Young Life Campaigners

Young Life Campaigners 01-09-03 “the least of these,” i.e., hard to love, isn’t always nice to you, etc., or someone like Serving the Least a parent, sibling, friend, teacher or coach. Young Life Campaigners 01-09-03  Was there ever a time someone was kind to you in a completely Serving the Least unexpected way? Why was this surprising?  How about someone who you had not been nice to in the past?  Was there ever a time someone was kind to you in a completely unexpected way? Why was this surprising? 1. What does it mean to “serve”? Give some everyday examples.  How about someone who you had not been nice to in the past? 2. Who are the easiest people to serve? The hardest? Why? 1. What does it mean to “serve”? Give some everyday examples. Matthew 25:31-40 2. Who are the easiest people to serve? The hardest? Why?

1. This is talking about judgment day and people being separated – how does this Matthew 25:31-40 make you feel? Notice what Jesus thinks is important. 1. This is talking about judgment day and people being separated – how does this  Jesus gives specific examples to make this clearer. However, these make you feel? Notice what Jesus thinks is important. specifics can be generalized into caring for people emotionally, physically, spiritually, and practically.  Jesus gives specific examples to make this clearer. However, these specifics can be generalized into caring for people emotionally, 2. What kind of people are being served in Jesus’ parable? What does that tell you physically, spiritually, and practically. about our service? 2. What kind of people are being served in Jesus’ parable? What does that tell you  In today’s society, who would be “the least of these”? about our service?

3. What is the inheritance spoken of here?  In today’s society, who would be “the least of these”?

4. Why, according to this passage, should we serve others? What other reasons 3. What is the inheritance spoken of here? are there for serving people? 4. Why, according to this passage, should we serve others? What other reasons  Like the “righteous” in this passage, some people are not aware of their are there for serving people? service to Jesus. Why is that?  Does this passage mean we are saved by what we do?  Like the “righteous” in this passage, some people are not aware of their service to Jesus. Why is that? Luke 6:32, 35  Does this passage mean we are saved by what we do? “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?”  We are called to serve all kinds of people. Luke 6:32, 35  God wants us to serve “the least” – including the people who are hard to “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” serve, who do not treat us well or do not “love” us.  We are called to serve all kinds of people.  God wants us to serve “the least” – including the people who are hard to Matthew 5:41 serve, who do not treat us well or do not “love” us. “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” Matthew 5:41 PERSONAL APPLICATION: Becoming a servant for God takes time. You will “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.” not be the world’s greatest person overnight – take it one step at a time. Begin by picking one person you could do a better job of serving. This could be one who is PERSONAL APPLICATION: Becoming a servant for God takes time. You will not be the world’s greatest person overnight – take it one step at a time. Begin by picking one person you could do a better job of serving. This could be one who is “the least of these,” i.e., hard to love, isn’t always nice to you, etc., or someone like  In today’s society, who would be “the least of these”? People a parent, sibling, friend, teacher or coach. mentioned above, such as those who are not popular, those we don’t LEADER GUIDE like, those society looks down upon because of their behavior or Serving the Least status. Those who treat us or others poorly, etc.  Was there ever a time someone was kind to you in a totally unexpected 3. What is the inheritance spoken of here? Heaven. way? Why was this surprising? People are not often kind to others, or this was someone usually mean to you, you didn’t think that was in their 4. Why, according to this passage, should we serve others? To go to Heaven. character, etc. What other reasons are there for serving people? Because we love Christ  How about someone who you had not been nice to in the past? Did you and He not only loves and serves us, but also He loves the least. wonder why they had been nice to you? (Later in the Campaigners bring up how being the person on the giving end of this can be a way to show  Like the “righteous” in this passage, some people are not aware of their people Christ). service to Jesus. Why is that? As they become more like Christ they do it without knowing that it serves God. SERVICE  Does this passage mean we are saved by what we do? NO. But it does mean that if we truly are followers of Christ, we will want to do as He 1. What does it mean to “serve”? Service is working for God, it is doing asks and glorify Him, and serve others. things for others that shows them you care about them personally. Give some everyday examples. Just being kind, offering to give up your seat for someone, Luke 6:32, 35 doing favors and not expecting a return, having a good attitude when doing things “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?” How many of us only for others, helping someone who has dropped something or fallen, giving up love those who love us? Isn’t this passage convicting? something you want so someone else can have it, etc….. 2. Who are the easiest people to serve? People who are nice to us,  We are called to serve all kinds of people. people who we have something to gain by serving (i.e. popularity, etc.), people we  God wants us to serve “the least” – including the people who are hard to already know and like. The hardest? People we don’t know, people we don’t like, serve, who do not treat us well or do not “love” us. people who are not nice, not popular, who are looked down upon.. People who are real jerks, people who we think already have everything, etc. Why? Because Matthew 5:41 we just don’t like them, or we don’t want to be seen with them. Maybe we think “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. they have it all and we certainly aren’t going to do anything for them. PERSONAL APPLICATION: Becoming a servant for God takes time. You will Matthew 25:31-40 not be the world’s greatest person overnight – take it one step at a time. Begin by picking one person you could do a better job of serving. This could be one who is 1. This is talking about judgment day and people being separated – how does this “the least of these,” i.e., hard to love, isn’t always nice to you, etc., or someone like make you feel? It can be scary, unless we are confident of our salvation. a parent, sibling, friend, teacher or coach. It may seem like God is mean – but He tells us He has given everyone a chance. (i.e. Romans 1:20, and God’s character – He is just). Notice what Jesus thinks is important. Caring for the everyday needs and welfare of people (i.e. food, drink clothing), general kindness and generosity (i.e. inviting people in), caring for someone’s health, caring for someone’s loneliness.

 Jesus gives specific examples to make this more clear to the listeners. But these specifics can be generalized into caring for people emotionally, physically, spiritually and practically.

2. What kind of people are being served in Jesus’ parable? The least. What does that tell you about our service? We, too, must serve the least.