1. F ITLY F RAMED Session #7 Serving With Love This series was written by the General Home Missions Director, Rev. Carlton L. Coon, Sr.

2. B IBLE P ERSPECTIVE Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; {20} And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; {21} In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: {22} In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephesians 2:19 22

3. R EVIEW OF P AST L ESSONS Why we are to serve: to glorify God and edify others. How we are to serve: according to our passion, motivational gifts, and temperament. Motivational gifts are to be used in interdependent relationships within the body of Christ. We discussed the motivational gifts found in Romans, identified the gifts in action, and learned that gifts are affirmed by the body of Christ.

4. O VERVIEW OF S ESSION 7 Tonight we are going to explore the concept of serving with love, which is essential to the first concept we taught on serving interdependently. We will do this by looking at the results of serving without love, identifying the differences between servility and servanthood, and applying the principles of servanthood to actual ministry situations.

5. S ERVING W ITH L OVE I Corinthians 12 concludes with the words: And now I will show you the most excellent way (I Cor. 12:31) I Corinthians 12 lays the theological foundation for ministry because it deals with how God designed the church to function as the body of Christ.

6. I C ORINTHIANS 13 I Corinthians 13 is often referred to as the Love Chapter. I Corinthians 13 is written in the context of ministry, not marriage. Love is presented as the context in which we are to serve one another. It could be said like this: serving in any way is good, but serving with love is more excellent.

7. K INGDOM I MPACT ? Motivational gifts expressed without love do not reflect who God is and do not have a KINGDOM IMPACT. The love that God is talking about here is the agape kind of love. Its the selfless kind of love that seeks the others best interest.

8. I C ORINTHIANS 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

9. M OTIVATED T O S ERVE Lets look at our motivation for serving. Are you motivated to serve out of servanthood or servility? We are to serve with love. Servility: serving without love (duty) Servanthood: serving with love (desire) Jesus makes an interesting statement in Matthew 5:16: In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise [glorify] your Father in heaven.

10. S ERVILITY VS S ERVANTHOOD Using your student handouts, fill in the blanks as we discuss the differences between servility and servanthoood.

11. V ISIBLE S ERVANTHOOD Jesus said, By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:35). Visible servanthood is a testimony to the reality and presence of God. What does love have to do with it? EVERYTHING!

12. H UDDLE G ROUPS Form a huddle group with three other people: 1. Each person discusses one aspect of servanthood (serving with love) that you would like to concentrate on. 2. Identify one practical step you can take toward it.

13. S ESSION S UMMARY We learned the results of serving without love, and discovered that there is no kingdom impact. We identified the differences between servility and servanthood. And finally, we applied the principles of servanthood to an actual ministry situation, and identified one aspect of servanthood to concentrate on and a practical step to take toward it.