1.

Christ the Servant

2. The Christian as a Servant

3. Serving as Leadership

4. Love, humility, gifting.

5. Humbling and servanthood

www.legana.org
 Christ, The Servant

LEADER’S NOTES

This is a practical Bible Study series. The result of this series should be
increased acts of service toward brothers and sisters in Christ, and a
willingness to serve in the world. The essence of a Christ-changed life is
humility. The fruit of humility is servanthood.
In this series we will explore how serving: honours God, reflects Jesus Christ,
blesses others, matures believers, evangelises and disciples.
We will see that serving costs. It requires humility. It requires sacrifice. It may
lead to being misunderstood. It will lead to being unthanked and
unappreciated. When we consider the humblest servant of all, Jesus
Christ, He was despised, mocked and rejected. Serving can be hard.
Christian service is different to mere humanitarian service. The Scriptures
teach that God empowers our service- we can serve in His strength.
Added to this, God places within the Church those who have the spiritual
gift to serve. By seeking God and His strength, the believer is able to do
more than they otherwise could. This then becomes a powerful witness
because it causes observers to wonder how it is possible. The answer of
course leads to God being glorified. Thus, when a believer refuses to
stretch in their serving, they are in part depriving God of glory.
The questions in this Bible Study series are designed to help lead your
group in exploring what the Bible actually says about servanthood; why it
might be saying this; and how we can apply those Texts which instruct us
in our serving. As the leader of the discussion, you should avoid the
discussion going too far off track, but be sensitive enough to allow for
pleasant interaction which is profitable for the group. You can supplement
these questions with additional questions that are “open-ended” (not
questions that can be answered “yes” or “no” but questions which
commence with: Who…?, What…?, Where…?, Why…?, When…?,
How…?).
The group should pray before the study for the Lord’s enlightenment.
Prayer can also be conducted for those within the group either before or
after the Study. Based on something someone says in the Study, it may be
appropriate to say to that person that they will be prayed for during the
prayer time following the Study. It is always a good idea to end the night
with hospitality and as leader, ensure that the group does not over-burden
its hosts especially by staying too late. Finally, please complete the Report
after your group meets so that this feedback can help me to serve you
better.

2 Studies on Servanthood prepared by Dr Andrew Corbett, Pastor of LEGANACHRISTIANCHURCH

 Servanthood

CHRIST THE SERVANT

“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
Matthew 12:18

We could have no greater example or hero of a servant than Jesus

Christ.
1. What did it take for even Jesus Christ to become a servant?
(Philippians 2:5-8)

The above passage shows us that Christ deliberately chose to become a

servant. But it cost Him. Later, we will see that servanthood comes at a
cost for us too.
2. Note Philippians 2:9-11. How did God the Father respond to Christ’s
choice to become a servant?

Later in our series we will also see that the Greatest Servant of all
commands His followers, all Christians, to be servants as well.

3. Read Matthew 20:26-28. What was the basis for Christ being able to
command that His followers be servants?

4. Based on Mark 10:45, what was Christ’s greatest act of

servanthood?

5. Why did Christ serve people?

www.legana.org 3
 Christ, The Servant

6. How else did Christ serve others?

Serving others on God’s behalf is enabled by the gifts and talents God
gives His servants. In Christ’s case, He potentially had every possible gift
and talent with which to serve others. I say potentially, because Christ -
without ever ceasing to be God - relinquished His power as God. His
ability to serve others was empowered by the Holy Spirit.

7. Read the episode of Christ’s service in John 13 from verse 5 to verse

14. Did Christ need the empowering of the Holy Spirit for this act of
service?

8. Based on John 13:14, discuss whether Christ’s followers need a

special word or anointing from God to serve others-

This episode of Christ’s service toward His disciples is a powerful illustration

of our salvation and sanctification. In order for us to be spiritually clean,
Christ must become our Servant and wash us. This is like our salvation.
Then Christ must continue to serve us by washing our faces, hands and
feet (note Exodus 30:19-21). This is why salvation is an act of God’s grace-
God serving us in a way we could not serve ourselves. As we shall soon
see in our later studies on servanthood, serving is an act of grace. Grace
is free for the recipient, but often costly for the giver. When it comes to
the salvation of a sinner, the Scriptures reveal what we know intuitively:
we cannot save ourselves, we need it done for us. Because of God’s
great love toward us, He has sent His Servant as our Servant to be our
Saviour. God has served to save us. He has shown us grace - God’s
Riches At Christ’s Expense.

