Serving Others: A Hands-On Family Bible Study |

Serving Others: A Hands-On Family Bible Study

What does it mean to esteem others better than yourself?
We have to take care of ourselves, but who else are we supposed to be concerned about?
Whose mind (way of thinking) should we be imitating?
Who is Jesus equal to?
What form did Jesus take when He came to this earth?

MEMORY VERSE – Philippians 2:4, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
TAKE ACTION – Sometimes it is easier to serve people we love and care about than total strangers, but as God’s people, we are to do good to all. Think of someone outside of your circle of friends and family that you can serve. Serving those in the world around us helps to “let our light shine” for the Lord to bring glory to Him. Maybe you would like to provide some bottled water and/or a “to go” snack for your mail carrier, Amazon delivery person, or garbage collector, especially during the hot summer days. If you have a regular cashier or waitress at your favorite store or restaurant, make them a homemade Thank You card telling them how much you appreciate all they do. What about baking some cookies or cupcakes for first responders in your neighborhood and delivering them? Think of what you want to do to shine God’s light of love in someone’s life today!
SING & PRAY – If you don’t already know it, try learning the hymn, “A Servant Song” and sing it at the end of each of these five lessons before closing with prayer.

Jesus was facing a very difficult time in His life, but He was still thinking of and serving others. What event was about to happen in His life?
What did He do to prepare to wash the feet of the disciples?
Who did not want Jesus to wash his feet?
Why was it significant that Jesus washed the feet of Judas too?
According to verse 15, what did Jesus want His disciples to learn from this foot washing experience?

MEMORY VERSE – John 13:15, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”
TAKE ACTION – Foot Washing: Let each member of the family take a turn washing the feet of another family member. Take your time and be thorough and thoughtful. After washing, dry the feet gently with a fluffy comfortable towel, and go the extra mile by rubbing in a fragrant lotion. While you’re doing this, think about Jesus doing this to twelve pairs of feet that had walked long miles on dusty roads and would have layers of grime. He did this as an act of love and to teach us to follow His example in how to love and serve others.
SING & PRAY – “A Servant Song” & closing prayer

MEMORY VERSE – Matthew 20:27-28, “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
TAKE ACTION – Make a family service jar. While playing together as a family is enjoyable, so is serving together. Label a jar “Family Service Jar” which contains slips of paper listing service activities that your family can do together. Pick a date and time to draw a slip and do what’s listed on it. Here are some ideas to get you started: Wash the family cars; do yard work for a widow; visit a nursing home; have a “kids cook” night; do a chore for another family member so they don’t have to; cook breakfast or lunch together at a Ronald McDonald house or homeless shelter; become pen pals with a missionary family; clean the house (while putting on some fun music in the background!); plant an herb garden; fix dinner and deliver it to someone who is sick or just out of the hospital; pick up trash around the church building and grounds; host a game night at your house for a new family at church; write a card to each member of your family telling them what you appreciate and admire about them.
SING & PRAY – “A Servant Song” & closing prayer

What were some of the needs the King had?
How did the righteous fill those needs?
What questions did the righteous ask the King?
When we serve others, who else are we also serving?
Are there those today who have some of these same needs? What can we do to serve them?

MEMORY VERSE – Matthew 25:40, “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”
TAKE ACTION – Make a compassion basket. Put together some items of comfort and healing in a basket and give it to someone who is sick or recovering from a hospital visit or surgery. You can find a variety of nice baskets at thrift stores for a good price. Line the basket with some colored tissue paper and tie a colorful bow on the handle. Fill it with items such as: soup (canned, or better yet, homemade!), Kleenex, cough drops, hand lotion, puzzle books, tea bags, candy, small bottles of Gatorade, crackers, or anything you can think of that the person would like or be able to use.
SING & PRAY – “A Servant Song” & closing prayer

MEMORY VERSE – I Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”

TAKE ACTION – Use Your Talents! Dorcas was a good seamstress and used that talent to make clothes for people who needed them. God has also blessed you with specific talents and abilities that you can use to help others. For example, are you good at drawing or painting? You could make some fabulous cards to send to someone who is sick or make artwork to hang on someone’s refrigerator to cheer them up. Do you like to bake? Great! Bake some cookies or homemade bread for someone who is hungry or recovering from an illness or surgery. Maybe you like to sew like Dorcas and can make potholders, pillow cases or Christmas stockings. Perhaps you’re a good reader and could read the Bible to a shut-in or someone who doesn’t have good eyesight. Not sure what your talent is? Can you work hard? Maybe your parents, grandparents, or neighbor could use some help with some yard work or household chores. Take some time to think about what you can do for others then put it into practice.
SING & PRAY – “A Servant Song” & closing prayer