Serving Challenge: An 11-Day Life-Changing Journey to Serve Like JesusSample

Introduction

When you look at the life of Jesus—His habits, His words, and His actions—you will see that the Way of Jesus is to become a servant. Jesus says in Matthew 20:28, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Jesus wasn't just all talk. He showed us what it was like to be a servant. Moments before the crucifixion, Jesus knew that all of His twelve disciples were about to fail Him. In the coming hours, they would become a collection of betrayers, deniers, and cowards. Knowing this, He still willingly lowered Himself to the humiliating task of washing the feet of His twelve disciples. He then tells them in John 13:14-15, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set for you an example that you should do as I have done for you."

Jesus loved us by serving us. He served those twelve disciples not just by cleaning their dirty feet but in the coming days, He would lower himself to become obedient to death on the cross. Jesus would sacrifice His own life so that others could have eternal life. He offers us the opportunity of a lifetime to follow after Him and to embrace the Way, which He taught through His words and lived through His actions.

The enemy's weapons are burnout, exhaustion, anger, unhappiness, disunity, loneliness, and anxiety. It's time to turn the enemy's weapons against him and fight back. But the way we fight isn't with a sword; it's with a basin and a towel. Throughout these next 11 days, you will study the Christ Hymn, Philippians 2:5-11. As you repeatedly read the same passages, know it's not an accident! Those verses describe Jesus's journey of servanthood. We need to understand them if we will be servants in this world. As we explore these verses we will be challenged to practice the 5 aspects of serving like Jesus.

You were made for more than just believing and existing until you die. You were made to serve. To serve for Jesus. To serve with Jesus. To serve like Jesus.

Challenge:

Invite someone to journey with you in this plan. After finding an ally, identify specifics, such as how often you will check in with one another and what questions you will ask each other at those check-ins.