Study 10: The servant Queen

Proverbs 31:15; “She rises while it is yet night and gets spiritual food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.”

Proverbs 31:24-25a AMP; “She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles (or sashes that free one for service). Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure….”

2 Timothy 2:24; “And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead she must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered (preserving the bond of peace): She must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong.”
Jesus shows the perfect example of a true servant, Philippians 2:5-10. He shows that being a servant is not weakness but strength. Our attitude is the most vital part of our Christian life as it determines our success or failure, and out of it, our actions will show our true heart.

Like the ‘Joyful Woman’ we should rise early and rejoice that Jesus is already awake and He is rejoicing over us, so we can give Him our day with complete trust.

Picture of a servant.

1. A servant is taken on for her potential not her success
2. A servant is totally committed to her master.
3. A servant is wholehearted in everything she does.
4. A servant has no rights.
5. A servant cares about the same things her master cares about.
6. A servant will protect her master to the death.
7. A servant shows her true humility through obedience.
8. A servant learns what her master likes done and does it before she is asked.
9. A servant learns by observation of both her master and other servants.
10. A servant wears the uniform of the master’s house to bring honour to the master.
11. A servant is very proud of belonging to her master’s household.
12. A servant never complains about the other servants but tries to help them.
13. A servant’s first priority is her master’s happiness.
14. A servant does not worry about her provision.
15. A servant never wants credit for her work.
16. A servant only wants recognition from her own master not from others.

Jesus the Perfect servant.

 1. He came from heaven to serve His Father. Philippians 2:7.
2. He came to earth to serve mankind. Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:43-45.
 3. He was a child and served His parents. Luke 2:51-52.
4. He was a teenager and served the Pharisees. Luke 2:43-47.
 5. He had a ministry and served His disciples. Mark 6:8; 8:31:John 13:5,12,14.
6. He served the Gentiles. Mark 7:26; Luke 9:52-56
 7. He served the synagogue leaders. Mark 5:22.
 8. He served the poor. Matthew 8:3.
 9. He served the prostitutes. Luke 7:36-38
10. He served the sick. Mark 8:22; Mark 10:49.
 11. He served the mentally sick. Mark 9:17-27.
 12. He served the hungry. Mark 6:35-44
 13. He served His friends. Mark 1:30.
14. He served women. Mark 5:34.
 15. He served the widows. Mark 12:41-44
 16. He served His enemies. Mark 14:18

Today’s servants­

1. Know who they are in Jesus Christ. (See additional sheet in study 9 “Who Christians are..”)
 2. Know there is no greater calling than to serve the living God. 2 Corinthians 5:15.
 3. Know they are full of the life and Nature of God. 2 Peter 1:3-4.
4. Know that being a servant is more important than showing gifts. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
 5. Know that their position in the Body is chosen by the Master not themselves. Ephesians 2:10.
 6. Know that everything they do is giving glory to God. Philippians. 4:13.
7. Know that in serving men they are serving God. Ephesians 6:21-24.
 8. Know that they do the will of God wholeheartedly. John 14:24.
9. Know that all their actions are done in His love. Ephesians 2:4-5; Galatians 5:13.
 10. Know that all their actions are done in joy. Nehemiah 8:10.
 11. Know that when they are secure in Jesus they are safe to make themselves of no reputation. Philippians 2:7.
 12. Know that true humility is shown in obedience to the Word. Proverbs 15:33; Acts 20:19.
 13. Know that their opinions must reflect their Master’s opinion. Matthew 7:24-27.
 14. Know that they only speak for their Master, not themselves. John 16:13.
15. Know that they must spend time learning their Master’s business and intentions, Matthew 11:28-30.
 16. Know those whom their Master would welcome, but keep away from those bent on evil, 2 Timothy 3:1-9.
 17. Know that they must act with discretion. Proverbs 5:1-2.
 18. Join in their Master’s joy in His times of success. Luke 15:10.

As servants of the living God today, we are so blessed. We do not see greatness as ‘our position’ in the Church, or in our job, or in society. We know that our greatness (Mark 10:43-45) is in doing the ordinary menial tasks (John 13:12-17) that no one else sees. We do them with the same enthusiasm and zeal as we do the jobs that people do see, because we are doing all for the glory of God, 1 Corinthians 10:31. When we have the mind of Christ, we know God’s plan for us and we consider ourselves a servant to Him as our Master. Only then will we be totally identified with Him. We must be careful to Make sure we excel at serving in the Church, and make sure we continue this in our own homes. We somehow feel used when serving at home but accept it when it happens at Church or work!

Remember we serve to please Him and for His Glory ONLY.

Our life will be one of meeting the needs of others and lifting up Jesus.

That is true prosperity.

Home Challenges for Joyful Woman No:10

1. Take as many points as possible, from the list ‘Today’s Servants’, look up the references and apply them to your everyday situations. Write down what you intend to do.

 

2. Looking at the example of Jesus, what challenged you most and how could you walk in His footsteps in your home/work?

 

3. Is there any area in the Church or your local area where you are not working, where you feel you could serve?

 

4. Is there anything more you have got from the study about servanthood? Are you applying all that you are learning?

 

Proverbs 31:26. “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”

5. Read Proverbs 3:15-18 How is wisdom described?

 

6. According to James 1:5-8 how do we receive wisdom? What happens if we do not believe?

 

7. Read Proverbs 3:21-31 What advice and promises are there to those who follow God’s wisdom?

 

8. Read Proverbs 8:12-14; 19; 20-21. What is the person like who has God’s wisdom? List four points that best describes you.

 

9. In which areas do you want to see the benefits of wisdom in your life?

 

10. Now write out the relevant Bible verses from the Proverbs passages above, and speak them and believe.

 

 11. Proverbs 1:7 AMP ‘The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and choice part of knowledge (it’s starting point and it’s essence); but fools despise skilful and Godly wisdom, instruction and discipline.’ What is the ‘fear of the Lord’ in your own words?

 

12. Imagine what words came out of the ‘Joyful Woman’s’ mouth to her husband, family and friends. What kind of words are in your mouth most of the time? Where do these words come from according to Luke 6:45?

 

 13. Read 1 Corinthians 2:12-14. Explain in your own words why some people you speak to don’t have any idea what you are talking about? What do they think of Godly wisdom?

 

14. Why did God give the Holy Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 2:12?

 

15. How should Christians speak according to 1 Corinthians 2:13; Psalm 34:13 and Proverbs 12:18; 18:21?

 

16. What encouragement do you get from 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 if you don’t feel you are clever enough to speak to people?

 

 17. Memory verse:- “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, 0 Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer” Psalm 19:14.

 

 18. Answer True or False to the following questions. If you can give verses from the Bible to back up your answer that will help you.