Deacons + A Culture of Serving

Monday: Genesis 33
Tuesday: Acts 24, Revelation 4
Wednesday: Genesis 34-35
Thursday: Revelation 5-6
Friday: Genesis 36, Psalm 131
Saturday: Psalm 132-133
Sunday: 1 Timothy 3:14-16

Key Passage: 1 Timothy 3:8-13

διάκονος: one who executes the commands of another -  a servant, attendant, minister.

Jesus as a servant
Matthew 20:25-28

Paul as a servant
Ephesians 3:7
1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Paul’s coworkers as servants

• Deacons at Philippi - Philippians 1:1
• Phoebe - Romans 16:1-2
• Tychicus - Ephesians 6:21
• Epaphras - Colossians 1:7

Phoebe - Romans 16:1-2
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant (diakonos) of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

• Sister
• Servant
• Patron/Benefactor

1. Re-read Matthew 20:25-28 and the description Jesus gives of his call to serve and his followers call to serve.  Where have you seen examples of this?  Where have you seen examples of the contrast of this - “lording over”?
2. Consider the example from the church of Jerusalem in Acts 6.  When people are not serving in the right places, areas of ministry can be neglected.  Is there a need that you see in the body that is being neglected?  Who could you share this with?  Do you believe you are part of the solution to this need or you know someone who could be?  

3DQ - 3 Discipleship questions to ask each other:  What is God saying to you?  What are you going to do about it?  How can I help?