Read Mark 10:42-45. The year 2008 was definitely one of the wildest years in recent memory with volatile gas and oil prices, several stock market crashes, the collapse and/or instability of many industries, higher unemployment, and world-wide uncertainty of anything once regarded as truly stable. So as you begin 2009 the question is how do you make it a great year instead of a year that just happens TO you? In Mark, Jesus answers that question by defining what it means to be great. To be great and to make your life count in the year 2009 means becoming a servant to those around you.

• What comes to mind the most when you think back on 2008? What is the best thing that happened to you personally?


• In general how would you define what a really great year looks like? What would make 2009 a great year in your life?

Read Matthew 28:18-20. The Scriptures describe three ways that every great disciple practices in becoming a servant to world around them, and the first is to go out and make other disciples. To be clear though, making disciples of people is different than making new church members or changing a person’s mind about church. Making disciples means transforming lives by offering new life in Jesus Christ and a new way to live following Jesus Christ. Making disciples also means going into the neighborhood and community, building relationships and trust, and taking the church into the world around you. It is not about bringing the world into the church.

• How would you answer the question “show me your church?” Would Jesus be pleased with this answer?


• How is your cell group on mission in your neighborhood? Where could you do more?

Read John 15:12-13. The second great practice of a disciple of Jesus is to love one another as Jesus loves you. Loving others might seemingly sound simple but as you look more deeply at this Scripture Jesus defines the love he is requiring as sacrificial love. For Jesus, love is not a feeling but a decision, and to become a great servant you too must decide to love others even though they aren’t worthy or might not return your love. Love intentionally puts others first, seeing your neighbors as God sees them and not looking for loopholes or conditions to not love.

• Do you look for loopholes in loving your family/neighbors/strangers? What are they?


• Has someone ever loved you unconditionally when you truly didn’t deserve their love? Explain.


• For you, what is the hardest part of ‘putting others first’ into a life long practice?

Read Micah 6:8. Finally, the third great practice is working for justice and mercy as you walk and work alongside God in this partnership of service. God desires restoration and wholeness and the church has been called to speak out against injustice, to break cycles of oppression and poverty, and to fix systems that currently keep people from living out their God given purposes. And just as you are probably thankful God doesn’t give you what you deserve, you too can share this undeserved mercy with others.

• How has God given you undeserved second chances in your life? Are you thankful you don’t get what you really deserve from God?


• How will you make 2009 a great year? What step do you need to make to begin serving or loving others?