Lesson 2: Principles in Serving the Lord

Duration: 60 minutes
Target Audience: Servants and Sunday School Teachers

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, servants will be able to:

1. Define the three essential characteristics of a true servant
2. Understand the progression from personal experience to service
3. Apply the Jerusalem-Judea-Samaria-Ends of Earth model to their ministry
4. Recognize examples of true servants throughout Church history
5. Develop a personal roadmap for spiritual growth in service

Opening Prayer

"Lord Jesus Christ, You who came not to be served but to serve, and to give Your life a ransom for many, teach us the true spirit of service. Grant us to taste the sweetness of life with You, that we may overflow with love for our brethren. Help us to begin with ourselves, to serve in our homes, and to reach out to all who need Your salvation. Through the prayers of Your apostles and all faithful servants throughout the ages, guide us in Your path. Amen."

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Introduction: the Problem of Misguided Service

Three Real Examples

Example A: A seventeen-year-old youth asked the priest to permit him to start teaching Sunday school classes. The priest asked which level he would want to teach. His answer: "I'm ready for any level."

What this reveals: Good intentions, but insufficient understanding of the service of the Lord and the necessary preparations.

Example B: A sixteen-year-old youth told the priest he wants to join the priesthood in a few years. When asked why, he said: "I love the church hymns, the service of the Holy Mass and all other services in the church."

What this reveals: Good intentions, but lack of knowledge that priesthood is not about performing liturgical services—it's about taking responsibility for souls before God.

Example C: One servant told the priest he wants to extend his service. Instead of being a deacon, he wants to be an arch-deacon; instead of being a teacher, he wants to be the administrator of Sunday School.

What this reveals: Service centered on positions and titles rather than humility and salvation of souls.

The Core Problem

These examples reveal a fundamental misunderstanding: The service of the Lord is not about positions but about taking the last place.

It is similar to our Lord's service when He washed the disciples' feet (John 13:1-17). He, the Lord of Glory, took the form of a servant and humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

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Part I: the Three Characteristics of a True Servant

Characteristic #1: the True Servant Has Tasted the Life with Christ and Loved It

"He who lacks something cannot give it."

The Principle:
If a person tries to speak about Christ without having experienced life with Him, he will sound theoretical and will not be fruitful. But if he has experienced contact with Christ and tasted the beauty of living with Him and formed practical knowledge, then the simplest words coming from his heart will have power and effect to reach other hearts.

Biblical Examples:

1. St. Peter the Apostle

Before Pentecost, Peter was impulsive, self-confident, and unreliable:

• He rebuked the Lord (Matthew 16:22)
• He promised to die for Jesus (Matthew 26:35)
• He denied Christ three times before a servant girl (Matthew 26:69-75)
• He wept bitterly, recognizing his love was worthless

After Pentecost, Peter was transformed:

• Filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4)
• Converted 3,000 souls in one sermon (Acts 2:41)
• Spoke with boldness before the Sanhedrin (Acts 4:8-13)
• Worked miracles in Jesus' name (Acts 3:1-10)

What changed? Peter completed his faith, received the power of the Holy Spirit, and experienced true life with Jesus Christ.

2. St. Paul the Apostle

After experiencing life with Christ, Paul declared:

"But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3:8)

Nothing on earth was comparable to his love of Christ. Paul's service was extraordinarily fruitful, as illustrated in the Book of Acts and his Epistles.

3. St. Andrew the Apostle

Andrew called his brother Simon Peter after his true experience of Christ:

"Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples, and looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, 'Behold the Lamb of God!' The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus...One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus." (John 1:35-42)

The Pattern:

1. Andrew heard about Jesus
2. Andrew followed Jesus
3. Andrew stayed with Jesus ("they remained with Him that day")
4. Andrew experienced Jesus personally
5. Andrew could not keep silent
6. Andrew brought others to Jesus

4. St. Philip and Nathanael

"Philip found Nathanael and said to him, 'We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of Joseph.' And Nathanael said to him, 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' Philip said to him, 'Come and see.'" (John 1:45-46)

Notice Philip's response: Not a theological argument, but an invitation to personal experience—"Come and see."

