This book looks at the gospel of Jesus and the example of Jesus to motivate us to serve our church family sacrificially with our energy, time and gifts.
This is a great book for Christians who have grown weary over time, those who need help in identifying their gifts and gaining the confidence to offer them, and church members who are lacking the motivation to get started.
As we look to the example of Jesus, who âcame not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for manyâ (Mark 10:45), we will be excited and equipped to use what God has given us to ...serve others with a renewed sense of purpose and joy. We will also see that we do not need to have any particularly impressive gifts or emulate anyone else in order to answer Jesusâ call to love one another.
There are discussion questions at the end of every chapter with action steps, making it ideal to read as a small group or even a whole church. Accompanying free downloads are available that can be used for small groups. There are downloadable worksheets, a PDF version of the book's discussion guide, introductory videos for each chapter and more.
This book is part of the Love Your Church series, a collection of thoughtful and practical books that will inspire every church member with a biblical vision of what it means to be a local community of Godâs family. Church members can explore together what it means to belong, to welcome, to gather, to care, to serve and to honour one another, and to witness and send people out to spread the gospel.
(Review written for 'Serve')
This is a short, easy-to-read, yet challenging and thought-provoking book. It aims to encourage believers to consider Jesus' example as they serve the church. This theology of Jesus as a servant underpins our service. The book contains relevant and helpful examples of real-life serving and some of the struggles within this.I loved the personal nature of this book, which I listened to as an audiobook. However, given the personal nature of the book, I was disappointed not to hear Steve's own voice doing the narration. It felt strange and unexpected to hear his words spoken with a middle English accent. ...I so prefer it when authors do their own narration, and would love to hear more variety of accent when listening to Christian audiobooks
(Review written for 'Serve')
Steve writes with honesty and humility, encouraging the saints to serve wholeheartedly, despite circumstances or weaknesses. He begins by detailing who we serve (God, the church, the world) and why we serve (because weâre called to) before spending a few chapters discussing what service looks like for Christians.
Steve reminds us that the gospel enables us to serve the Lord despite our weaknesses, pointing out that service isnât about us at all, though we often make it out to be. ...God grants us gifts according to His grace to be used in the time and place Heâs put us. We can truly serve without hesitation because itâs the Spirit within us that empowers us to serve in the first place.
This is a well-written book, full of Scriptural support, and includes additional helpful resources. Each chapter ends with âaction stepsâ so that you can begin to put into action what youâve read. I also really like the discussion questions at the end of the book. This would make a great book to go through with a small group. Thereâs even a free kit you can download that can help you with that.
Favorite quotes:
Pg32 âAs Christians, the âwhyâ of our serving canât be a less (and neednât be any more) thanâŚJesusâbecause, if it is, when the circumstances of our lives or the conditions of our service change, we will walk awayâeither literally or emotionally.â
Pg49 âFaithful service to God will bring sufferingâbe it the suffering of persecution or the more ordinary costliness of service that takes us out of our comfort zone or demands our time when weâre tired or asks us to do something we donât naturally enjoy.â
Pg58 âYou are not defined by what you do or do not bring to the table; you are defined by the fact that the one who created you and has your days within his hands has invited you to the table because of his Son, Jesus.â
Pg104 âGod does not ask us to do what he does not equip us to do. And he does not ask us to go where he will not go with us.â
(Review written for 'Serve')
Being in a season where I have taken on a greater responsibility in ministry, this book was timely and refreshing as it encouraged my heart and set my eyes on Jesus, who is âour great example of a true servant of othersâ and reminded me that âwhat sustained [him]âa love for his Father, his people and his worldâis what will sustain us too.â
I believe this book is a must-read for the new believer, an encouraging read for the weary ...believer, and a solid read for a group of believers growing together through discipleship.
Thank you, The Good Book Company, for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