9. How does Acts 3:26 claim that God wants Christ to serve and bless
people?

Amen.

Next study: The Christian As A Servant

4 Studies on Servanthood prepared by Dr Andrew Corbett, Pastor of LEGANACHRISTIANCHURCH

 The Christian as a Servant

LEADER’S NOTES
We have established that Christ was a servant, in fact- the Servant. As followers
of Christ we are to be servants like our master (Matt. 10:25). What we will see is
that although the world sees promotion as moving up, Christ regarded
promotion as moving down. John the Baptist once said that his goal was to
decrease (John 3:30). This is completely counter to the spirit of the world which
rewards arrogance, selfish ambition, and manipulated prominence. It is the
goal of this study to lead your group into a commitment to serve others in the
spirit of Christ. This spirit will affect the way they interact with pre-Christians, but
especially with fellow believers (Gal. 6:10). When the local church assembles it is
a display what sacrificial service looks like. The church is a servant organisation.
But it is more than this. It is a voluntary servant organisation. The world can
barely comprehend this. This is largely because we live in not just a professional
world, but a highly commercial world where time is money and time is only
exchanged for money. Yet in a church, an organised army of committed
volunteers, people are not serving for money - even those who are paid (like
the pastoral staff) are really paid-volunteers. It is not money which causes them
to serve. It is their devotion to Christ! In fact, the term “minister” actually means
servant.

When a business grows, it’s managers and owners are usually promoted. But
when a church grows it’s ministers must be demoted- that is, they decrease by
increasing their servanthood. This reflects what John the Baptist said when
Christ, the focus of his prophecies, appeared- “I must decrease and He must
increase.” (John 3:30)

In this study we will explore why a Christian is a servant, why this requires
humility, and why this is difficult for most Christians to maintain.

As the group leader your job is not just to lead your group through this Bible
Study, but to also help your group members to get to know each other better
with the goal of discovering of how they can serve each other better. Members
of your Bible Study Group may be carrying loads, cares or burdens that they
have not disclosed. As leader, you can gently reassure your group that
because Christ is The Servant, He can serve us at the point of our secret need-
whether that need be healing, forgiveness, hope, or reconciliation. As you lead
your group in prayer, you set the tone for the Bible Study. As you ask the Study
questions and your supplementary questions, your engagement with those in
your group (by “active listening” that is, eye contact, verbal
acknowledgement, and affirmation of a person’s answer) will help your group
members to have the confidence that they can share issues of their heart and
thus have God minister His changing grace to them.

www.legana.org 5
 The Christian as a Servant

6 Studies on Servanthood prepared by Dr Andrew Corbett, Pastor of LEGANACHRISTIANCHURCH

 Servanthood

THE CHRISTIAN AS A SERVANT

If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and
where I am, there will my servant be also. If
anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
John 12:26

Imagine your family farm had struggled through drought and

famine for one too many years. Your father has borrowed
equipment, money and food with the promise that when
things turn around, he will repay his creditors. But the harvests
never came. Your family has ended up borrowing to pay the
interest on the borrowings they have already made. And
now the creditors demand that their accounts be settled. In Biblical times
there was only one way a situation like this could be resolved. You and your
family would be sold as slaves to recoup the creditors’ debts. Under Biblical
Law, you would have to serve for a minimum period before your debt was
considered cancelled. While under servitude you would be required to do
whatever your master asked, whenever your master asked, however your
master asked - whether you liked it or not.

1. Read what Jesus had to say about being a servant in this context in
Luke 17:7-10. How does this show us how Christ wants His followers to
serve?

