In this episode, Chris Rivers, Scott Aman, and Chad Clint discuss “Just Serve Day,” an outreach ministry event at Grace Church.  Scott shares his involvement in this event and how it has impacted his life in a personal way.  Scott and Chad also explore the benefits of serving, in any capacity, and talk about how it can build credibility with others and open the door for gospel conversations. Share, listen and then discuss the application, key ideas, and scripture references in a one on one conversation or with a group of men.

Episode # 11 Study Questions: https://resources.gracechurchsc.org/podcasts/men-at-grace

APPLICATION

1. Have you participated in “Just Serve Day” at Grace Church or another service-focused event? In what ways did your participation shape you or challenge you in some way?
2. How has God opened doors for you to have gospel conversations while you were serving others?
3. Where do you think you would fall on the “Me and Others” continuum Scott described? What obstacles prevent you from pouring yourself out for others?
4. What benefits have you gained from serving others? What do you think are some of the challenges to serving?

KEY POINTS

• “Just Serve Day” is an outreach ministry event at Grace Church. It is an opportunity for the church to band together to serve the community and strengthen local partners.  Teams from each campus take part in service projects ranging from picking up trash to lawn maintenance/beautification to other facility maintenance projects.  This event is not a “one and done” serving day.  The goal is to create a culture of service, develop credibility in the community, and ultimately lead to gospel conversations with the people served.
• Scott participated in “Just Serve Day” by volunteering at The Renewal Center, an addiction treatment center for women.  He admits to being hesitant, at first, but recognized this as an opportunity to use his gifts and take action. Scott watched God work through this experience and was able to see how serving opened the door to build relationships and tell people about Jesus.
• Scott shared a visual image of what he called “The Me and Others Continuum.” On one end of the continuum is our own self-centered thinking and desire to please self. On the other end is meeting the needs of others and striving to live like Jesus. Through his experiences, Scott began to see himself moving towards the “others” end of the continuum and starting to grasp the meaning of being “poured out.”
• Scott’s participation in “Just Serve Day” was beneficial in many ways. First, it helped to build camaraderie and fellowship.  As men and women worked together to accomplish a goal, they grew closer through this shared experience.  Next, it allowed participants to show their love and concern for others while being compelling to the community they served. Finally, it pushed Scott and those who served alongside him to avoid passivity and move to action.

RELATED SCRIPTURES:

- Romans 12:1, 2 Timothy 4:6-7

- Join a men’s roundtable study by finding a campus near you and register. This teaching can be found by visiting: gracechurchsc.org/mrt

- Just Serve: gracechurchsc.org/connect/culturallyengaged

Many thanks to Lauren Bryant and Scott Beardsley for helping to produce this episode.