Christianity – The “Way” to Be First

The Way to Be First

November 19, 2025

Activity: Helping Yourself vs Helping Others

MUSIC:

Intro:  Jesus calls us to a “radical” or “upside-down” life of faith. This is because we are living in this world…but have one foot in the Kingdom of Heaven at the same time. The values and desires of this world are very different than the values and desires that Christ wants to use to shape our character and help us make decisions (last few weeks!) We shouldn’t be surprised when non-believers don’t understand or mock the way we act towards others…like when we choose to serve them when we don’t “have to”.

Mark 9:33-35     “The Servant of All”

• What are the disciples arguing about on the road? Why do people care about who is the “greatest” (i.e. MVP, Summa cum Laude, gold-medalist, student body president, richest man in America, etc?)
• This is Jesus’ radical redefinition of greatness!
• What does “servant of all” look like in school, in your family, or sports?

Philippians 2:3-4     “Value Others Above Yourselves”

• Christian service to others has to be in your spiritual “DNA”
  • DECIDE – in advance that you are willing to serve
  • NOTICE – someone else’s need
  • ACT – even when it isn’t convenient for you
• Remember that Christian service isn’t about looking humble…but about actually being humble! (CS Lewis: “Humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself, but thinking about yourself less.”
• What can get in the way of serving others with a right heart?

 John 13:1-17     “I Have Set You an Example”

• Jesus knew his identity as the Son of God…which freed him to serve
• Washing feet was the lowest job for the lowest servant
• No act of service is “beneath” us as Christians
• What are some modern equivalents to washing feet?
• In what small ways can we serve others in our day-to-day lives?
• Verse 15: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” See also John 13:34-35.

 SUMMARY – The world can tell we are disciples of Jesus—not by the way we dress, or avoid bad words, or pray a lot…but mostly by the way we love and serve others! This is a radical way to live and is only possible by the power of the Holy Spirit in a life that is born again from above which dies to our old live embracing sin and now follows the Way of Jesus.

CHALLENGE: “Secret Servant” – like the Secret Service but without the cool shades and lapel mikes 😊  Everybody draws a name from the ones in attendance and then finds a way to secretly “serve” them in the coming week. Use your imagination: in what way can you help your person out when they need it? JUST DON’T GET CAUGHT.

 PRAYER