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Proverbs 27:17 NLT

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Mark 10:33-35 NIV

“We are going up to Jerusalem”, he said, “And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher”, they said, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask”.

Mark 10:43-44 NIV

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

Mark 10:45 NLT

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• Share about a time that you served someone. How did it make you feel?
• Briefly describe a time when someone surprised you by going the extra mile to serve you. 

Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.

• Read Ephesians 2:10. Clay stated that, “Our eternal destination is not based on our good works or lack thereof. However, once we experience salvation in our lives, doing good works and serving others is an overflow of our decision for Jesus”. If you are a Christian, in what ways have you seen this statement play out in your own life?
• Read Mark 10:43-44. Explain how humility and pride relate to these verses. How does an attitude of humility help you make serving and putting others first a priority in your life? 
• Read Mark 10:45. What attitude are we to have toward serving others? How did Jesus model it?

Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness.

• When you serve others do you ever feel yourself doing it so that they notice what you have done?
• What is it about serving others that you find hard to do? What are some things that have prevented you from serving others in the past?
• What are practical ways that we can serve others with the attitude and heart of Jesus?

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• If you are not currently serving at Generations, we would love for you to sign up to volunteer. Remember, when you are not serving, the church is incomplete. We are always stronger and better together.
• As a Small Group, there are many ways to serve as a group. One way is committing to cook and serve a meal at Celebrate Recovery on Friday nights. If you are interested in doing this, email melanie@generationschurch.com. 

Start praying.  Be bold and pray with power.

• Lord, I want to be more like You. Thank You for sending Jesus to show me what it looks like to serve others. Help me to be attentive to those around me this week. I want to give Your love away to others by serving them. Give me the strength and courage to do what You lead me to do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.  

Start digging. For further study.

• Read the article, "What are ways I could serve/be serving in the church?” in Got Questions.

Question: Why should I allow sharpening in my life?

Answer: So you can be used by God

We are sharpened to serve.

Why should we serve others?

1. God created you to serve
2. Jesus lived to serve
3. The Church needs YOU