Leadership Refined Servanthood Lesson Five

Every individual has a place to fill in the world, and is important, in some respect, whether he chooses to be so or not. Nathanial Hawthorne

Review What three characteristics are visible in the individual with a servant attitude? 1.They put _____________. 2.They serve others without _____________________. 3.They work well with ________.

What is reflected in your life? To serve means to meet the needs of, or to be of assistance to. The servant is one who meets the needs of others without being asked or expecting something in return. Just as the sun’s powerful rays are reflected in the waters of Lake Huron, so is the character of your heart reflected in your actions. You’ve heard it said many times that actions speak louder than words. What do you reflect?

The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence. This means that when light hits a reflective object the angle of the incoming ray and the angle of the outgoing reflection are the same. In many ways, what you do or give comes back to you in the same way that it was given. As a small group, brainstorm a list of ways that you can be kind or give to someone else secretly. Since the true servant gives without expectation, list ways you can give without anyone knowing who did the giving. Does your life reflect a servant heart? Or do you always have to be in the limelight?

Taking Care of Others Briefing: You’ll need to do this slowly and with caution. Take care of each other. Gather in a circle, with everyone holding onto the rope with two hands and forming it into a near perfect circle. At the count of three, everyone is to slowly lean back on the rope until everyone is leaning back and supporting each other. Try it again only this time see if you can lean back, sit down and stand back up together, while holding onto the rope. Then try a circle where every other person leans IN pushing forward, while the other people lean out pulling back.

1.What did it take for this to work? 2.How did you feel trusting the person next to you? 3.Did anyone think of making sure the person next to them was safe rather than wondering if they were going to be safe? 4.Did you trust the person next to you? 5.How does trust relate to servanthood? 6.Is it easier to take care of someone or to have them take care of you? Why? 7.Is it hard or easy to do things for others? Why? How? Think About It…

Journal #7 In your journal list some things that came out of your group brainstorming session that you could secretly do for others. Decide which things you are going to do. In your journal write down what you are going to do, who you are going to do it for, and then after you’ve done it, document his/her response. Be attentive and notice what is reflected back to you.

Photo by: K.J. Watson – Lake Huron We tire of those pleasures we take, but never of those we give. John Petit-Senn