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Throughout Scripture, Jesus demonstrates what it looks like to be a servant.  Throughout his ministry, Jesus models servant hood that is full of humility, love and devotion to God.  John 13:1-17, where Jesus washes the feet of the disciples is probably the most common passage demonstrating the importance of service .  The discipline of service is not only about taking part in organized service activities, but is a way of transforming our lives to be a servant in all the events of life. Richard Foster, in his book Celebration of Discipline, states that “Service is not a code of ethics, but a way of living.”  Foster suggests the following acts of services that we can make a part of our daily life to cultivate the discipline of service:

• The service of hiddenness-doing that which remains unknown to others.
• The service of small things-simple assistance of another in what we identify as external matters.
• The service of guarding the reputation of others-promoting love, protecting words (Titus 3:2).
• The service of allowing others to serve us– It is an act of submission and service to let others serve us (note Peter and Jesus discussion in John 13 about being washed).
• The service of common courtesy toward one another – The service of ungrudging hospitality (1 Peter 4:9).  There is a desperate need today for Christians who will open their homes to one another.
• The service of listening intently to another – “The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them. The most important requirements are compassion and patience. We do not have to have the correct answers to listen well. In fact, often the correct answers are a hindrance to listening, for we become more anxious to give the answer than to hear. -Foster
• The service of bearing each other’s burden(Galatians 6:2). – True service builds community. It draws, binds, builds and heals.
• The service of bringing a word from God to another – Speaking truth in love to those around you. (Ephesians 4:15)

To cultivate the discipline of service, a starting point is to ask the simple question:  “What does service look like in my daily life?”  As we think about this question we will begin to see more people we can serve and see opportunities where we can glorify God by helping others.