The Essential Truth:

The servant needs first to have a true relationship with Christ. Then he presents the soul he wants to serve to Jesus. At this point, the soul is joined with its Creator, who provides everything and will give salvation and eternal life.

We cannot give what we do not have. We cannot lead others to a Christ we do not personally know. Service flows from relationship, not from duty or ambition.

Practical Application:

• How much time do you spend in personal prayer daily?
• When did you last experience God's presence in a powerful way?
• Can you describe your relationship with Christ in concrete terms?
• Do you read Scripture for yourself, not just to prepare lessons?
• Is your spiritual life deeper than what you show others?

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Characteristic #2: the True Servant's Service Is Generated From Love

"The basis of the service of the Lord is the internal love in the heart. Love is light and the servant's heart must be lit with love."

"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, I am nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Four Dimensions of Love in Service:

A. Love to Christ

The servant loves the Lord Jesus Christ and feels that He has given him a special commandment to take care of his brethren. This is clear when the Lord said to Simon Peter: "Simon...do you love Me? Tend My sheep." (John 21:15-17)

The Lord asked Peter three times about love—matching Peter's three denials. Service is rooted in love for Christ Himself.

B. Love to Brethren

"Everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him" (1 John 5:1)

The servant looks at every person who needs service as being personally recommended by the Lord. He looks at the poor, the bare, the miserable, and those living in sin as valuable souls whom the Lord asked him to care for.

C. Love to Family

True service begins at home. We cannot effectively serve the Church while neglecting our own household. This will be explored further in the Jerusalem-Judea-Samaria model.

D. Love for Heavenly Reward

This is not selfish—it's biblical. The Lord promises:

"Where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor." (John 12:26)

"Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink...Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:34-40)

All true servants had their hearts longing for heaven and served for the sake of building the heavenly kingdom for others as well as for themselves.

Biblical Examples of Love in Service:

1. Our Lord Jesus Christ

"For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth." (John 17:19)

The meaning of "sanctify" here is "designate" or "set apart." This is admirable love from Our Lord Jesus, who designates Himself for our salvation.

From the Liturgy of St. Gregory:

"You did not trust anyone for our salvation, neither an angel, nor an archangel, nor a prophet but You, without change, have been incarnated and took our human form."

"But when He saw the multitude, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd." (Matthew 9:36)

2. Moses the Prophet

When God was angry with Israel and said to Moses:

"Let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation" (Exodus 32:10)

Moses responded with sacrificial love:

"If You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." (Exodus 32:32)

3. St. Paul the Apostle

"I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh." (Romans 9:3)

"My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you" (Galatians 4:19)

"Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown..." (Philippians 4:1)

4. St. John the Apostle

"The elder, to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth." (2 John 1:1)

Coptic Examples from Recent History:

Abba Abra'am, Bishop of Fayoum - Known for love of the poor

Abba Boutros, the Last Martyr - Died in place of his congregation, asking the soldier to kill him behind the prison so his spiritual children would not see him die

Fr. Bishoy Kamel - A true example of love for every soul and building churches for people's salvation

Fr. Michael Ibrahim - An example of loving the believers, carrying their burdens, and leading them to Paradise

Pope Kyrillos VI - Led people's hearts toward heaven through daily masses, abundant prayers, and the sweet smell of incense

Pope Shenouda III - Worked day and night teaching through unlimited sermons and books, building churches, ordaining priests and bishops, building monasteries—all for the salvation of every soul inside and outside Egypt

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Characteristic #3: the True Servant's Aim Is to Attract Souls to Christ for Their Salvation

"What is the aim of the Church? The aim of the church is to attract the hearts of people to Christ, to heaven, then the spirit of life will run in it."

"You who seek God, your hearts shall live" (Psalm 69:32)

The human being receives eternal life from Christ, as the Lord said:

"This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:3)

The Dual Focus:

The servant's aim is to attract souls to heaven without overlooking their position and daily life.

