Service Prep

7/31/2019 Service Prep

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Worship Through

ServingHe who walks in a perfect way,

he shall serve me.(Psalm 101:6 NKJV)

The Meaning of Service

The Blessings of Service

The Unacceptable Service

The Acceptable Service

Serving Is An Immense Responsibility

Our Call to Serve Demands a Life of Fullness

The Commitment to Serve

Preaching the Truth with Love

Service Requires a Passionate Heart

Service Requires Prayer

Service Requires an Open Bible

Service is a Discipleship

The Honor of Serving

Pride and the Servant's Self

Growing in Faith

Growing in Virtues

Growing in Wisdom

Learning From Christ the True Servant

The Good Shepherd
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Serve the Lord with Gladness

(Psalm 100:2)

Servingthe Lord our Savior is the highest calling,for it elevates us to the level of angels, who are: all

ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who

will inherit salvation.

(Heb 1:14 NKJV)

Servingis a form of worship we offer to ourLord, when we fulfill His commandment:

Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable

to God, which is your reasonable service (NKJV)/ your

spiritual service of worship (NASB).

(Rom 12:1)

Servingis calling others to salvation. It is thework of the Holy Spirit through His servants, when they

obediently pursue the great commission our Lord Jesus

Christ has asked every Christian:

Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every

creature.

(Mark 16:15 NKJV)

And also:

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.

(Matt 28:19 NKJV)

In observanceof these great commandments andpromises, this web site has been developed, modeling

theServant Preparatory Curriculum, in current use at

Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Church of Chicago, in

Burr Ridge, Illinois.
http://www.copticservant.com/Course/Curriculum.htmhttp://www.stmarkchicago.org/http://www.copticservant.com/Course/Curriculum.htmhttp://www.stmarkchicago.org/


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You shall love the LORD your God

with all your heart,

with all your soul,

with all your

strength,

and

with all your mind.

(Deuteronomy 6:5 / Matthew 22:37 / Mark 12:30 / Luke10:27)

Preparationof any believer to serve the Lordrequires primarily discipleship combined with humility,

while bathing the entire process in prayer. The use of

this web site alone without the mentorship and blessingsof experienced spiritual elders and church fathers,

cannot be relied on in creating a spirit of serving within

the heart and soul of the believer.

The materialpresented here, however, is veryuseful for both students and teachers of Servant

Preparatory Classes. Each lesson is displayed in slide-

presentation style conducive of interactive discussion

and meditation, for maximum benefit. There is an

abundance of biblical references in every part of the

curriculum.

The resourcesused to compile this curriculum arenumerous, and highly reputable. These include books

and tapes ofHis Holiness Pope Shenouda III, Early

Church Fathers writings, lecture notes and handouts

from the seminary of the Theological School of

Alexandria in Cairo, the writings of the Late Bishop

Youannis, the Late Fr. Pishoy Kamel, the Late Fr. Mattathe Poor, Hegemon Fr. Tadros Y. Malaty, and several

other famous Coptic authors.
http://www.copticpope.org/http://www.copticpope.org/http://www.copticpope.org/


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The selection of topics for the lessons was basedon examination of curricula being used by several

Coptic churches in Cairo, as well as recognition of the

unique needs of serving the Coptic Orthodox

congregations in North America.We hope the use of this web site turns out to be a joyful

and edifying experience. Through the continuous

prayers of our beloved father, His Holiness, Pope

Shenouda III, and all the clergy of our Coptic Orthodox

Church, and through the supplications of the cloud of

saints and heavenly hosts standing at the Throne of

Divinity, we ask for the Lord's blessings. May all the

glory be to Our God, the Father and His Son, Christ our

Savior and Our Comforter, the Holy Spirit, at all times,Amen.

The Servants of Saint Mark Coptic Orthodox Chruch

in Burr Ridge, Greater Chicago Area, Illinois, USA

Serve the Lord with Fear

(Psalm 2:11)


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The Meaning of

ServingX Do I have to Serve?

X What is the Aim of Serving God?

X How Can I Succeed in Serving?

X God and Serving

X The Source and Purpose of Our

Service

X What Changes People's Lives?

X The True Servant

X What am I Like?

X He taught them as one Having

Authority

X Our Vital Role
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Do I Have to Serve?

Let us examine the following verses to see what Godthinks about serving Him:

(James 4:17 NKJV) Therefore, to him who knows to do

good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

(Mat 12:30 NKJV) He who is not with Me is against Me,

and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.

