Service is central to the story of Scripture. This series focuses on stories in scripture which teach us about service, and is particularly designed to be used over the course of a servant event or mission trip. Each of these devotions and Bible studies seeks to demonstrate this truth while focusing on an element of story and an aspect of service. Each devotion and Bible study are designed to be paired together. A leader guide and participant guide are available for each.

The devotions provide a thematic introduction focusing on “The Story of All Things,” a theme that will be familiar for young people who attended the 2022 LCMS Youth Gathering. The remaining Bible studies dig further into these themes by focusing on a “servant story” found in Scripture. Leaders and participants will notice that each devotion and study also include the same pattern.

This series includes:

  • Pre-Event Devotion and Study: The Story of All Things – Mary and Martha
  • Devotion and Study 1: Serving as Seeing – The Good Samaritan
  • Devotion and Study 2: Purposeful Movement – Ruth
  • Devotion and Study 3: Together in God’s Story – David and Jonathan
  • Devotion and Study 4: Conflict and Restoration – Peter
  • Devotion and Study 5: The Hero – Jesus Reigns

Download the Leader Guide Here.

Download the Participant Guide Here.

These resources were written with the underlying belief that servanthood is based, primarily, upon the relationship individuals have with their Lord Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Oswald Chambers writes, “We consider what we do in the way of Christian work as service, yet Jesus Christ calls service to be what we are to him, not what we do for him.”1 As we engage in acts of service, relationships among one another as well as with those we have been called to serve may also be nurtured and grow.

In leading these studies, it is important to lay the foundation that Christ redeems all of our earthly servant stories. No matter how hard we try, we will fail to live in accord with God’s Word. Jesus comes to us to live the perfect life and rewrite our wrongs through His death and resurrection. A key element in living out and maintaining our faith and having healthy Christ-like relationships with one another is daily confession and the blessing of receiving Christ’s forgiveness in Word and Sacrament. Christ serves us, so we can serve one another.

It is my prayer that through these devotions and studies, servants would be motivated to carry on their acts of ministry by reflecting upon noble servants in Holy Scripture
and making God’s story their story. May each encourage us to make our service a reflection of the Master Servant, Jesus the Christ.