Suggestion to the teacher: Personally review each of the twelve lessons prior to class. From each lesson write down the points that you personally find meaningful. Consider why each point is meaningful to you, and be ready to share your "why" with the class. Begin the class by asking class members to share their points. Be patient as you encourage them to share. Remember: when they share, their learning increases. The student is much more likely to retain the influence of the point if he or she shares it. Use your points and "whys" when it is necessary to start a discussion. Remember, the less you say the more successful this class is.
Look back through each of the twelve lessons. Remember: the objective is to learn. Learning occurs (1) when we gain new information or (2) when we gain new understandings and insights. The purpose of Christian learning is to change our thinking and our hearts by advancing our spiritual maturity. As you look back over the lessons consider the things you now know that you did not know prior to this study. Consider new insights and understandings that you gained. As you consider each lesson, write down two understandings about being God's servant that touched your life. Why did each of those understandings touch your mind and heart?
Lesson one: We follow Jesus because Jesus followed God.
Lesson two: We are converted to be good servants.
Lesson three: The new reality in Christ.
Lesson four: A servant is not greater than his Lord.
Lesson five: What Christians are taught by foot washing.
Lesson six: We are unprofitable servants.
Lesson seven: God's servant is merciful.
Lesson eight: God's avenue to spiritual significance.
Lesson nine: We serve whom we obey.
Lesson ten: Do not misuse Christian freedom.
Lesson eleven: The Lord's servant must not quarrel.
Lesson twelve: Serving and the judgment.
How have this quarter's lessons helped you understand that each Christian is God's servant?
How have this quarter's lessons matured your concepts of what it means to be God's servant?
A synopsis for the teacher of the quarter's material.
Lesson one: Christians welcome Jesus' example as a servant because Jesus served God perfectly. He did God's will exactly as God would have a human do His will.
Lesson two: The reason we became Christians was to serve God. We escaped the control of Satan and sin in order to serve God.
Lesson three: Christians do not manufacture "artificial" differences to distinguish themselves from people who do not follow God. They live by a distinctly different set of values, principles, and concepts. They are different because they allow Jesus to be their example of the servant who does God's will. They are different because they allow God to teach them how to think.
Lesson four: The Christian never regards himself or herself to be better than or more important than Jesus. Hardships produced by serving God are never considered unjust.
Lesson five: Jesus expected us to learn from his example when he washed his disciples feet. We want the same humble spirit, humble attitude, and humble behavior that Jesus had. We want Jesus' reasons for that spirit, attitude, and behavior to become our reasons.
Lesson six: The Christian always remembers that the price of his or her salvation was and is greater than any service that he or she can give God. It is impossible for a Christian to do too much for God.
Lesson seven: We receive God's mercy to become agents and examples of mercy.
Lesson eight: The way to achieve success in God's eyes is through humble service to people. What we do for people considered insignificant by others is extremely significant to God.
Lesson nine: There is an inseparable link between the servant and obedience. The Christian becomes God's servant by obeying God.
Lesson ten: Christ died to give us freedom through his forgiveness, mercy, and grace. The Christian uses that freedom to serve others. He or she does not use that freedom to indulge himself or herself in things that oppose God or God's purposes.
Lesson eleven: A Christian cannot and does not accomplish God's purposes through quarreling. He accomplishes God's purposes by calling his or her wayward brothers and sisters to repentance. He or she influences others toward repentance through kindness, teaching, patience, and gentle correction.
Lesson twelve: The service that we unselfishly perform in caring for the needs of people who are regarded to be insignificant will be a major factor in the sentence we receive on judgment day.
Link to Student Guide Quarter 2, Lesson 13