2. In what way is this passage not just about what a servant of Christ
should do? In what ways does this teaching from Christ challenge
you?

3. Discuss John 15:15 in the light of Christ’s followers being His servants.
What is Christ saying about the motivation of His followers as
servants?

4. How do Christ’s beattitudes about Christian service, particularly in

Matthew 5:40-41, reveal the type of service Christ is looking for?

5. Why do you think most Christians find it hard to serve in this way?

www.legana.org 7
 The Christian As A Servant

6. Sometimes we can feel that our service for God and others is not
only unappreciated but pointless. In what way does Acts 13:36
reveal why our humanly unappreciated service have a higher
purpose?

7. In Acts 20:18-19, Paul describes how he served the church at

Ephesus. Note carefully what he has said. While there is joy and
ease in serving within the church community, there can also be
other experiences associated with it. What can observe in this
passage as Paul’s experience and attitude in doing so?

8. Based on Romans 1:9, how else did Paul say he served the church?

9. In what way is Romans 12:11 a challenge for how we are to serve

the Lord?

10. According to Romans 14:17-19, what type of service brings God’s

acceptance and the approval of others?

Christ’s followers are called to serve within the church- to their brothers
and sisters with their time, talent and treasure. We are also called by
Christ to serve the world as His ambassadors. This is why our jobs hold
higher meaning for us.
11. In what ways does First Corinthians 9:19 encourage us that our
serving can be fruitful?

Serving Christ within the Church and the world may require, for some, the
traits of Second Corinthians 6:4-10. But above all, as we serve Christ we
will need the motive prescribed in Galatians 5:13.
Amen.
Next Study: Serving as Leadership

8 Studies on Servanthood prepared by Dr Andrew Corbett, Pastor of LEGANACHRISTIANCHURCH

 Servanthood

LEADER’S NOTES
Servant-Leadership is largely about attitude (we’ll look more closely at motive
and attitude in our next study) and a preparedness to work. In this Bible Study
we examine the teaching of Christ about leadership in which Christ established
the standard of servanthood for His leaders. But it almost sounds contradictory.
How can a leader be a servant? In this study we’ll see that Servant-leadership
involves considering the needs of others and while leading them (which
involves influencing them, directing them, or reorganizing them) it also involves
looking after them. Therefore, a servant-leader needs to be considerate. And
not just of those they are leading.

Consider, Christ was nice, considerate, and helpful to many different people-
not just those He was ‘leading’. This shows us that the true servant-leaders are
kind and considerate toward others generally, not just those they lead.

As the leader of this Bible Study group you have a wonderful opportunity to
emulate servant-leadership to your group. Pray for them. Encourage them. Talk
with them. Allow them to share. During this study you find your study group
members may wonder what this has to do with them. Afterall, they may reason,
they are not “leaders”. But as this study progresses they may come to see
‘leadership’ differently. Leadership is serving. Put another way, Leadership is
helping others. In this light, we can (and perhaps should) all be leaders to one
degree or another.

You might like to invite those who are new to your Bible Study Group to
introduce themselves and share where they are at on their spiritual journey. If
you have no new members in your group, you might like to discuss with your
your group how new members can be introduced and welcomed in. Each
week we have new attenders joining our church. The most proven way to see
these new attenders commit to our church is for them to be welcomed into a
small group.

You could also ask pastoral questions of your group before you commence the
study. Questions like, Before we look at the study tonight, let’s go around the
group and share something the Lord has impressed upon us from His Word since
we last met. Or, Before we do the Study tonight, let’s go around the group and
share something you would like the group to support you in prayer for.
Finally, I have a message by Ps John Piper which I have burnt for you onto a
CD. This is a message on Servanthood and Humility which will help you to
prepare for our next Study. Thank you for leading your group and caring for
Christ’s sheep.

www.legana.org 9
 Serving As Leadership

10 Studies on Servanthood prepared by Dr Andrew Corbett, Pastor of LEGANACHRISTIANCHURCH

 Servanthood

SERVING AS LEADERSHIP
But it shall not be so among you. But whoever
would be great among you must be your
servant,
Mark 10:43

History tells us that whenever Christians have exercised power and authority
in society, they have misused it. The result has been a church in decline,
general mistrust and cynicism from the public and a loss of pure, genuine
evangelistic zeal.