(Mat 3:10 NKJV) Every tree which does not bear good

fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

(Mark 8:35 NKJV) For whoever desires to save his life

will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and

the gospels will save it.

Here Christ condemns those who refrain from doing good.

He labels those who do not work with Him, as His enemies.

He warns those who do not yield results, and those who do

not sacrifice their lives for His sake, that they would perish

forever!

So, what are our choices?


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What is the Aim of Serving

God?

Where is society heading nowadays?

The fast pace of life, working parents, recent trends in

public schools, and the newer technologies such as the

media and the internet; have all impacted the upbringing

of our children and youths.

Can you list some of the evils of our times?

What does God want His children to be

like?

God is a good Father, who desires the welfare of Hischildren. He wants to see us in good spiritual, mental,

emotional and physical health:

(Mat 5:48 NKJV) Therefore you shall be perfect, just as

your Father in heaven is perfect.

(1 Th 5:23 NKJV) Now may the God of peace Himself

sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit,

soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of

our Lord Jesus Christ.What is Gods standard for His people?


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What does God want His children to be

like?

(James 2:15-16 NKJV)15 If a brother or sister is naked

and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says tothem, Depart in peace, be warmed and filled, but

you do not give them the things which are needed for

the body, what does it profit?

It is the servants duty to help bridge the gap between

Gods standards and the reality of life. We seek to guide

people to solve their problems, to live the commandments,

to develop virtues, and to practice the holy sacraments. A

real service is comprehensive, and addresses all the facets

of a persons life.

Can you give examples?

How Can I Succeed in

Serving?

Does serving God need a degree in psychology and

education? Or mastering the art of speech? Or the most

advanced audio-visual aids?

The teachers are truly plentiful but the servants are

few! (Pope Shenouda III)

What is the difference between a teacher and aservant?

Does serving God need a degree in psychology and

education? Or mastering the art of speech? Or the most

advanced audio-visual aids?


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The Bible makes it clear that the ONLY essential element

in serving is righteous living. All the rest are helpful, yet

optional aids:

(1 Tim 4:12 NKJV) Be an example to the believers in

word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity

(Mat 5:20 NKJV) For I say to you, that unless your

righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the

scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter

the kingdom of heaven

(Mat 5:16 NKJV) Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works and glorify your

Father in heaven.

(James 2:18 NKJV) Show me your faith without your

works, and I will show you my faith by my works

List some of the essential elements of serving, and some

of the optional ones.

God and Serving (Rev 1:12,13,16 NKJV)12 I saw seven golden

lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the seven

lampstands One like the Son of Man 16 He had in

His right hand seven stars

(Rev 1:20 NKJV) The mystery of the seven stars

which you saw in My right hand, and the seven

golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels

(i.e. messengers or bishops) of the seven churches,

and the seven lampstands which you saw are the

seven churches.

The real service is where Christ is at its center, being its

source of light, with the servants in His right hand. Out


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of His love and humility, God allows us to be His

servants. He could have effected the service without any

human help at all, but He gave us the grace to be His

tools, co-workers and partakers of His ministry.

(John 15:16 NKJV) You did not choose Me, but I

chose you and appointed you that you should go and

bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that

whatever you ask the Father in My name He may

give you

What do I do to be in Christs right hand, and to have

Him the center of my service?

The Source and Purpose of

Our ServiceIt is God who serves through us. He places the words in

our mouths and by His grace He speaks through us. His

power and His Holy Spirit works in the lives of those we

serve. Our own human words cannot save souls, only the

Word of God can. If we do not receive the words of gracefrom God Himself, our service is doomed to fail, for it

becomes human not Divine.

(John 14:10 NKJV) The words that I speak to you I do

not speak on My own authority; but the Father who

dwells in Me does the works.

(Luke 21:15 NKJV) For I will give you a mouth and

wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to

contradict or resist.

(Mark 13:11 NKJV) But whatever is given you in

that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but

the Holy Spirit.

(Luke 24:49 NKJV) but tarry in the city of


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Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on

high.

The servants job is to be like a copper wire a goodconductor of the Word. The best preparation he can do for

his lesson is to prepare himself and his spiritual life. He

has to invoke the Holy Spirit to use him and to submit to

Gods power to deliver living and powerful words. He

becomes an image of Christ, a bearer of the Holy Spirit

and a deliverer of Divine matter. Any lesson void of God

is not from God.

