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Group Discussion
Questions for facilitating dynamic discussion
Foundations
August 22,2026
Week 4: Serve In Teams
Jeff Griffin
Mark 1:29-32
The world values being busy, working hard, and using your time well. But without a compelling “why” we’re setting ourselves up for burnout. We need the wisdom from the foundational principles Jesus used to start His ministry to give us energy not just for the workplace or family life, but ultimately to play a role in God’s kingdom work.
If you had to choose one, what would be your “baseball walkup song”?
1. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about serving at church? Does it give you a sense of excitement? Dread? Apathy?
2. Read Mark 1:29-34. Now visualize the setting: Jesus and his disciples have been at synagogue for the day and Simon (or Andrew) invites them over for a post-church meal. What do they find when they arrive at the house? What might the mother-in-law have thought as she lay in bed sick and heard unexpected voices in her home?
3. In that awkward moment, what do the disciples do? What takes place next is the first healing recorded in three of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, & Luke). Consider the mother-in-law’s service in light of the unexpected sickness, the unexpected guests, and the unexpected healing: she experienced Jesus, she saw a need, she had an ability. How does that change your perspective on your own service?
4. Jeff listed four motivations for serving: gifting (natural and/or supernatural ability), community (teamwork), significance (contributing to something bigger than ourselves) and gratitude (He died for me, so I live for Him). Review what each of those are. Which have propelled you to serve the church? What holds you back?
5. Whether you have yet to serve at church or having been serving a while, this idea of being motivated for the work is important. Which of these four areas of motivation do you need to press into to fuel your service anew or to move you toward serving?
Take some time as a group affirming ways you’ve seen a servant’s heart in one another. Pray for fresh motivation and courage to step into or continue serving in teams at The Compass.
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (NIV)