Prepare to Serve God and Others
ECWA Theme for 2026
“Prepare for Service, keep your lamps burning…”
(Luke 12: 35, NIV)
Introduction
Serving God is depicted in the Bible as a calling requiring selfless love, dedication and humility rather than for personal gain. Matthew 20: 28 says, “Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The core of what Jesus is saying is that serving is believer’s life purposes. He tells us in Mk. 8: 35 that, “Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the ‘Good News’ will ever know what it means to really live.” Here, Jesus reminds us that serving is the highest use of man’s time, the highest legacy and only way we can make any meaningful impact with our lives in the world (See: 1 Cor. 15: 58).
We all know, Christ’s victory over death makes having a “New life” and reward for faithful living when we get to heaven possible. This study is aimed to help us know that beyond any willingness to serve God and serve others, serving God is not possible for a reward without a changed life (Gal. 1: 13 - 24; Heb. 6: 10). Ultimately, willingness to serve Christ must correspond to being saved alongside divine inspiration to avoid possible embarrassment considering key events in Acts 19: 13-16; Acts 16: 6 -10 respectively.
In a sense, being unsaved, worldliness, materialism, fear of failure, busyness, lack of faith, greed, selfishness, pride, bitterness, anger, anxiety, resentment, worries and distractions, lack of reverence for God are pitfalls and obstacles to serving God. Often, even believers shrink from service and lose focus on prioritizing God’s calling upon their lives.
Reflecting from our previous study, we took time to consider the stories in Matt. 25: 1-13 and Luke 19: 11-27 as prime examples of “Divine blessings and Missed opportunity” in the hope to warn and remind ourselves to remain watchful and service ready when the Lord comes.
Questions
1. The Apostle Paul following his conversion described his life as a bond-slave to Jesus Christ, he focused entirely on finishing his assigned work to spread theGospel sacrificially through intense suffering and death threats (2 Cor. 11: 16 –33).
A. In your opinion, why do you think Paul feels obligated daily in this way
B. Using Hebrews. 12:2 to help you fix your eyes on Jesus, highlight the triumph of faith over adversity from the story of Esther and Mordecai in Est. 3:2, 5:1-2,7:10. With Luke 22: 50-51, discuss the two events and the theme of each biblical narrative illustrates.
2. According to Colossians 3: 22-25, what is the one reason why work should affect our actions. Discuss the tension of serving that can help and influence our attitude to work and services.
A. In Mark 10: 35-45 and Matt. 20: 20-28, several people make a request. Use 1 Kings 2: 19 and Psalm 110:1 and discuss what they were anticipating from Jesus. Furthermore, explain how the discussion continued regarding God’s kingdom.
B. Galatians 5: 13-15 inform the way to approach freedom and responsibility in Christ. What does York of slavery mean in view of it demands, obligations and negative consequences. How can the church help believers to avoid falling back into the spiritual slavery.
3. Matt 24: 36 - 40 and Lk. 17: 26-35 highlights judgment and the context imply sudden separation between the righteous and the wicked. As a follower of Christ, what services and work would you be doing to demonstrate physical readiness at the return of Christ.
A. Hebrews 6: 10-12 emphasize acts of service and show the purpose of continuing in hard work. How does the text change your attitude and motivate you for service.
B. From Proverbs 19:17 God takes personal responsibility for kindness shown to the poor. How is generosity towards the poor viewed. What can you say from the passage is the highlight regarding serving the poor
4. Romans 12: 9-13 outlines practical markers of genuine Christianity and ferventservice. Reflect on the practical application of the passage in your own life, discuss one thing you do in a way to encourage other believers to want to
emulate you.
A. Which of these instructions in Romans 12: 9-13 is most challenging for you.Why?
B. What does it mean to be fervent in service, and how can one remain fervent and not get weary considering the demand of daily professional life
C. Ephesians 2: 10 states that a believer is God’s workmanship created by God to perform God works. How does this affect your view of your identity. Discuss the works God has prepared us to do, and mention any work that you feel God has prepared you to do.