(Heb 4:12 NKJV) For the word of God is living and

powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword Why is Gods message contagious? How do I deliver a

contagious message?


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What Changes Peoples Lives?

Try to tell someone that he or she is bad and needs to

change. What do you think will happen?

The sinner who becomes righteous, is a miracle beyond

human power. It is Gods grace alone.

Yet, we are His tools by which He exercises His grace of

changing evil hearts to good ones. A good tool produces

good results and vice versa.

(Matt 12:34-35 NKJV)34 For out of the abundance of

the heart the mouth speaks.35

A good man out of thegood treasure of his heart brings forth good things,

and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth

evil things.

(Titus 1:7-9 NKJV)7 For a bishop (or servant) must

be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed,

not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent,

not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, a lover of

what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-

controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word as he hasbeen taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine,

both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

What kind of tool are you?


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The True Servant

The real servant has special characteristics. He is someone

who has denied his own self and honor, in humility and

submission to the Lord. He considers himself a servant,

accountable to His master, and cannot do anything of his

own accord. He wearies and tires himself to serve. He

does not choose an easy path.

(Matt 16:24 NKJV) If anyone desires to come after

Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and

follow Me.

(Luke 14:27 NKJV) And whoever does not bear his

cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

(1 Cor 3:8 NKJV) Each one will receive his own

reward according to his own labor.

List some of the special characteristics that distinguish

the true servant.

True service is driven by the motive of love. The servant

has boundless love for God, His work of salvation, His

Kingdom, His Church and the Holy Life He has called us

to. He loves everyone who needs to be served, even those

who are difficult to reach, those who are resentful, those

who are running away from God and those who are

enjoying sinful living. He labors hard for such people,

because he sees in them Gods image. He realizes how

much Jesus has suffered for their sakes and recognizes the

eternal life that the Lord has prepared for them. The true

servant has a comforting personality, transmitting the love

of Christ to others.

List some of the motives of the true servant.


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What Am I Like?

The Bible illustrates the real nature of a servant by usingvarious symbols:

1. The Light

(Matt 5:14 NKJV) You are the light of the world. A

city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

(Phil 2:15 NKJV) That you may become blameless

and harmless, children of God without fault in the

midst of a crooked and perverse generation, amongwhom you shine as lights in the world.

What did Jesus mean? How can you shine in this

world?

2. The Salt

(Matt 5:13 NKJV) You are the salt of the earth; but if

the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It isthen good for nothing but to be thrown out and

trampled underfoot by men.

The salt Jesus is referring to here has several

characteristics: it is essential to the food; it is needed in

small amounts; it is invisible; it is homogeneously mixed

throughout the food; and it becomes worthless when it

fails to achieve its purpose.

How can you be the salt of your community?3. The Leaven

(Matt 13:33 NKJV) The kingdom of heaven is like

leaven, which a woman took and hid in three

measures of meal till it was all leavened.


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The leaven is the yeast-containing substance that causes

the dough to rise. A small amount is thoroughly mixed

with the dough, which is then warmed. Then the secret of

life within starts to work: the yeast grows and multiplies,

producing carbon dioxide that raises the dough. In the

same manner, the Holy Spirit within us is the source of life

that affects our entire community.

Why do we have to be mixed thoroughly with our

society to affect it?

4. The Message (Epistle)

(2 Cor 3:2-3 NKJV)2 You are our epistle written in

our hearts, known and read by all men.

3

Clearly youare an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not

with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on

tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the

heart.

The servant is both the messenger and the message. He/she

is to deliver Christ to others. His message needs to be clear

and easy to read. It is written in his/her feelings, soul and

behavior.

Where is Christs message written, and how is it

written?

5. The Fragrance

(2 Cor 2:14-15 NKJV)14 Through us diffuses the

fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we

are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who

are being saved and among those who are perishing.When we preach our knowledge of Christ, some people

will respond and will be saved. Yet some others will turn

back, and our preaching will witness against them on

judgment day.

Do we smell like Christ? How?


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He taught them as one having

authority (Mark 1:22)Christ Was a Successful Teacher

Everyone gathered to listen to Him, they were astonished

at His teaching. He taught what He lived: righteousness

and holiness. A servant who has lived and experienced

what he/she teaches is much more effective in convincing

whom he/she serves. The experienced servant is more

excited about his/her message, delivers it with greater

confidence, has real answers to any questions or concerns,and so is able to lead his/her followers correctly,

particularly through rough waters.

