A Servant’s Heart
What is a servant?
In the New Testament, the word for “servant” that is most commonly used is the Greek word “doulos,” which means “to bind.” It also came to mean “one who gives himself up to the will of another,” and became the most common word for “servant” in general without any idea of bondage attached to it; basically, a “willing slave.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)
I started this Bible study as a New Year's study on learning to go to God daily and ask what we can do for Him instead of making worthless resolutions that are meant to be broken. If we make a practice of asking God every day what we can do for Him, very soon we will learn to become His servants. In writing this study I learned that being a servant is not as much about what we do, as it is about the attitude we have while doing our service for others. Having a servant’s heart can be a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit. For those who have that gift, serving comes naturally. Some of us are not naturally gifted in the area of serving others. However, we can learn to become servants even if we don’t have that serving gift.
A servant of God serves God, not man.
Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4
It’s human nature, we all want to be acknowledged for the good things we do.
What are some ways you can intentionally serve God instead of man?
A servant of God sacrifices their will to God's will.
1 John 3:16-18
Serving means giving up things that are precious to us and taking care of other’s needs.
What are some things that you would see as sacrifices. How can you serve others through your sacrifice?
A servant of God has a humble attitude.
2 Corinthians 4:5, Philippians 2:3-4; Philippians 2:3-5
Serving others is not about us!!! It needs to be done with a humble heart.
How can you acquire a humble heart while serving others?
A servant of God asks God what He wants them to do...
Isaiah 55:8-9; Proverbs 3:5-6
Asking God what He wants reminds me of the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done…”
As we serve others, what are His thoughts? What is His ultimate will?
A servant of God is someone who obeys the Lord...
Romans 6:16
Obedience – to what is right and good which is God’s will, or to self, pride and self-honor.
Have you ever thought of that before?
A servant of God is motivated by love...
Galatians 5:13-14
List some ways you can purposely show God’s love to others through serving them?
How will they know it is because of God’s love that you are serving them?
A servant of God is willing to serve everyone...
Matthew 10:42
Relationships aren’t always easy and some people are harder for us to serve than others. God wants us to be willing to serve everyone.
Think of one person it would be hard for you to serve. What can you do for them this week?
Our Ultimate Servant – Jesus.
Matthew 20:26-28; Philippians 2:3-11; Matthew 25:9-40
Jesus is our example of what a servant looks like. Becoming a servant, is an attitude of our hearts. It is not so much what we do, but who we are and who we honor. We can give, work and serve others until the cows come home, but if we are not performing these services with an attitude of service to Christ, we are just serving ourselves. But, when we adopt a serving attitude and do it without thought of reward, we are actually serving Jesus!
What is a servant?
In the New Testament, the word for “servant” that is most commonly used is the Greek word “doulos,” which means “to bind.” It also came to mean “one who gives himself up to the will of another,” and became the most common word for “servant” in general without any idea of bondage attached to it; basically, a “willing slave.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary)
I started this Bible study as a New Year's study on learning to go to God daily and ask what we can do for Him instead of making worthless resolutions that are meant to be broken. If we make a practice of asking God every day what we can do for Him, very soon we will learn to become His servants. In writing this study I learned that being a servant is not as much about what we do, as it is about the attitude we have while doing our service for others. Having a servant’s heart can be a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit. For those who have that gift, serving comes naturally. Some of us are not naturally gifted in the area of serving others. However, we can learn to become servants even if we don’t have that serving gift.
A servant of God serves God, not man.
Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4
It’s human nature, we all want to be acknowledged for the good things we do.
What are some ways you can intentionally serve God instead of man?
A servant of God sacrifices their will to God's will.
1 John 3:16-18
Serving means giving up things that are precious to us and taking care of other’s needs.
What are some things that you would see as sacrifices. How can you serve others through your sacrifice?
A servant of God has a humble attitude.
2 Corinthians 4:5, Philippians 2:3-4; Philippians 2:3-5
Serving others is not about us!!! It needs to be done with a humble heart.
How can you acquire a humble heart while serving others?
A servant of God asks God what He wants them to do...
Isaiah 55:8-9; Proverbs 3:5-6
Asking God what He wants reminds me of the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy will be done…”
As we serve others, what are His thoughts? What is His ultimate will?
A servant of God is someone who obeys the Lord...
Romans 6:16
Obedience – to what is right and good which is God’s will, or to self, pride and self-honor.
Have you ever thought of that before?
A servant of God is motivated by love...
Galatians 5:13-14
List some ways you can purposely show God’s love to others through serving them?
How will they know it is because of God’s love that you are serving them?
A servant of God is willing to serve everyone...
Matthew 10:42
Relationships aren’t always easy and some people are harder for us to serve than others. God wants us to be willing to serve everyone.
Think of one person it would be hard for you to serve. What can you do for them this week?
Our Ultimate Servant – Jesus.
Matthew 20:26-28; Philippians 2:3-11; Matthew 25:9-40
Jesus is our example of what a servant looks like. Becoming a servant, is an attitude of our hearts. It is not so much what we do, but who we are and who we honor. We can give, work and serve others until the cows come home, but if we are not performing these services with an attitude of service to Christ, we are just serving ourselves. But, when we adopt a serving attitude and do it without thought of reward, we are actually serving Jesus!
I pray for God's blessings as you serve others, Violet
