Next: Serve

Series: Next
Serve by Ted Beasley, February 17, 2008

For this conclusion of the Next series, Ted gave us the challenge of making serving one of our next steps, but he also show us that it may not be as hard as we think.

1. Ted opened by talking about some of the music that fired him up when he was young and impressionable… made him want to change the world. Give that a shot in the group: can you think of any song that got you excited about some ideal… or made you think the world was full of possibility? Go around and reminisce a little: what was one of those songs for you? (10 minutes)

2. Naturally, few of us decide to change the world because of a song, but almost all of us at some time or another have some really big dreams about something we could do, but never quite got to the starting block – or started and then ran out of steam early. So, what are some of the reasons we don’t follow through on our good intentions? Take a few minutes to just talk about some of the things that get in the way. (10 minutes)

3. One of the great encouragements of this message (and Jesus’ message), is that we don’t have to do the BIG thing: Doing a small thing is a good thing. Take a look at the last Bible verse below, from Matthew 10. It might be interesting to know that this passage comes at the end of a long speech by Jesus. He is sending the disciples out on a “missionary” journey. He has given them vast power and lots of direction and caution (See the whole chapter of Matthew 10). But at the very end of all that teaching, before He sends His disciples out, He says that a cup of water is enough to be of service. Spend some time talking about what a “cup of water” may have represented during Jesus time, and what it could mean in ours. (10 minutes)

4. As Ted mentioned, Gateway has set up a blog site where you can post your own examples of offering a cup of water in your world. (Click here to check it out.) The purpose is not to pat ourselves on the back, but to give us all encouragement about our impact in the world around us, and to give us all ideas about how we could be serving in our day-to-day lives. Try that in the group. Think for a minute about the last year. Can you think of sometime where you have reached out in a small way to help someone outside your immediate friends and family that showed them that you cared? Go around the group and encourage each other with what is possible. If you share your own experience here, be sure to talk about what YOU gained from the experience… if anything. (10 – 15 minutes)

5. In the message, Ted noted three things that are needed to serve: Live, See, and Love. Try this out on a limited scale. First, pray and ask God to give you fresh eyes to look at others whose lives you cross. Then, think about those intersections, focus on one area, and then try to identify one person who seems to you like they may have a need. Can you think of anyway that you could offer a cup of water? If so, write that down for later thought. If you can’t think of anything right off, then plan to ask God to show a next step if He has one for you with that person. Once you've done that individually, pair off in the group and share what you thought about on this question with a discussion partner. If you have some specific action in mind, be sure to share that, and then plan to come back next time and tell your partner what happened . Also, please take a look at the first "Next Step" below for suggestion by Ted to get an idea about Gateway resources for helping others. (10 minutes)

6. Close by allowing anyone who had an “ah-ha” minute in the paired discussion to share in the larger group. (5 minutes)

Bible verses from the message:
What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, “Son, go and work today in the vineyard.” "I will not,” he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, “I will, sir,” but he did not go. Which of the two did what his father wanted? Matthew 21: 28-31

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate . . . When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John . . . Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."
Acts 3: 1 - 6

Then those “goats” are going to say, “Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or homeless or shivering or sick or in prison and didn't help?” He will answer them, “I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me—you failed to do it to me.” Matthew 25: 44-45

This is a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it. It's best to start small. Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance. The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won't lose out on a thing. Matthew 10: 41-42

Next-Step Resources:
To find out what areas of help Gateway has available, check out Gateway Resources. If someone you know needs help (or you do), this may be a way to respond.

To get some ideas about Next Steps for you on your own spiritual journey, take a look at the Gateway Next Steps website. Info here can help you better gauge where you are and where and how to move forward .

To listen to Ted's message "Serve", to review the whole "Next" series - or hear other messages, you can download or listen at Gateway's Sunday Message Archive.