1. In what way is Luke 22:26 about the attitude of Christ’s followers?

2. How did Christ’s statement in Luke 22:27 give Him the right to ask
that His leaders become servants?

Christian leaders are to serve those they lead. But this should not be
understood as “weak” leadership. Neither should it be thought of as
permission to treat ‘leaders’ disrespectfully.

3. How can a Christian leader best serve those they lead?

4. In what ways does Hebrews 13:7 imply ways in which leaders can
serve those they lead?

5. Based on Hebrews 13:17 why is it important (to say the least) that
leaders serve well?

Nehemiah is a premier example of leadership in Scripture. He served the

returned Jews by overseeing the reconstruction program of Jerusalem,
particularly the walls. The purpose of this was the welfare and protection of
the people of Jerusalem. Nehemiah used his organisational skills and
worked day and night to ensure that he best directed everyone’s efforts.

www.legana.org 11
 The Christian as a Servant

6. Christian leadership means serving others sacrificially. In what ways

did Paul the apostle lead like Nehemiah? (Note 2Cor. 6:4-5;
11:25-29)

7. Paul warned the Romans against those who claimed to be ‘leaders’

yet did not lead with a servant heart. Note in Romans 16:17-18 how
he said these ‘non-servant’ “leaders” could be identified-

Christian leaders serve Christ by serving within those within the Church. This
is magnificently important for Christian leaders to keep in mind. When
leaders think that they are serving others in the Church for Christ it can
easily cause them to become disgruntled, discouraged or even
disillusioned.
8. Although Paul regarded himself as a “super-apostle”(2Cor. 11:5;
12:11), ultimately, how did he think he should be regarded
according to First Corinthians 4:1?

Servant-Leadership involves working with others. Servant-Leaders

understand authority (Matt. 8:9). They understand that they are under
authority, perhaps to another servant-leader, and they understand how to
use their authority when leading others. If you are under authority, serving a
leader, you serve without “delegating up” (you don’t put your responsibility
back onto your leader). If you are in authority as a servant-leader you will
serve by following up.

9. What did Jesus consider to be the basis for “great” leadership?

(Matt. 20:25-26)

10. Why do you think many Christians struggle to exercise ‘servant-

leadership’? What challenges do Christian servant-leaders face?

Amen.
Next Study: Love, humility, gifting

12 Studies on Servanthood prepared by Dr Andrew Corbett, Pastor of LEGANACHRISTIANCHURCH

 Servanthood

LEADER’S NOTES
Another way of saying “servanthood” is to say, humility. To be humble is to
serve. All believers should strive to be humble. Servanthood is also one of the
greatest demonstrations of love. A willingness to serve is therefore one of the
hallmarks of Christian maturity.

Is there someone in your Bible Study Group who needs assistance? Perhaps
your group could practically respond to the teaching in this study by helping
someone connected to your small group.

We now live in an age of waning volunteerism. This seems to have resulted in a

generation that is reluctant to serve unless there is something in it for them. To
correct this we need mature examples and patient instruction from the
Scriptures. I hope this is indeed what we are doing. Last Sunday our head usher
was struggling with moving trestle tables from our auditorium to our Education
Centre as several strapping young lads sat and watched. Perhaps one of the
signs that we are making headway in discipling our church into glorious
servanthood is that scenes like this one become less common.

There are of course those who are gifted with servanthood. This study will show
that those who are gifted will often be the first to see the needs of others. They will
also be the ones most likely to feel unappreciated for their service. But they are
also the ones who are most likely to instruct the rest of us who don’t serve
naturally. I hope we can make the point that there are people who are gifted to
serve, who should be honoured, and from whom we have a lot to learn about
how to serve.

