Living For Others

INTRODUCTION

How many of you have siblings?

Have you ever argued over who gets a certain seat in the car, or at the dinner table?

Have you ever argued over who gets the last piece of pizza or cookie?

We naturally think about ourselves first. While that’s normal for us — because we are sinners — it is not how God calls us to live.

Today we’re going to learn that following Jesus means learning to put others before ourselves. And it starts with God’s mercy.

Because of God’s mercy to us, we live for others, not just ourselves.

God’s Mercy Changes Us

Read Romans 11:30-36

In Romans 11, Paul talks about how God showed mercy to people who didn’t deserve it, and extended grace in order to save them.

Mercy = God holding back what we deserve.

Grace = God giving us what we don’t deserve

While we deserve to be punished for our sins, God shows mercy by not punishing us. Instead of giving us our punishment, He graciously gives us forgiveness through Jesus Christ who took our punishment for us.

With these thoughts in mind, consider Romans 12:1-2.

I appeal to you therefore… - since God is rich in mercy and grace toward you, there is something you ought to do

When you realize how much God has done for you, you should seek to change the way you think.

A New Way to Live

Read Romans 12:3-4

No longer are we to think of ourselves…our wants, our desires, our “freedoms”… but we ought to think of others’ concerns first.

Philippians 2:3–4 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The Apostle Paul expands on the others-minded approach in his letter to the church at Philippi by pointing to Jesus as the ultimate example of humility.

Creator God of all the universe

Worthy of all praise and honor

He gave up what He was deserving to receive in order to:

be born as a baby

serve His creation

perfectly obey the Father

die for our sins

Read Romans 12:9-10

Genuinely…not begrudgingly… love one another

Outdo showing honor to one another

Team sports are a great way to see this play out. A team that is full of talented but selfish players will not win the championship. The best teams are constructed of teammates who seek to elevate one another and to give one another the opportunity to contribute.

At school: seek to include others and be kind to them

At home: help without being asked, or without giving an attitude

With friends: don’t always have to “win” and “be right”

Christianity is not about being the most important person — it’s about serving others.

Love, Even When It’s Hard

Read Romans 12:14–17, 21

Paul says:

Bless those who hurt you

Don’t repay evil with evil

Overcome evil with good

Be kind even when someone is mean. This goes against everything that is natural to us.

Someone insults you → you want to give them a zinger back, make them feel it, too.

Someone excludes you → you want to exclude them from something fun you are doing

Truth: Putting others first doesn’t just apply to friends — it applies to everyone.

Thinking About Others’

Read Romans 14:1-4, 10-13

Paul teaches:

Don’t cause others to stumble

Be willing to give up your preferences for someone else’s good

Sometimes it’s not about what you can do, but what is best for others.

Galatians 5:13 ESV

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Older students, be mindful how your choices impact others:

Social media posts

Language/jokes/innuendos

Choices that influence younger students

Younger students:

Don’t tease one another

Don’t be spiteful towards each other

Be loving like Jesus. Ask, “How will what I say or do affect someone else?”

Jesus Is Our Example

Jesus didn’t live for Himself—He lived for others.

He served

He loved

He gave His life

The greatest act of putting others first was when Jesus gave His life for us.

How Do We Do It?

Ask yourself: “How can I put someone else first today?”

Get to know someone new or that you don’t know very well

Let someone else go ahead of you to snack or recess

Be helpful without being asked (look for the opportunity)

Speak kindly instead of criticizing

Give up something for someone else

Imagine a school where everyone tried to outdo each other in kindness.

That’s what Paul is calling us to — a community where we don’t fight to be first… we choose to serve.

Because God showed us mercy, we don’t live for ourselves—we live for others.