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Origins: Week 3

Origins: Week 3

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Intro:

  • People question how we know Christianity is true. Hasn’t it changed over time? Isn’t our current Bible just a 2,000-year-old version of the telephone game?
  • How do you know who to believe when different churches believe different things?
  • In this “Origins” series we are looking at the origins of our Christian faith to see what the original Christians believed God meant in his Word.
  • This week we are looking at the Original Ministers
  • Many people are confused as to whom qualifies as a minister

Merriam-Webster Definition: one officiating or assisting the officiant in church worship

Greek word for minister – Diakoneó: to minister, to serve – caring for the needs of others as the Lord guides in an active, practical way.

  • In 1 Peter 4:10 we see that all Christians have gifts and are to use them in Christian service
    • Everyone of us who is a Christian is also a minister.
  • Jesus’ entire life was one of serving and he taught his followers how to serve as well (Luke 9:1-2)

1. SOME DON’T SERVE BECAUSE SERVING ACTUALLY TAKES A HEART CHANGE

  • As we grow in spiritual maturity, we take on Jesus’ attitude of being others-focused. We need to have the attitude of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-3)
  • There is a difference between volunteering and serving. You can volunteer without having the heart of God. Serving is all about having God’s heart in what we do.
  • Part of that heart change is understanding we all need each other and are meant to care about each other in the body of Christ. (Romans 12:4-5)
    • We are all the better as a part of the body. Serving isn’t an obligation, it’s for our good!

2. SOME DON’T SERVE BECAUSE THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND THEY ARE VALUABLE

  • Ephesians 4:11-12 tells us that the job of church leaders is to equip God’s people to serve
  • From 1 Corinthians 12 we get the picture of the body of Christ being like a physical body.
    • There are many different parts and each one is valuable
    • We all need each other because none of us is complete in our ability to minister
  • Some people have gift envy. How must that feel to God that his gifts to you aren’t enough?
    •  God sometimes gives new gifts to people as they prove faithful with the ones He’s currently given them.
  • Sometimes people resent how they got their gifts because they came from adversity.
    • 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 tells us that God uses our trials to comfort others
    • That experience you hate in your life may be something God can use you to help someone going through the same thing.
  • Sometimes ministry is hard! But when we use our God-given gifts, abilities and passions, directed by the Holy Spirit, it changes the world! The church is God’s plan to reach a dying world and we get the privilege of being a part of that plan.

3. SOME DON’T SERVE BECAUSE THEY DON’T KNOW WHERE TO START

  • We want to help you identify gifts God has given you
    • Although gifting is important, the needs of the church are equally as important and sometimes we serve where there is a need, even though we don’t feel particularly equipped to fill it.
      •  Sometimes that’s how God grows different gifts and passions in us.
  • A good place to start serving is where we see our passions, past impact and people’s affirmation intersect

 

Next Steps

  • While serving is for everyone, there are seasons to take a break from serving corporately
  • Corporate ministry opportunities
    •  Take the membership class; get the on going Ministries Needs list, start serving where there is a need.
    • Individual ministry opportunities
      Have a servant’s attitude when you come to church-look for people who are new in the lobby. Be friendly. Who is standing alone?
    • Call someone you haven’t seen at church or small group
  • Serving should be a part of every area of our life – Church, Home, Work & Play For

 

Small Group Discussion:

Opening Question: When was a time when someone ministered to you? Have you ever had someone not give up on you?

Main Point: Ministering to others is an important part of growing as a disciple of Jesus.

Read/Tell the Story: Mark 2:1-12 (Jesus Heals a Paralytic)

Questions:

  1. What did the men in the story do that the paralytic couldn’t do for himself?
  2. What do you think motivated these men to take their friend to Jesus? Why didn’t they just give up when they couldn’t get in?
  3. These men put the needs of the paralytic before their own. What causes someone to put others first?
  4. How do you think the guy that owned the house felt about this? When has something disrupted your life that was actually for a good cause?
  5. Jesus forgives the paralytic before healing him. Which do you think is more important?
  6. Has God (or someone else) ever given you what you needed instead of what you wanted?
  7. Who do you know that needs help seeing Jesus? What can you do to help them?
  8. What need is God asking you to consider, sacrifice for or minister to, in this season?

Supporting Scripture: Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Peter 4:7-11, Luke 9:1-6