1 Peter 4:7-11

• This week we are taking a week off from the book of Numbers to celebrate all the ways that people serve one another and work together for God's glory at NVBC.

  • How have you served others at NVBC this year (either in an official role, or informally)?

    • What did you find most meaningful or fulfilling?

  • How have you been served by others this year?

    • What are you particularly thankful for?

Read 1 Peter 4:7-11

• Read through this list together. How does each thing connect with and underpin our service of God and one another?

  • The nearness of "the end of all things"

  • Alert prayer

  • Deep love

  • Forgiveness

  • Hospitality

  • God's grace

  • God's strength

  • God's glory

• What are some other reasons for serving at church that we might have sometimes? (Feel free to share both the good and the bad!)

  • What consequences have you noticed from working out of the more questionable reasons for serving? (Don't be too specific if it's not your story to share - don't name names if it’s something you noticed in someone else!)

• How do you align your heart with God's love and God's strengthening as you seek to serve one another? Share your ideas with one another about how to do this more before and during times of serving one another.

• If you're not currently serving (or not very much), what do you think you could do to grow in this area of living for God together?

• What if you don’t have the time or capacity in this season of your life? When do you think it's appropriate to do less and take more care of yourself?

  • How do you discern between the wisdom to humbly say, “not right now,” and to work against feelings of selfishness or even laziness?

Spend some time praying and thanking God for the ways you’ve served and been served - for how he’s equipped and empowered you to serve, and the way he’s blessed you with the service of others.

Then, ask Him to show you new ways that he might want you to grow in service of God and others, whether at NVBC or elsewhere.