Improve Your Serve (2)

“The Call to Serve”

Theme verse:

1 Peter 4:10 “Just as each one has received a gift, use it for serving one another, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”

Contextual verses:

English Standard Version (Chapter 4)

7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Exploring the Call to Serve:

1. Understanding the Divine Call:

- **Expanded Explanation:**

- Invite congregants to reflect on the concept of a divine call to serve, emphasizing that it is a calling from God.

- Illustrate the idea that each person is uniquely gifted and called by God to contribute to the well-being of others.

- Share relevant biblical narratives that highlight individuals responding to God's call to serve, underscoring the divine aspect of service.

2. Personalizing the Call:

- **Expanded Explanation:**

- Encourage individuals to personalize the call to serve by considering their life experiences, skills, and areas of passion.

- Provide reflection prompts or exercises that prompt individuals to identify specific ways in which they can serve based on their unique attributes.

- Facilitate group discussions or small group activities where congregants can share their insights and receive support in discerning their personal callings.

3. Biblical Examples of Purposeful Service:

- **Expanded Explanation:**

- Highlight biblical figures who discovered their purpose through acts of service, such as Moses, Esther, and the disciples.

- Explore how these individuals responded to God's call and found profound purpose in their willingness to serve others.

- Draw parallels between biblical narratives and the contemporary journey of congregants in discovering their purpose through service.

#### 4. **Communal Exploration:**

- **Expanded Explanation:**

- Foster a sense of community exploration by encouraging congregants to share their thoughts and experiences related to discovering their call to serve.

- Create opportunities for communal reflection through group discussions, testimony sharing, or collaborative activities.

- Reinforce the idea that the journey of discovering one's purpose is enhanced when shared within the supportive community of faith.

### Closing Thoughts:

By exploring the foundational concept of the call to serve in this comprehensive manner, the congregation is guided to see service as a deeply personal and transformative journey. Emphasizing that service is a pathway to discovering one's purpose encourages individuals to approach service with joy, intentionality, and a sense of divine calling. This understanding creates a foundation for the entire "Improve Your Serve" series, setting the tone for a series that goes beyond duty to inspire a life of purposeful and joyful service.