• Serving children is different from serving youth
• Serving the elderly is different from serving the sick and needy
• Each soul has its own position and needs

St. Paul's Ministry:

"For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:2)

"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)

St. John the Baptist - The Perfect Model:

John the Baptist diverted people and drew them toward Christ, not himself. He said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

"Among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist" (Matthew 11:11)

John prepared the way before the Lord with the light of his life, although he did not perform any miracles. The ego disappears in the ministry of the Lord.

Our Lord Jesus Christ drew hearts to the Heavenly Father, although He was in the Father and the Father in Him. Similarly, John's ego disappeared in ministry and he drew hearts toward Jesus Christ.

The Contrast:

Dead souls living in sin:

• Have no spirit or life
• Are not attracted to Heaven
• All concerns are earthly

Living souls in Christ:

"For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (Luke 15:24)

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Part Ii: the Jerusalem-judea-samaria-ends of Earth Model

Biblical Foundation

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

With this organization, the Lord decided on the priorities of ministry so that servants would not be hindered or become fruitless.

Priority 1: Jerusalem - Personal Spiritual Life

Symbolism: Jerusalem, the city of the Great King with its altar, suggests the heart and spiritual life of the person—the altar of the Lord.

Meaning: I should take care of my spiritual life and my eternity first.

Biblical Support:

"Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:16)

Practical Application:

The servant continues service with:

• Constant repentance
• Regular confession
• Receiving Holy Communion
• Personal prayer life
• Spiritual reading
• Fasting according to Church tradition
• Attending Divine Liturgy regularly

The Principle: You cannot give what you do not have. Your spiritual life must be your first priority.

Questions for Self-Examination:

• Do I confess regularly?
• Do I commune frequently?
• Do I pray the Agpeya daily?
• Do I read Scripture for my own soul?
• Am I growing in my relationship with Christ?
• Do I fast the fasts of the Church?

Priority 2: Judea - Family and Immediate Community

Symbolism: The Jews are the nation to whom Christ came, but they rejected Him. Judea represents the ministry of the servant in his own house, with his family and the small community he lives in.

Biblical Support:

"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (1 Timothy 5:8)

"For if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?" (1 Timothy 3:5)

Practical Application:

Service must begin at home:

• Are you a good Christian example to your family?
• Do you pray with your spouse?
• Do you read Scripture with your children?
• Is your home a place of peace or conflict?
• Do your family members see Christ in you?

The Hard Truth:

If your family doesn't see you living Christianity, why would anyone else believe your teaching? Your home is your first parish.

Priority 3: Samaria - Mixed Congregation (strong and Weak)

Symbolism: Samaria was a mixture of Jews and Gentiles, believers and pagans. The testimony in Samaria represents the ministry of the servant among both diligent believers and weaker souls.

Meaning: This is the Sunday School class, the youth meeting, the congregation—where you encounter:

• Committed believers
• Seekers
• Doubters
• Strugglers
• Cultural Christians
• Genuine disciples

Practical Application:

Different people need different approaches:

• The strong need challenge and depth
• The weak need encouragement and support
• The seeking need answers and guidance
• The doubting need patience and dialogue

This is the primary field of Sunday School service.

Priority 4: Ends of the Earth - Evangelism to Non-believers

Symbolism:

"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" (Romans 10:15)

Meaning: Preaching among other religions and those who have no religion.

Practical Application:

• Witness to non-Christian friends and neighbors
• Support mission work
• Apologetics and defense of the faith
• Cross-cultural ministry
• Immigration as missionary opportunity

Important Note:

You cannot skip to "ends of the earth" if you've neglected Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. The order matters.

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Part Iii: Specific Steps in Preparing Youth for Service

The Gradual Path

"The movement from one stage of the service to the other should be very gradual. The servant has to feel unworthy and should totally submit to the will of God."

Remember: A true Christian has to be a servant.

Step 1: Personal Relationship with Christ

The youth must experience the relationship with Christ in their personal life through:

• Continual confession
• Repentance
• Receiving Holy Communion
• Spiritual readings
• Attending church regularly

Without this foundation, all other steps are meaningless.

