John 12:9-16, 13:1-17
This month is all about humility, putting others first by giving up what you think you deserve. We feel like having things our way, all the time! But Jesus tells us to do the opposite. We need to serve others before serving ourselves. To serve simply means to pay attention to the people around you and find ways to help.
Write out the words Jesus gave to his followers from today’s verse in big block letters on a piece of paper. Decorate the page any way you’d like. Then cut the paper apart into four or five large pieces to create a puzzle. Shuffle the pieces into a stack. Ask a younger sibling or friend to put the puzzle together. Then read the verse aloud and tell them what it means to you.
Jesus gathered His friends for their last supper and showed them how to serve by getting down on his hands and knees to wash their dirty feet. This act of service, something usually done by the lowest ranking servant in a home, painted a picture of how He wanted them to treat others. Jesus knew that in just a few hours, he would be arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. Right up until the very end of his time on earth, Jesus chose to serve. And by doing so, He set an example for His disciples and for all of us.
So how can YOU serve? In the space below, write down the names of three people you see most every day. Next to each name, write one way you can serve them this week. Then pray and ask Jesus to help you serve just as He served, with a good attitude and a willingness to put others first.
Jesus came to give us a forever relationship with God. He didn’t wait for you to stop messing up or get your act together. He chose to love and forgive us. Jesus humbled himself so that we can be forgiven. Putting others first is a way to show Jesus how grateful we are for all He’s done.
Memorize This!
Write down each word from Romans 5:8 on separate scraps of paper. Lay them out in order and say the verse aloud. Remove two cards and repeat the verse. Continue in the same way, removing two cards each round, until you can say the verse from memory.
No one loves you more than Jesus loves you. He proved His love for you on the cross. You don’t have to earn His love. And once you accept His love, you cannot lose it. Understanding just how much you are loved should lead you to love the people around you. Following Jesus means we love others like He loves us.
When you choose humility, you choose to lay down or give up what you want. That could look
like…
-Letting someone else pick the movie or TV
show you watch.
-Holding the door to let a friend walk through
first.
-Standing back so that others can get the first
choice.
-Listening instead of interrupting.
This week, look for opportunities to lay down your life – to put others first – just as Jesus put you first.
As your kid starts their day, find a way to do something extra special one morning this week (special breakfast, a note in the school bag, etc.).
At a meal, have everyone at the table respond to this: “Tell us about a time when you or someone else put others first.”
While on the go, make a game of how many places you can let someone in front of you— either in traffic or in line for the bus, in the drive-thru, or in the grocery check-out line.
Pray for each other: “Jesus, help us to love other people the way You love us. Help us to sometimes say ‘no’ to things we want to do and say ‘yes’ to the things others need.”