As group leader, gently observe how those in your small group react or respond
to this study. It may be appropriate to ask your group how you can together
cultivate the best environment for people feeling that their service is significant.
During this time you might pass on an encouraging comment to someone in
your group who you have noticed has been faithfully, albeit quietly, serving
Christ within the church.

I have given you an audio CD of John Piper’s message on Servant-Leadership

as Humility, I would also like you to listen to a message by John Dickson
available from- http://www.legana.org/studies/servanthood/servanthood-
media-files/Winsome-Humility.mp3 .

www.legana.org 13
 Love, humility, gifting

14 Studies on Servanthood prepared by Dr Andrew Corbett, Pastor of LEGANACHRISTIANCHURCH

 Servanthood

LOVE HUMILITY GIFTING

serving the Lord with all humility and with tears
and with trials that happened to me through the
plots of the Jews;
Acts 20:19

By now we have seen from Scripture that serving is an essential Christian

trait. But there is an even greater reason why believers need to serve. By
serving Christians grow because they are developing the most difficult of
Christ-like qualities.

1. According to Ephesians 4:2, what are the essential elements to

serving within a church among other believers?

2. What is humility so necessary for a church to be strong and healthy?

3. Why is it not possible to apply First Peter 3:8 without serving? (Refer
to Colossians 3:12)

4. Why is being humble so difficult?

In a message on Humility by Dr John Dickson, he defines ‘humility’ as

withholding your power for the good of another. He tells the story of a black
guy riding a bus when a few young men get onto the same bus. They decide
to target this seemingly vulnerable quiet black guy and call him names and
tell him to get out of their seat. Without any fuss, he arises to their audible
gasp as they realise they had greatly underestimated his size.
5. What does the Lord promise for those who are humble for His sake?
(Matthew 18:4; 23:12; Luke 18:14)

6. Read Philippians 2:3. Based on this verse, what should humility look
like within a church?

www.legana.org 15
 Love, humility, gifting

As he walked past them, he handed one of them his business card- JOE LEWIS
Professional Boxer. Joe Lewis would go on to become the Heavy Weight
Boxing Champion of the world shortly after this. John Dickson illustrates his
definition of humility with this story. Can you see how it illustrates what humility
is? Have you ever had any moments like this?
7. According to Galatians 5:13, what is the essential ingredient
necessary for Christ-like service?

8. Based on Hebrews 6:10, what two particular things does it say that
God wont forget or overlook?

Believers are servants because they love. If you want to become a stronger
believer and enjoy greater blessing, develop your love for others: serve
them (Mark 12:31; John 15:13).
9. Consider in what ways obeying Colossians 3:12-15 will affect the
health of a church. Which part of this passage do you think most
believers would find the most challenging?

Some people find serving very natural. These people shy away from being
upfront and in the spotlight. They also see needs before most others.
10. Based on Romans 12:6, why might this be so, and how would
someone know if this was for them?

We all need to learn how to serve. There are opportunities for us to serve
within the church and in our worlds. We have opportunities to share the
love of Christ through our serving within our homes, our schools, our
workplaces, and our clubs. If you really want to learn how to serve well,
watch those who are gifted at it. Do you know someone is a gifted with an
ability to serve? What is it that they do that you would like to be able to
do? May God help us to serve Him as we serve Him and serve His people.
Amen.

