1. The thought of being a slave or servant can be challenging, especially with this country’s history. It can bring up awful images of violence and mistreatment, so it can be difficult to willingly expose ourselves to exploitation. But throughout the history of our faith, being a willing servant has brought blessings upon blessings for countless people. Do you consider yourself a servant? If you don't, what's holding you back from a commitment to serve others? If you do, in what ways can you grow in how you minister to others?
2. Sometimes we want to skip past being a servant and go straight to being a leader. Whether it’s a desire for power and control, mistrust in another person’s ability to keep us safe, or simply the money and prestige, being a leader certainly appeals to most of us in one way or another. But being a leader in Jesus’ mold often looks different than anything modeled since He went back to sit on His throne. It's putting the wants and needs of those we lead above our own or washing their dirty feet. While Jesus is the best example, we all have likely been able to get up close and personal with someone who does this well. Take some time to think about who that person might have been in your life. What is one habit they would exhibit that you could adopt in your life today?
3. The words we speak over ourselves play an important role in us living out the life God has for us. It’s easy to get stuck speaking words solely about how we feel in the moment. I am tired. I am lonely. I am sick. While we should be honest about where we are, we also need to remember what the Bible says about us. You may be sick now, but you are an overcomer. You may feel lonely now, but you are a child of God. We all have parts of our life we’d like to see growth in. What’s an “I am” statement you can adopt that would help you start to speak faith in that area?