Step 2: Start with Simple Jobs

Youth should not hasten to teaching or controlling positions in the church. Instead, they may serve in:

• Social activities
• Library management
• Taking care of the church building
• Cleaning sacred vessels
• If blessed to be a deacon: Enjoy the beauty of hymns and service in self-denial

The Principle: Learn to serve before you lead. Learn to follow before you teach.

Step 3: Personal Holiness

A youth should always be careful of his salvation and should behave properly among:

• Family
• Friends at school or work
• The broader community

Your life is your sermon. People will not listen to your words if they contradict your life.

Step 4: Evolve in Love

Then the youth will evolve in love, disregarding ego and love of self, and start serving:

• The sick
• The disabled
• The needy
• The marginalized
• Those whom society overlooks

This develops compassion and Christlike love.

Step 5: Gradual Teaching Responsibilities

A youth will gradually start, according to the Lord's gift, teaching:

• A small class of Sunday School (young children)
• Then a larger class (if God permits)
• Then youth service
• Then other services

Key Principle: Gradual progression based on spiritual maturity, not age or ambition.

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Part Iv: the Power of the Holy Spirit in Service

Service Must Be Filled with Spirit and Power

The Apostles did not serve except after they received the Holy Spirit, as the Lord said:

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me..." (Acts 1:8)

Examples:

"And with great power the Apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all." (Acts 4:33)

About St. Stephen:

"Full of faith and power" (Acts 6:8)

"And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke." (Acts 6:10)

The Nature of Spiritual Service:

Service is powerful because it comes from the Spirit:

"For the word of God is living and powerful" (Hebrews 4:12)

Before Pentecost:

• Fearful disciples
• Locked doors
• No boldness
• No miracles
• Ineffective witness

After Pentecost:

• Boldness in preaching
• Signs and wonders
• Thousands converted
• Persecution endured joyfully
• World transformed

The Lesson: Never attempt ministry without prayer and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

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Conclusion: the Heart of True Service

True service requires:

1. Personal experience of Christ - You cannot give what you do not have
2. Love as motivation - Not duty, not ambition, but love
3. Focus on salvation - The goal is souls reaching heaven
4. Proper priorities - Jerusalem → Judea → Samaria → Ends of Earth
5. Gradual preparation - Patient development of character and gifts
6. Holy Spirit's power - Human effort fails without divine empowerment
7. Humility and unworthiness - Taking the last place, like Christ washing feet

The Ultimate Model: Our Lord Jesus Christ who came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

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Reflection Questions

1. Have you truly tasted life with Christ and loved it? How would you describe your personal relationship with Him?

2. What motivates your service? Honestly examine your heart: Is it love, duty, recognition, or something else?

3. Are you following the Jerusalem-Judea-Samaria-Ends of Earth order? Which area have you neglected?

4. If you're young, are you rushing into positions you're not spiritually ready for?

5. What does it mean practically for you to "decrease" so Christ can "increase" in your ministry?

6. Do you depend on the Holy Spirit's power, or do you rely on your own abilities?

7. Who are the true servants in your life that model these principles? What can you learn from them?

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Practical Application

This Week:

• Spend 30 minutes in honest prayer examining your service motivations
• Identify one area where you've skipped ahead in the Jerusalem-Judea-Samaria order
• Take one concrete step to strengthen your "Jerusalem" (personal spiritual life)

This Month:

• Read one biography of a Church Father or recent saint who exemplified true service
• Ask a mature servant to mentor you
• Serve in one "behind the scenes" way that no one will notice

This Year:

• Develop a systematic prayer life
• Establish regular confession pattern
• Find ways to serve your family better
• Look for one opportunity to serve "ends of the earth"

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Closing Prayer

"Lord Jesus Christ, Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, teach us Your humility. You who washed the feet of Your disciples, grant us the spirit of true service. Purify our motivations, deepen our love, and empower us by Your Holy Spirit. May we decrease that You might increase. Through the prayers of St. Peter who learned to love You truly, St. Paul who counted all as loss for You, and St. John the Baptist who prepared Your way, make us faithful servants. Glory to You forever. Amen."

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Memory Verse

"He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30)

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