The Great Example

Small Group Discussion Guide: The Great Example

Matthew 20:17–34

Big Idea: In God’s kingdom, greatness doesn’t climb over people; greatness bends down to serve people. Jesus is the great King who gave Himself for us, and His followers pursue greatness by becoming servants like their King.

Opening Icebreaker

What’s a task or chore you really appreciate when someone else does it for you?

Discussion Questions

1. What did you notice most from the message or from Matthew 20:17–34? What stuck with you, challenged you, or made you think?
2. Jesus clearly tells the disciples that He is headed toward suffering and the cross, yet James and John are thinking about positions of honor. Where do you see the difference between Jesus’ priorities and the disciples’ priorities?
3. Jesus says,“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant”(v. 26). How is Jesus’ definition of greatness different from the messages we typically receive about success, influence, and leadership?
4. The sermon pointed out that we can believe the right things about Jesus while still pursuing un-Christlike ambitions. What might that look like in everyday life—even in church or ministry?
5. Jesus doesn’t merely tell His disciples to serve; He points to Himself: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”(v. 28). How does being served and saved by Jesus change our motivation for serving others?
6. On His way to the cross, Jesus stops when two blind men cry out to Him.The crowd sees an interruption; Jesus sees people.What kinds of people or interruptions are easiest for you to overlook when life gets busy?
7. Think about the places where you have some influence—your home, workplace, church, friendships, or community. Where are you most tempted to use influence to get your way rather than for the good of others?
8. What’s one thing you’ll do this week to follow Jesus’ example by intentionally taking the posture of a servant? Be as specific as you can.

Going Deeper

Jesus served people who would doubt Him, deny Him, and even betray Him. What does it look like to serve someone when you know they may not appreciate it, repay you, or even treat you well? How can we do that without turning service into people-pleasing?

Prayer Focus

Pray that God would expose selfish ambition and reshape our understanding of greatness around the example of Jesus. Ask for eyes to notice people we normally overlook and the humility to stop and serve them. Thank Jesus that before He ever called us to serve Him, He served us by giving His life as our ransom.