This book looks at the gospel of Jesus and the example of Jesus to motivate us to serve our church family sacrificially with our energy, time, and gifts.
This is a great book for Christians who have grown weary over time, those who need help in identifying their gifts and gaining the confidence to offer them, and church members who are lacking the motivation to get started.
As we look to the example of Jesus, who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45), we will be excited and equipped to use what God has given us to ...serve others with a renewed sense of purpose and joy. We will also see that we do not need to have any particularly impressive gifts or emulate anyone else in order to answer Jesus’ call to love one another.
There are discussion questions at the end of every chapter with action steps, making it ideal to read as a small group or even a whole church. Accompanying free downloads are available that can be used for small groups. There are downloadable worksheets, a PDF version of the book's discussion guide, introductory videos for each chapter, and more.
This book is part of the Love Your Church series, a collection of thoughtful and practical books that will inspire every church member with a biblical vision of what it means to be a local community of God’s family. Church members can explore together what it means to belong, to welcome, to gather, to care, to serve and to honor one another, and to witness and send people out to spread the gospel.
(Review written for 'Serve')
Steve writes with honesty and humility, encouraging the saints to serve wholeheartedly, despite circumstances or weaknesses. He begins by detailing who we serve (God, the church, the world) and why we serve (because we’re called to) before spending a few chapters discussing what service looks like for Christians.
Steve reminds us that the gospel enables us to serve the Lord despite our weaknesses, pointing out that service isn’t about us at all, though we often make it out to be. ...God grants us gifts according to His grace to be used in the time and place He’s put us. We can truly serve without hesitation because it’s the Spirit within us that empowers us to serve in the first place.
This is a well-written book, full of Scriptural support, and includes additional helpful resources. Each chapter ends with “action steps” so that you can begin to put into action what you’ve read. I also really like the discussion questions at the end of the book. This would make a great book to go through with a small group. There’s even a free kit you can download that can help you with that.
Favorite quotes:
Pg32 “As Christians, the “why” of our serving can’t be a less (and needn’t be any more) than…Jesus—because, if it is, when the circumstances of our lives or the conditions of our service change, we will walk away—either literally or emotionally.”
Pg49 “Faithful service to God will bring suffering—be it the suffering of persecution or the more ordinary costliness of service that takes us out of our comfort zone or demands our time when we’re tired or asks us to do something we don’t naturally enjoy.”
Pg58 “You are not defined by what you do or do not bring to the table; you are defined by the fact that the one who created you and has your days within his hands has invited you to the table because of his Son, Jesus.”
Pg104 “God does not ask us to do what he does not equip us to do. And he does not ask us to go where he will not go with us.”
(Review written for 'Serve')
Being in a season where I have taken on a greater responsibility in ministry, this book was timely and refreshing as it encouraged my heart and set my eyes on Jesus, who is “our great example of a true servant of others” and reminded me that “what sustained [him]—a love for his Father, his people and his world—is what will sustain us too.”
I believe this book is a must-read for the new believer, an encouraging read for the weary ...believer, and a solid read for a group of believers growing together through discipleship.
Thank you, The Good Book Company, for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
(Review written for 'Serve')
What does it look like to serve the Lord and serve Him well? Steve Robinson argues that service to God starts with us serving in the local church.
In this short and easy read, Robinson walks the reader through effective service in the local church by helping us to first understand who and why we serve.
He shows us what it looks like to be a good and faithful servant before directing us on the best ways to serve—as the person God has made you to be with what He’s given you right where has placed you.
The book did what it aimed to do. It was convincing, but it didn’t feel like it was new or fresh material. I suppose it felt like common sense in many ways. This is why I didn’t rate it higher, but I do still think it’s worth the read—especially for new believers or those discipling others.
I received a copy of this book for free from The Good Book Company in exchange for this honest review.
