CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL – Topic: TRUE SERVICE: THE KINGDOM ATTITUDE – Church of God Mission International – SUNDAY 3rd, MARCH 2024
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
The acceptable reason for Christian service love borne out of gratitude for what God has done for us.
DATE:
SUNDAY 3rd, MARCH 2024.
HYMN: S.S & S 798 “Fading Away Like The Stars Of The Morning”
TOPIC:
TRUE SERVICE: THE KINGDOM ATTITUDE
TEXT:
Matt 20:20-28; Mk 9:33-35
INTRODUCTION:
The word service has become very popular in our society today. It has almost become a slogan especially among people seeking one form of relevance or the other. It is quite unfortunate that true Christian service is almost becoming unfashionable and fast losing its intended purpose and place. People are either selfishly rendering service for what they stand to gain or outrightly remaining indifferent as far as selfless service is concerned. Our Lord Jesus Christ modelled service for us all through His life here on earth just to demonstrate it’s importance in the kingdom of God. Apart from just being the kingdom attitude, service is actually an indespensable pre-requisitte for greatness. Jesus said in Matt 20:26″…but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your servant”.
In the light of the above, there is therefore a great need to carefully examine the concept of true Christian service using the example of Christ.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this study are to:
- Define the term service and what true Christian service entails
- Identify some wrong reasons for offering services
- Discuss what motivates acceptable service
- Examine the right attitude for kingdom service
- Appreciate some benefits of true service
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A. WHAT IS SERVICE ? LK 22:27
Service is defined as any help you give to someone, especially by using your skills, ability or knowledge. It is one of the major characteristic of the kingdom every believer has been called into. Virtually, every good act one does can be equated to service to God and humanity. Seeing all God has done for us in Christ, it is therefore a privilege to play any role we can to further render service.
QUESTION 1B. WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE SERVICE ? Acceptable service can also be considered as faithful service. It is the kind of service that God accepts and attracts His blessing.
QUESTION 2. HOW CAN WE IDENTIFY UNACCEPTABLE SERVICE ? Wrongly motivated services are characterized by a wide range of attributes. We shall conside just three of such attributes.
A. SERVICE TO BE SEEN BY MEN(Matt 7:23). One wrong reason some believers offer service is to impress men and set themselves up to be seen as good people. Jesus speaking in Matt 6:1 warms “Take heed that you do not your alms before men to be seen of them, otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 1Sam 16:7 says “God does not look at the outward appearance but instead He looks at our hearts” and Prov 16:2(GNT) says ” You may think everything you do is right, but the Lord judges your motives”
B. SERVING IS PRIDE FOR SELF GRATIFICATION.
Some people offers services just to be identified from a position of power,prestige and for self aggrandizement. In other words, they serve with a feeling of superiority and arrogance. This is the set of people who will not mind embarrassing or demeaning beneficiaries of their acts of service. Othersay serve for what they stand to benefit directly from such service, our hearts must find that point of simplicity and humility in doing whatsoever we are doing for the Lord (Col 2:3)
C. SERVICE TO HANDLE GUILT/GAIN ACCEPTANCE FROM GOD (Isa 64:6; Eph 2:8-10; 1Sam 15:22). Another wrong reason for offering service may be to make up for a wrong doing or an attempt by an ignorant believer to gain God’s acceptance/favour. This position is both unfortunate and unfruitful for any believer. We often see some believers bury themselves in acts of service within and without the body of Christ either as a sin offering or as qualifications for God’s favour and acceptance. While these acts of service on their own may be very lofty and in some cases meet the needs of the body of Christ, it is imperative to remind those guilty of this that “We are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).
CLASS SHOULD MENTION OTHERS.
QUESTION 3. WHAT IS THE BASIS FOR TRUE AND ACCEPTABLE SERVICE ? (1Cor 16:14; 13:1-3). The only reason for serving God that is acceptable to Him and beneficial to man is love. This love must be borne out of gratitude for what He has done for us. Any service rendered within and outside the body of Christ that is not founded on the love of God is most likely borne out of wrong motive and as such not acceptable to God. Such service may attract benefits but those benefits will only be temporal. 1Cor 3:13 says “Every man’s work shall be made manifest, for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is”. Christ is love, receiving Him therefore is the primary basis for offering acceptable service that will deliver benefits to the believer. A man who has received into his life as his personal Lord and Saviour and has adopted Jesus’example of service with humility will always offer acceptable service. This man realizes that he is only a vessel through whom God is working both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil 2:13)
QUESTION 4. HOW THEN SHOULD WE SERVE ? Rom 12:6-8;11-12) Some of the ways we could serve are:
I. Serve with humility Matt 23:11-12
II. Serve with diligence -Rom 12:8
III. Serve consistently 2Tim 4:2
IV. Serve faithfully 1Cor 4:2
V. Serve fervently Rom 12:11
VI. Serve sacrificially
VII. Serve cheerfully Rom 12:8
VIII. Serve willingly Phile 1:14; 1Pt 5:2
CLASS SHOULD MENTION OTHERS
QUESTION 5. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TRUE CHRISTIAN SERVICE ?
Below are some of such benefits that will accrue to any believer who offers true service to God and humanity
I. True Christian service guarantees greatness Mk 9:35; Matt 20:27
II. It positions the believer to receive favour from God and man Gal 6:7-9
III. It brings glory to God Matt 5:16
IV. It testifies of our faith in God Jn 13:34-35
V. Attracts increase and commendation from God Matt 25:21
VI. Keeps us aware of other people’s needs Gal 6:2
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
A life of service to God and humanity should be the desire of everyone who has truly been saved. The purpose of our salvation is not just to escape hell but to become useful tools in the hands of our saviour to Dave as well as to serve others. Whether to believers or non-believers, our service should be inspired by the unconditional love of God and offered with humility as unto the Lord
MEMORY VERSE:
Matthew 20:27 “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”
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