16 Studies on Servanthood prepared by Dr Andrew Corbett, Pastor of LEGANACHRISTIANCHURCH

 Servanthood

LEADERS NOTES

The depth of a believer’s Christ-like maturity is commensurate with their

Christ-like servanthood. Like Christ, these believers respond to life’s
interruptions as opportunities to serve someone. In this way, they avoid
being so task-driven in their servanthood that they forget that its actually
about helping people. If we want to be a stronger, healthier church, we
must become a humbler more servant spirited church. And if we commit
to becoming this type of believer and this type of church, we can
expect that our commitment will be tested.
How do servant-spirited people react to mean-spirited people? In this
concluding study on servanthood we are going to explore the choice to
serve when it’s hard to do so. To choose to respond to difficult situations
in a humble way is one of the hallmarks of the mature believer. (This was
best exemplified by our Lord when He was being reviled and despised
by those He came to save.) We have to make choices to respond
humbly to our protagonists by serving those who provoke us. By doing
this we are heaping burning coals on the heads of our adversaries (Prov.
25:21-22).
To follow Christ in humility, we also need to avoid the opposite spirit of
humilty: pride. It was pride that led to the fall of Satan. It is pride that
justifies our lack of service. It is because of pride that someone claiming
to be a believer will feel ‘above’ their brothers and sisters in Christ. Pride
divides and ultimately destroys. It’s victims are families, marriages, and
churches. We want to help people to realise that offences will come and
that we are called to respond humbly with a servant-spirit.

www.legana.org 17
 Humbling And Servianthood

18 Studies on Servanthood prepared by Dr Andrew Corbett, Pastor of LEGANACHRISTIANCHURCH

 Servanthood

HUMBLING AND SERVANTHOOD

To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by
so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Romans 12:20

“To the contrary…” being a servant is contrary to the spirit of this world. At
the moment when the apostles thought they were preparing to reign with
Christ they began bickering who would be the greatest in Christ’s Kingdom.
It was at this time that Jesus took a bowl of water and a towel and began
to clean the dirty feet of His followers (John 13:3-8).

1. Based on the events of John 13:3-8, why was Jesus so disappointed

with His disciples?

2. In what way is bickering and disunity the sin of pride? (Refer to John
13:3-8, and Ephesians 4:1-2)

Humility is withholding your ‘power’ for the good of others. Humility

beautifies. It makes a person attractive. Do you know someone who is very
intelligent but when they are with ‘unlearned’ people they don’t ‘speak
down’ or use their learning to impress those they are with? Such people
have learned how to humbly handle their power. In this way a learned
person can serve others with their knowledge in a humble way.

3. Sometimes we only think of manual service as the only legitimate

way to serve others. But how else might a servant-spirited believer
serve others?

For a church to be strong and healthy it needs everybody serving with their
gifts, talents, and abilities. The challenge is for those who are called to
intercession to do so without being asked, appointed, or applauded. For
those with a pastoral gift their challenge is going to be to encourage the
struggling without becoming critical. Those with the gift of giving are going
to face the challenge of giving “no-strings attached.”

www.legana.org 19
 Love, humility, gifting

HUMILITY & SERVICE AS A SIGN OF FORGIVENESS

Forgiving is perhaps one of the greatest challenges for the believer.
Forgiveness is a fruit of, not a condition for, salvation.
4. Why is it imperative to forgive those who offend us based on
Matthew 6:14?

5. In what way does Colossians 3:13 require humility of us?

Is it necessary to trust those you serve? Is it necessary to trust those you

forgive? Is it necessary to be willing to serve those who have offended you?

6. Have you ever served someone you didn’t like? What affect did
your service have?

There will be times when you are hurt by offence within our church. It will
nearly always be unintentional. This doesn’t excuse it or justify it, but it
should arm us. That is, knowing that people are people both within and
outside the church, we should be armed with the spiritual warfare weapons
of forgiveness and humility and to be ready to serve that person in love. This
is what Christ did. We had deeply offended Him. Yet Christ reached out to
us in humble, loving, service.

7. How does Romans 12:19-20 advise us to respond to those who

offend or hurt us? Is it possible to obey this without humility?

May God help us to be a strong, healthy, growing church. To achieve this

we need to be servants. For some of you this will come easier because God
has gifted you. For the rest of us it will require more effort. To be the kind of
servants God calls us to be we need to be humble and forgiving. For our
church to continue to grow and to be all that God wants us to be will
depend upon our willingness to serve. Please continue to pray for this.
Amen.

20 Studies on Servanthood prepared by Dr Andrew Corbett, Pastor of LEGANACHRISTIANCHURCH