“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” —Mark 10:35-37
“And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.” —Mark 10:42
“But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” —Mark 10:43-44
“Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” —Luke 17:7-10
“Inaction is the same as opposition.” —Seth Godin
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” —Mark 10:45
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” —John 15:12-15
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.” —1 John 3:16
“Everybody can be great, because everyone can serve.” —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Group Questions
Read: Mark 10:35-45
Q1: In your opinion, why do Christians often struggle with the conflict of wanting to be “great” at things other than what is important to heaven? Explain your thoughts.
Q2: Jesus seemed so patient with the disciples’ quest for greatness. Rather than rebuke them he redirected their idea of what greatness really is. What would you say the differences are between “earthly” ambitions and the greatness Jesus was calling the disciples to find?
Q3: Pastor Paul pointed out that Jesus was very wise when he redirected James’ and John’s quest for significance. Jesus challenged them to pursue a greatness that is so different than what we may naturally aspire to. This greatness can “never be taken away”! How do you think that serving can actually be greater than all other pursuits?
Read: Mark 10:35
Q4: Jesus calls himself the “Son Of Man” in this verse. Jesus didn’t use the title often but in this case he seemed to want them to understand that he was not only God but he was one of them. What inspiration to love and serve others do you get from the way Christ loved and served others? Share your thoughts with the group.
Read: John 15:12-15
Q5: The call of Jesus is an invitation to greatness, because the call of Jesus is an invitation to a friendship with God! We have received the invitation of genuine friendship from Jesus, now it’s our chance to extend it to the people around us. How do you think we could do this individually or as a group this week (or in the weeks to come)?
Serving with your group can be encouraging, valuable, exponential and even fun! Think of ways you can serve inside and outside of the church together. Make a plan and assign some folks to organize it for the group. You can make a difference together!