Imitating Jesus-Questioning and Serving

Part 1: Questioning

- Questioning is a powerful tool used by Jesus to reveal truth and guide people closer to God. It is also a method that can help us grow as disciples and help others in their faith journey.

Biblical Examples:

1. Genesis 3:1-13:

• The Serpent's Question: "Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?" (Genesis 3:1)
• This question was designed to sow doubt and challenge God's goodness.
• God's Questions: "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9), "Who told you that you were naked?" (Genesis 3:11), "Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?" (Genesis 3:11)
• These questions were asked out of love, aiming to bring Adam and Eve to repentance and restoration.

2. Jesus' Questions:

• Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17-22): "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone." (Mark 10:18)
• Jesus used this question to challenge the young man's understanding of goodness and to reveal his heart's true condition.
• Peter (John 21:15-17): "Do you love me?"
• Jesus asked Peter this question three times to restore him and reaffirm his calling after Peter's denial.

Key Points:

• Questions Reveal the Heart: Proverbs 20:5 - "The purpose in a man's heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out."
• Questions Encourage Reflection: They help individuals reflect on their beliefs, motives, and actions.
• Questions Encourage Gospel Intentionality: They allow us to build meaningful relationships and help others grow in Christ.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus often used questions in His interactions with people?
2. How did God's questions to Adam and Eve differ from the serpent's question, and what does this tell us about God's character?
3. How can we, as disciples, use questions to help others grow in their faith?

Part 2: Serving

Serving is a fundamental aspect of being a disciple of Jesus. It involves sacrificial love and humility, following the example set by Jesus Himself.

Biblical Examples:

1. Jesus' Ultimate Act of Service:

• Philippians 2:6-8: "Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
• Jesus' life and death exemplify the ultimate act of service, serving others with no expectation of return.

2. Serving with No Strings Attached:

   Luke 6:32-36:

"If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful."

   True service goes beyond loving and serving those who can reciprocate. It involves loving and serving even those who may never repay us.

Key Points:

• Serve Where You Are: Serve the people God has placed in your vicinity, whether at work, home or in your community.
• Serve Together: Serving is not just an individual act but a collective effort as the body of Christ.
• Serve with No Expectation of Return: Following Jesus' example, serve others sacrificially without expecting anything in return.

Discussion Questions

1. How does Jesus' example of service challenge your current understanding of serving others?
2. What does it mean to serve with no expectation of return, and how can we apply this in our daily lives?
3. How can we serve those in our immediate circles (family, friends, coworkers) more effectively?

Prayer

Ask God to help you become better at asking meaningful questions and serving others with a heart of love and humility, following the example of Jesus.

Action Steps

Think of one person you can ask a meaningful question to this week and one way you can serve someone with no expectation of return.