Serving God in Practical Ways

Anchor command. “Treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” Matthew 7:12

Anchor story. A Good Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37

Anchor verse. “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31

Learning goal. Find how practical Scripture is when dealing with our duties.

Growth goal. Develop a strong desire to serve others out of love.

Skill goal. Discern others’ needs that you can meet, and do so wisely.

Outcome goal. Believers lovingly serve others daily.

Dear God, there are people all around us that need help. Give us the discernment to know whom to serve and how to do it effectively in a practical way.

Basic Study

Learn from the story of the Good Samaritan. Luke 10:25-37…

· Jesus told the story of a caring Samaritan in answer to a lawyer’s question. What had the lawyer asked him? Verse 25

· What was the lawyer’s reply, that sums up the Old Testament Law: 27

· After Jesus agreed with the lawyer that he must love his neighbor, what did the lawyer ask? 28-29

· What happened to the Jewish traveler on the road? 30

· What two people passed by the injured man without helping him? 31-31

· What did the Samaritan do for the injured man? 33-35
Note: Generally, Jews and Samaritans despised each other.

· What does it mean to be a true neighbor? 36-37

A despised Samaritan treated an injured stranger as a neighbor.

During the week.

· Help the needy: let your people mention neighbours and friends who need help,
and say what they would like to do.

· Have believers decide who will work together and when. Make definite plans.

During worship.

· Tell the story of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37, and ask the questions above.
Let people discuss the answers.

· Ask the children to present what they have prepared.

· Memorize 1 John 3:17-18.

Advanced Study

1. Serve the sick, the suffering and the oppressed.

· Why are so many people poor and have troubles?

One reason that so many folk remain poor and have troubles, is that evil spirits whisper lies to them. If people want to sin, then they will believe these lies.

Evil spirits want us to be greedy, immoral and dishonest. But Jesus can free people from these sins and lies. He can change our hearts and make us into people who have new desires and who do not want to sin.

· Ask the Lord to give you and your flock strong love for the needy—love that yields helpful actions

· Find in Luke 10:25-37 how the caring Samaritan showed practical love.

 [Answers: the Samaritan showed practical love by caring for the injured traveller. Jesus promises eternal life to believers who practice their faith this way.]

What did Jesus promise those who do the same as the caring Samarian?

[Answer: Compare Luke 10:25 with verse 37.]

2. Plan with your co-workers activities that your people will do next week.

Write your plan on paper, and announce it to the congregation at the next worship meeting. Make your plan specific. Find the neediest people, then serve them as Galatians 6:10 says: “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

God gives us many ways in which to serve those in need.

3. Plan with co-workers the upcoming worship time.

· Pray during worship for people in painful need in the community.

· Praise God for spiritual victories.
Ask for testimonies and reports of work done last week.

· Additional options to apply God’s Word:

Option 1.  The Good Samaritan.
Let adults and children act out together the story from Luke 10:25-37. Younger ones can do the part of the thieves who attack the traveller. Let an adult man be the donkey.

Option 2.  Mr. Tradition.
Let someone play the part of “Mr. Tradition.” Ask him if he agrees with the Samaritan. He argues that we ought to spend all our time winning souls for Jesus, and not waste time doing social work. Ask the people to answer him. If they are shy, then correct him yourself, in your own words, by explaining what Jesus told us to do.

Option 3.  The sheep and the goats.
Dramatize the parable of the sheep and the goats, found in Matthew 25:31-46.

Narrator (adult):      Read the parts that are not spoken by the King, sheep or goats.

King (adult):               Read, or say by memory, the words of the King.

Sheep (children).     A child reads or speaks from memory the words of the sheep.

Goats (children).      A child reads or speaks from memory the words of the goats.

Option 4. Refute Satan's threats.
You may choose two persons to read or recite this poem:

Speaker # 1, with jeering voice:

The demons like to stir up envy.

Such bitterness! How men complain!

Men grasp with greedy hands for money.

And sell their souls for selfish gain.

Speaker # 2, with joyful, determined voice:

Let demons fit their flaming arrow,

Of ‘jealousy’ upon their bow.

Our armour’s firm and will not crack.

Our faith withstands the harshest blow!

Everyone must heed his good conscience over his bad temptations.

· Announce activities that you and your co-workers have planned to do during the week.

· In groups of 2 or 3, pray, confirm the plans and encourage one another.

· Invite all to examine their heart, to confess their sins and celebrate the Lord’s Supper. To introduce Communion, you or a helper might read 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, and explain that we partake in Christ’s body.

The Word of God became flesh and lived among us. He was born in Bethlehem, where Boaz once cultivated barley. ‘Bethlehem’ means ‘house of bread.’ It was where Jesus became flesh and blood, so he could become the Bread of Life for us.

· Those who teach children should read study #73 for children.