(John 7:38 NKJV) He who believes in Me as the

Scripture has said out of his heart will flow rivers of

living water.

(2 Tim 1:12 NKJV) For I know whom I have believed

and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have

committed to Him until that Day.

(Psalm 34:8-11 NKJV) Oh, taste and see that the Lord

is good Come, you children, listen to me; I will

teach you the fear of the Lord.

How does a successful servant produce rivers of

flowing water from his heart?


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He taught them ... not as the

scribes (Mark 1:22)

The Scribes and Pharisees Were Failuresin Their Teaching

They could not live up to the principles they taught,

because their purpose was self-glorification. The true

servants shine the life of Jesus through, not their own.

They have long sacrificed personal desires or goals for the

sake of serving and giving. They are driven by sincere

love for Christ. Those with different motives such as the

desire to teach or to be popular; or those who considerserving to be a hobby, an exercise of skills, or spending

free time; are doomed to fail. They are twice dead: when

they became selfish and when they failed.

(Acts 20:24 NKJV) But none of these things move me;

nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may

finish my race with joy, & the ministry which I

received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel

of the grace of God.

(Jude 1:12 NKJV) Serving only themselves. They are

clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late

autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by

the roots.

What motives can cause a servant to fail in his service?

What are your motives to serve?


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Our Vital RoleThe servant has a vital and dangerous role in the lives of

those he/she serves. They grow when he/she does and they

mature as he/she does. They see in him/her what theybelieve to be the image of Christ. On the other hand a

stumbling servant will offend those he/she serves, hurting

their conscience and obstructing their spiritual growth.

This necessitates that we continuously nurture our spirits

in meditations and prayers, with strife and humility, in

training to give. The more we serve, the more quiet time

we should spend; and the more exercise in sacrifice,

endurance and self-control we need. It is said that a sinner

repents only when he sees the love of Christ incarnated in

the life of whosoever ministers to him.

(2 Cor 5:20 NKJV) Now then, we are ambassadors for

Christ, as though God were pleading through us.

List some of the ways by which a servant can harm

rather than help.


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Summary

The Meaning of ServingGod called you to attend this course. Make it an

opportunity for you to acquire the following:

(a) Spiritual fulfillment and growth

(b) Sound spiritual values and knowledge of Orthodox

theology, doctrine and tradition

(c) A sincere desire to relieve people tormented by sin or

oppressed under Satans power

(d) A living experience of the Holy Spirit working through

the sacraments, particularly: Regular Confession: Do I have a father of confession?

How is my relationship with him?

Regular Communion: Do I reverence Christ abiding

within me and I in Him?

(e) An eagerness to study Gods Word and to live a life of

unceasing prayer

(f) The wisdom to teach, faithfully and accurately, thejewels of Christianity, to those who lack them

Memorize:

(John 7:38 NKJV) He who believes in Me as the

Scripture has said out of his heart will flow rivers of

living water


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References & Resources

The Meaning of Serving

The Holy Bible, NKJV (English)

The Holy Bible, Beirut Edition (Arabic)

The Audio Library of His Holiness Pope Shenouda

the Third: Servant Preparatory Lecture Series (Arabic

Tapes 1977-1978); Abbasseya, Cairo, Egypt

The Service and the Servant: Part One; by Fr. Mina

Namr Mina (2nd Arabic Edition, 1994); Church of the

Great Martyr Saint George Khamaraweh, Shoubra,

Cairo, EgyptThe Paradise of the Spirit: Part Two; By His Grace the

Late Bishop Youannes (Second Arabic Edition, 1976);

Bishopric of Gharbeya, Egypt

Questions


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Each of the following statements is eitherTRUE or

