called him to preach the good news of the gospel to the Gentiles (those who were not Jewish), and Paul found himself reaching new believers and establishing churches in Israel, throughout Asia Minor, in multiple cities in Greece, and eventually even in Rome. How could a single man cover so much ground and reach so many people without help? As it turns out, he didn’t; God sent Paul co-workers to assist with the mission. Timothy and Epaphroditus were not experienced leaders in the church when they first met Paul. Instead, they were young and still new believers. But as they labored to spread the good news of Jesus Christ, their dedication led Paul to praise them and refer to Timothy as his son, and Epaphroditus as a brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. What was true then is still true today— every church and leader needs a group of dedicated helpers to be successful!
Thank God for everyone you know who has preached the good news of Jesus Christ and who has furthered the work of Christ by serving you and leading you toward Jesus.
Saturday Serving until the End
Children: 0–3 yrs. 4–5 yrs. K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 College
Read 2 Timothy 4:6–8. This is one of the most touching, poignant passages in the Bible, for in it the Apostle Paul is marking the end of his life and his service to Jesus. It reads almost like an epitaph—the writing on a tombstone that sums up a person’s life. “The time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” The Apostle Paul poured out his life for Jesus and for others. Through Paul’s faith, his willingness to serve, and God working through him, the Christian church spread like wildfire throughout the Middle East and parts of Europe.
Male Female Single Married Single parent Widowed
What would it be like to finish your life and be able to say that you fought well, you were faithful, and you finished the race laid before you? Like the Apostle Paul, you have been called to follow Jesus and to change the world around you. Will you answer the call?
Adults: 18–23 24–29 30–39 40–49 50–69 70+
I made a decision today to: Receive Christ as my Savior Recommit my life to Christ
Thank God for the opportunity to be a part of His eternal plan. Pray that God will give you the strength and wisdom to serve Him and impact the lives of those around you.