Meeting Plans

Thinking of others is a thought pattern that seems to be less and less prevalent. Amongst our youth, the creed ‘Look after Number One' is king. Modern stars are increasingly ruthless in their dealings, and openly speak about it. No longer do football stars, or TV personalities feel that they have to remain loyal to a team or station. If there is more money elsewhere, they are happy to chase the money.

Our demands are ever greater. We want our supermarkets to serve us 24 hours a day 365 days a year. We want our fast food brought to us quicker, hotter and cheaper, at a higher level of quality. We want the councils to charge us less and stop crime, provide buses and solve the transport issues. We demand more and more, yet so often are actually prepared to do less and less.

To demand is popular. To serve is unheard of. To be an individual who puts themselves out for the sake of others and counts themselves as the least, rather than demanding more and appearing greater, is to be an individual who receives stares of wonder and runs the risk of being outcast.

This though, is not a new phenomenon. Jesus lived in a culture that was very similar. To openly wash the feet of his friends was more ghastly than you or I cleaning the toilets of our local nightclub. To provide food, love and attention for the poor was scandalous, and to humble Himself and appear as a servant was a divine moment of fantastic grace. As He served, He too received jeers and stares, He too had scorn poured on Him and suffered embarrassment.

If our Lord placed such a high level of importance on sacrificial servanthood, then so too should we.

Some of the most famous stories that best describe the character of Jesus involve Him serving others. Washing His disciples' feet. Providing and giving food to a crowd of over 5000. Making and pouring out wine for the guests of a wedding. Working throughout the day and late into the night to heal the hurts and pains of whole towns and villages. Baking breakfast on the lakeside for shell-shocked and exhausted fishermen. Walking for days to raise the dead brother of friends.

To serve was, for Jesus, to demonstrate the extraordinary nature of His kingdom. He was not a king demanding pious worship and unreasonable living. He was a king who forsook the throne in favour of the washing-up cloth. For us to serve is to demonstrate the nature of His kingdom. To show that the poor and the lonely, the rich and successful, the ill and the outcast, refugees, homeless, single mums, Aids victims, gays, blacks, whites, politicians and racists are all loved by God. They may not know it, and we may not like it, but its truth is remarkable.

By serving people sacrificially, we follow our master and show those we serve, the love of Jesus. Were He to be walking around our town today, He would be serving them. In his absence, we are to do the same.

If we could raise a young generation of servants who, in the power of the Spirit and for the glory of the Lord, go and serve those who need it, what extraordinary things could happen. People would be changed as the grace of God was ushered into their lives by an army of humble servants.

The aim of this session is to excite our young people about serving. It aims to paint it as radical and transformational. The emphasis is on doing it for God, not for personal praise. It is almost subversive; an underground youth group which longs to further the kingdom for the Lord by showing His grace in practical ways by serving at every opportunity.

Use this session to motivate the young people to serve, and to thank those who serve us. Use it as an opportunity to actually do something practical. Get involved in serving together and experience the joy of doing it, and being an underground servant!

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