FALSE :-

1. There is a need for servants because the society

around us is evil and corrupt

2. We should share the joy of our faith, rather than

be selfish and keep it to ourselves

3. We should serve because the act of serving helps

build our self-esteem

4. The good servant is he who delivers a rich

knowledge base of Christian information

5. Building a healthy, mature Christian personality

is a primary priority in serving6. Our service should focus on creating an

emotionally charged atmosphere

7. Financial help to the poor and the needy during

hardships is the most important priority in serving

8. A spiritually mature servant whose life gives no

offense is Gods best tool in serving

9. A good servant exhibits a life of righteousness to

the letter

10. A true servant is an example to others in

word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity

11. The servant retains his; her precious value

even when behaving corruptly

12. A servant is like an epistle of Christ and

the fragrance of His knowledge

13. You can be enthusiastic about delivering

the message without living it

14. The servant who is not personally livingwhat he preaches is very ineffective

15. Being knowledgeable in the details of the

message is more important than experience

16. Finding pleasure in teaching others is a

guarantee of success


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17. For the service to succeed, the servant hasto enjoy sacrificing for Christ

18. Those who seek to be honored by serving

are generally great achievers

19. People are influenced and changed by a

servant only when the Holy Spirit reveals Gods

sign in him

20. A servant who, in his message to others,

focuses on his own virtues is very influential


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The Blessings of

ServingX The Blessings of Serving

X Learning From Children

X Learning From Youth

X Serving the Church Community

X Within the Family of Servants

X Serving in General

X Meditation
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The Blessings of Serving

People are influenced by what they do: their jobs,careers, and hobbies. It is the same with serving.

Serving has a blessed effect on our lives. It

teaches us many lessons, if we have the readiness

and alertness to learn.

Learning from Children

Children have numerous godly features. Our LordJesus Christ made it a prerequisite to behave like

them to be accepted into His Kingdom. He called a

little child and made him the most important

lesson of life for His disciples. Every time we serve

little children is an opportunity to learn this lesson.

(Mat 18:1-5 NKJV)1 At that time the disciples

came to Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in

the kingdom of heaven?2

Then Jesus called alittle child to Him, set him in the midst of them,3 and said, Assuredly, I say to you, unless you

are converted and become as little

children, you will by no means enter the

kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever

humbles himself as this little child is the

greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever

receives one little child like this in My namereceives Me.

Sincere Love:


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Dependence and Trust:

Children depend on their parents for the daily needs. They trust

that these adults will meet all their needs. We need to trust the

Lord.

(Prov 3:5 NKJV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding.

(Mat 7:7 NKJV) Ask, and it will be given to you; seek,

and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Honesty, Sincerity and Innocence:

These are features of children. They are not twisted in mind or

deceitful in expression. They carry no grudges or feelings of

hatred. Their feelings of anger or hurt are rapidly dissipated andeasily forgotten. They are spontaneous and simple. God wants

us to respect them for that reason, and even imitate them.

(Mat 18:10 NKJV) Take heed that you do not despise one

of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their

angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

(1 Pet 2:1-2 NKJV) Therefore, laying aside all malice, all

deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn

babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow

thereby.

(Mat 5:8 NKJV) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall

see God.

(Luke 15:4-5 NKJV)4 What man of you, having

a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does

not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and

go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5

And when he has found it, he lays it on his

shoulders, rejoicing.

Sharing the Weak:

The faithful servant will feel the pain of those

under sin, and refrain from judging them. Sin is so

bitter, it causes the servant to weep and mourn for


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the lost one, and to pray and plead with a crushed

spirit. Saint Paul says:

(2 Cor 11:29 NKJV) Who is weak, & I am not

weak? Who is made to stumble, & I do not burn

with indignation?

(2 Tim 2:25 NKJV) in humility correcting those

who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant

them repentance, so that they may know the

truth.

A Tender Heart:

One of the rich experiences in service is to carrythe cross of ministering to the afflicted; yet

preserve the character of the group. Such a

servant is sensitive and affectionate particularly

with the weak. Would you shut this teen-aged

addict out of the group? How would you reach out

to him/her? Would you consider him/her totally

lost?

(1 Cor 12:26 NKJV) And if one member

suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one

member is honored, all the members rejoice

with it.

If you learn that one of the teenagers

you serve is now doing drugs, how

would you feel?


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Learning from Youth

Wise and Non-judgmental:

Youths are very difficult to attract particularlyduring their stage of rebellion. How do we deliver

Gods message to them? It is not proper to try to

please them by yielding to all their demands.

There should be a healthy balance between

standing strong for the truth on one hand, and

lenience and patience on the other between

when to reprimand or warn, and when to help or

encourage. This builds in the servant a wisecharacter in leadership, guidance and giving

advice.

