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The Bridge Church

Jesus Encounters - The Request

Jesus Encounters - The Request

May 12, 2024

Locations & Times

Englewood SKY Academy

871 S River Rd, Englewood, FL 34223, USA

Sunday 9:00 AM

Sunday 10:30 AM

1. Significance is found by service, not status
2. The greatest leaders seek to serve, not be served
3. Serving God makes an eternal difference
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:

I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time.
https://thebridgevenice.churchcenter.com/people/forms/500390

I need to be baptized.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism

I need to attend Starting Point.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point

I need to join a serve team.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve

I need to join a small group.
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups
Dig Deeper:
1. What has been one of your favorite Jesus encounters so far with this sermon? Why?
2. Is there a favorite Jesus encounter you have from the Bible that we haven’t covered in this series? If so, which one?
3. Read Matthew 20:20. How does the mother approach Jesus? What does this convey about her attitude towards Jesus?
4. Read Matthew 20:21. What is she asking in this moment? What is she hoping to hear as a response? Do you think she understood the magnitude of what she was requesting? Why?
5. If you had the opportunity to present your child to Jesus, asking for something, would you have the same response? Why or why not?
6. Read Matthew 20:22. How did the sons respond to Jesus? Do you think they understood what Jesus was asking? Why?
7. Read Matthew 20:23. How are Jesus’s words foretelling the future of James and John? What does it mean that they will “drink my cup”?
8. Read Matthew 20:24. What does indignant mean? Why do the disciples react in this way? What might have been going through their minds in this moment?
9. Read Matthew 20:25-28. Summarize what Jesus is sharing with them.
10. What were the disciples used to seeing in leadership? What is Jesus asking of them instead?
11. What do you think was their initial reaction to Jesus’s response? Over time, how could they come to understand it?
12. Describe a time when you’ve seen someone lead by serving someone else. What did it look like? How was it received?
13. Is our culture any different from the time from this encounter, regarding how leaders lead? Discuss why or why not.
14. Reread Matthew 20:26. What is Jesus asking of his disciples in their day to day lives? Why would this challenge them? How does this challenge us?
15. Read Luke 22:27. Imagine Jesus as your waiter at a restaurant or someone who serves you in your everyday life. Would you treat that person differently? Why?
16. Read Philippians 2:3-4. Reflect on this passage and be willing to respond honestly to yourself and/or others. How often do you look to the interest of others?
17. In what ways can we look to the interest of others and not our own? What might this look like day to day?
18. Discuss this statement: We cannot grow spiritually without serving and we cannot serve without growing.
19. Read Philippians 2:5-11. How does serving others ultimately serve God? How does serving others make an eternal difference?
20. What are some things you learned about Jesus through this encounter? What are some things you learned about yourself?

Live It Out:

To see transformation in our relationships, we need a servant’s heart. This week, identify at least one relationship where you can serve that person wholeheartedly, not because they deserve it or ask for it but because, when doing so, we share and show the love of Jesus.

When you serve that person, or people, without expectation this week, observe what happens. Look for even more opportunities to serve others in this way.
Reading Plan:
Monday: Matthew 20:20-21
Tuesday: Matthew 20:22-24
Wednesday: Matthew 20:25-28
Thursday: Luke 22:24-30
Friday: Philippians 2:3-4
Saturday: Philippians 2:5-11