I Was Made To Serve

Host

Have you ever seen servers at a restaurant carry a large tray of plates?

Co-host

They make it look easy, but it’s not. Carrying all those dinners without dropping them takes some skill and strength.

Host

I’m not sure I could keep my balance. We’re going to see if these kids can. We have two teams of kids who will attempt to build a tower of cups on their serving tray. You have 60 seconds to stack as many cups as possible on the tray.

Co-host

You don’t have to use all of your cups. You may even want to use less because after the 60 seconds is over, you will have to carry the tray from the starting cone to the end. Whoever ends up with the most cups standing on their tray wins.

Co-host

Congratulations to our winning team! Watching that game definitely makes me think twice about being a server.

Host

Maybe a server in a restaurant, but did you know that we were all created to serve God by helping others? That’s true of everyone.

Co-host

Even if you’re not great at carrying a tray, I promise that God has given you the ability to do something important.

Host

Let’s see what's going on in the lab, but first tell someone nearby your favorite restaurant to visit.

Host

Is anyone surprised that Hans Von Striker cheated to win the contest? Me neither. What do you think he’ll do with the chicken wing victory?

Co-host

I doubt he’ll use that honor to help anyone. Hans is not known for looking out for others.

 Host

I hope we could be known for that in our school or neighborhood. Think about the difference we could make if people knew they could count on our help.

Co-host

Let’s see what our Big Point says.

Host

You take the lead as we count down from three and then read the Big Point.

Co-host

Let’s all say it together, I Was Made To Serve! God didn’t create us to consume as much as possible for ourselves. We have a greater purpose than that.

Host

We were created to serve or help others. That means we’re not just looking out for what we want or what we need. A servant is a person who thinks about others and is willing to help someone even if it’s not easy.

Co-host

Of course, Jesus is the greatest example of what a servant looks like. Jesus deserved to be served by everyone, but instead of coming with that attitude, Jesus chose to be a servant to others.

Host

There’s a story in the Bible where Jesus did the job of a servant because no one else wanted to do the job. Everyone thought they were too good to do it, so Jesus got down and washed his disciples' dirty, stinky feet. That’s what being a servant looks like.

Co-host

Let’s play a game with our feet and some washcloths. We have chosen two teams of kids. When we say go, the first teammate will hold a washcloth on his/her foot. Using just your foot, transfer the washcloth to your teammate, who must catch it with his/her foot.

Host

Keep passing it down, foot to foot, until you dump it in the bucket. If you drop the cloth, leave it and keep passing the next one. You will have 60 seconds!

Host

Great job! You know, serving can actually be a lot of fun. Let’s see what Hans Von Striker chooses to do.

Host

We guessed correctly. Hans Von Striker totally let this Chicken Wing King thing go to his head.

Co-host

Yeah, he has no intention of serving anyone. He only seems to care about being served.

Host

That’s not what we learned in our Big Point

Host

I Was Made To Serve! We need an assistant to help us reveal the Big Verse.

Co-host

Shout it out as we count down from three, and then you can read the verse.

Co-host

The Big Verse comes from Mark 10:43 (NIrV), “Instead, anyone who wants to be important among you must be your servant.”

Host

It’s easy to wonder what you would do if you were in charge. When they become leaders, some people choose to get the most for themselves. That’s the opposite of what Jesus teaches.

Co-host

Let’s look at some leadership positions, and we want you to tell us how you could use that position to serve others.

Host

If you want to do great things for God, you must begin with a heart willing to serve. God doesn’t choose people to be leaders so they can only think about themselves.

Co-host

Choosing to serve is an attitude that God loves. In just a moment, we’re going to learn about a woman who was given an important decision. Let’s hear what she did. First, stand and let’s worship God.

Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes. You aren’t going to always feel like serving others, especially if it’s someone who doesn’t like you. But that’s exactly what God asks us to do. Greatness isn’t about us being the top dog. Greatness is about giving us the opportunity to make things better for someone else. Greatness isn’t for us but for the people around us. We become great in order to help others. Let’s take a moment to ask God to show us one person we could do something for. Go ahead. (Pause) If you thought of someone, give me a thumbs up. Now, with heads bowed, and eyes closed, ask God to put you in the right place at the right time in order to be able to help that person, just like He did with Esther. (Pause) That might mean being in the lunch line at the right time or sitting in the right seat on the bus. God has made you for greatness to serve others. I’d like to pray for you guys now. (Pray)

Co-host

Let’s say the Big Point again,

Co-host

I Was Made To Serve!

Host

It might have been tempting to take it easy as the queen of the largest empire in the world, but Esther chose instead to serve. Because of that choice, so many lives were saved.

Co-host

You can make a difference, too, when you choose to serve. You can tell your family about Esther when you do this week’s Big Do.

Host

Do one thing to serve someone in your family this week.

Co-host

Let’s think of ways to serve our family this week.

Host

Let’s gather with our Small Groups and discuss what we’ve learned today.

• Share a time when you gave up something you wanted to do in order to help someone else.

• What did Jesus say a leader should do: serve or be served? serve Why should leaders serve others instead of thinking only of themselves? We should follow Jesus’ example. Leaders are there to help people. We show people Jesus’ love when we serve them.

• How did Esther serve others? By speaking up to the king Why was it dangerous for her to serve? The king could have killed her What happened because of Esther’s choice?

• What is the Big Do? Do one thing to serve someone in your family this week