Great Joy:

Joy is experienced in bringing a person to Christ;

in lifting him out of the darkness of sin into the

light of Our Lord. What a wonderful experience it

is to share the joy of repentance, and call those

you serve brothers as St. Paul did:

(Phil 4:1 NKJV) My beloved and longed-for

brethren, my joy and crown.

Sincere servants experience Gods grace at work

and they learn to trust in the power of His Word.

They live with rich hope, awaiting their crowns

when the Lord returns.

(1 Th 2:19 NKJV) For what is our hope, or joy,

or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the

presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His

coming?


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Serving the Church Community

The more the servant becomes involved in

peoples lives the more he becomes skilled in

dealing with their problems, understanding their

needs, the challenges of society and a growing

wisdom concerning the life we live. He becomes

eloquent and flexible in difficult situations.

Understanding the current social issues within the

light of the Scripture and Doctrine produces a

mature and wise personality.

(1 Cor 9:19-22 NKJV)19 For though I am free

from all men, I have made myself a servant to

all, that I might win the more; 20 and to the Jews

I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to

those who are under the law, as under the law,

that I might win those who are under the law; 21

to those who are without law, as without law

(not being without law toward God, but under

law toward Christ), that I might win those who

are without law; 22 to the weak I became as

weak, that I might win the weak. I have

become all things to all men, that I might by all

means save some.

We have to be oriented to the circumstances of

those whom we serve, spiritually, socially,

economically and even physically.

Do I need to know the parents of my

Sunday school children? Do I need to

understand their social and economic

circumstances


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Within the Family of Servants

It is good for the brethren to be together. This

family of servants is one of the purest Christian

communities, when you see the image of Jesus

Christ in each of your fellow servants, and touch

His love in their behavior. It is like the early

church that lived in harmony, sharing in studying

the Word, in praises, in meditation or inexchanging spiritual experiences.

(Psa 133:1 NKJV) Behold, how good and how

pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in

unity!

(Acts 2:46 NKJV) with one accord in

gladness and simplicity of heart

(Acts 4:32 NKJV) Now the multitude of thosewho believed were of one heart and one soul;

neither did anyone say that any of the things

he possessed was his own, but they had all

things in common.

The best times are those spent in fellowship with

other servants, in prayer, Bible study, hymns and

praises, meditations and retreats, or in working

out the difficulties that face each of them.

The most effective way to solve common problems

is the joining together in a life of prayer and

fasting for one common purpose: the service, in


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true submission to the Lord. We need to learn how

to yield our egos and personal opinions for the

sake of the common good. This is reached by

abandoning this worlds attractions, and by

exalting our spirits in love and peace.

We have to be accountable to one another, for

there is One Master, God our Lord; and seek each

others good.

What is the most effective way to solve

a problem in the service?

What is the extent of our responsibility

towards the other servants?

Serving in General

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

God can never be indebted to anyone. The more

we serve Him, the more He gives us back spiritual

blessings that far exceed what we are able to give,

for He is the source of every good gift. We receive

from the Holy Spirit spiritual knowledge and

wisdom that we did not have before:

(Mark 13:11 NKJV) Whatever is given you in

that hour, speak that; for it is not you who

speak, but the Holy Spirit

(John 14:26 NKJV) But the Helper, the Holy

Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,

He will teach you all things, and bring to your

remembrance all things that I said to you.


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Developing Character:

Serving teaches hard labor, perseverance and

tolerance. There is no room for laziness and

complacence. Service is a life of struggle andcontinuous strife.

(1 Pet 5:2 NKJV) Shepherd the flock of God,

which is among you, serving as overseers, not

by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest

gain but eagerly.

Spiritual Experiences:

The servant gets to see the hand of the Lord at work,recognizing numerous little incidents as the result of the

Sovereign Almightys design, not just mere coincidences.

Those who deeply live such experiences have the benefit of

praising His grace, His goodness and His mercies. These

experiences are not easily perceived outside the ring of service.

(Rom 8:28 NKJV) And we know that all things work

together for good to those who love God, to those who are

the called according to His purpose.

Growth and Maturity:This is greatly motivated by serving. The servant is expected to

be a teacher who is mature in spirit. He trains himself hard not

to err, as St. Paul described himself. He no longer thrives on the

spiritual milk of babies but the solid food of mature persons.

(1 Tim 4:12 NKJV) Let no one despise your youth, but be

an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in

spirit, in faith, in purity.

(Acts 24:16 NKJV) I myself always strive to have aconscience without offense toward God and men.

(Heb 5:13-14 NKJV)13 For everyone who partakes only of

milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a

babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age,

that is, those who by reason of use have their senses


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exercised to discern both good and evil.

Perfection:

An ambitious servant sees no end to the ladder of virtues. He isconstantly seeking perfection, that is the fullness of Christ. As

servants, we are ambassadors for Christ.

(Eph 4:13 NKJV) till we all come to the measure of the

stature of the fullness of Christ.

(2 Cor 3:18 NKJV) But we all, with unveiled face,

beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being

transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as

by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Lords House:

The nature of serving obliges the servant to come to church

often. There he finds his comfort and rest, and a source of

spiritual revival. He is able to repeat after David Psalm 84. He

enjoys the hymns and songs, the prayers of raising the incense,

the midnight praises, the service of the liturgy, the sacraments,

the icons of the saints and the power of their intercessions.

(Psa 27:4 NKJV) One thing I have desired of the LORD,

that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORDall the days of my life.

Overcoming Setbacks:

Our previous lives and our spiritual weaknesses are good

chances to experience Gods mercies. As servants, we are

always alert and our minds should always be with God.

However, no one is without sin, for we all have weaknesses.

Yet, when weakness and sin affects us, it is transient and

strange to us. So, we recover swiftly. Being surrounded by themedium of serving, such weaknesses become no more than

transient setbacks that do not affect our spiritual progress that

much.

(James 3:2 NKJV) For we all stumble in many things.


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4. Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they

will still be praising You. Selah

5. Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,

whose heart is set on pilgrimage.

6. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, theymake it a spring. The rain also covers it with pools.

7. They go from strength to strength; each one

appears before God in Zion.

8. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer. Give ear,

O God of Jacob! Selah

9. O God, behold our shield, and look upon the face

of Your anointed.

10. For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

11. For the LORD God is a sun and shield. The LORD

will give grace and glory. No good thing will He

withhold from those who walk uprightly.

12. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man who trusts in

You!


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MeditationThe Story of a Girl and Two Kings:

(2 Ki 5:1-6 NKJV)1

Now Naaman, commanderof the army of the king of Syria, was a great and

honorable man in the eyes of his master, because

by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He

was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper. 2 And

the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had

brought back captive a young girl from the land of

Israel. She waited on Naaman's wife. 3 Then she

said to her mistress, If only my master were with

the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal

him of his leprosy. 4 And Naaman went in and told

his master, saying, Thus and thus said the girl

who is from the land of Israel. 5 Then the king of

Syria said, Go now, and I will send a letter to the

king of Israel. So he departed and took with him

ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold,

and ten changes of clothing. 6 Then he brought the

letter to the king of Israel, which said, Now be

advised, when this letter comes to you, that I have

sent Naaman my servant to you, that you may

heal him of his leprosy.

What lessons can you learn from this girl?


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Summary


Memorize:

(Psalm 133 NKJV) Blessed Unity of the People of

God

1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for

brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, running

down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running

down on the edge of his garments.

3 It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon

the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD

commanded the blessing; life forevermore.


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The Holy Bible, NKJV (English)

The Holy Bible, Beirut Edition (Arabic)

The Audio Library of His Holiness Pope Shenouda

the Third: Servant Preparatory Lecture Series (Arabic

Tapes 1977-1978); Abbasseya, Cairo, Egypt

The Service and the Servant: Part One; by Fr. Mina

Namr Mina (2nd Arabic Edition, 1994); Church of the

Great Martyr Saint George Khamaraweh, Shoubra,

Cairo, Egypt

The Paradise of the Spirit: Part Two; By His Grace the

Late Bishop Youannes (Second Arabic Edition, 1976);

Bishopric of Gharbeya, Egypt

Questions1. What lessons can I learn from the girl who served

Naaman?

2. It is Saturday night. Church service is over. How

do I prepare myself for the Liturgy next morning?

3. Does my personal life have anything to do with myservice?

4. If I had lived my life on the wrong track; but lately

I found the way to Christ and have been changed, do I

qualify to serve? How can my service benefit from my

past experiences?

5. What is the most effective way to solve a problem

in the service?

6. How would I react, if I am a church-boardmember, and I disapprove of a building project that the

other members favor?

7. Do I need to know the parents of my Sunday

school children? Do I need to understand their social and

economic circumstances?


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Documents

Service Prep