Living Like Jesus: Serving, Seeking, and Sharing Meals – Weekly Devotional

Introduction

This sermon explores how we can live like Jesus in our daily lives, focusing on His mission to serve others, seek the lost, and connect with people through shared meals. The speaker emphasises the importance of community, intentional outreach, and finding ways to bless others in our everyday activities. The sermon encourages listeners to be missional in their approach to life, combining a deep connection with God and an outward focus on serving and connecting with others, especially those who are far from God.

🎥 Watch the Video

Main content teaching for the week

📌 Click to watch the main teaching for the week!

Key Points:

• We are better together, and having supportive people around us can make challenges seem less daunting
• Jesus had friends and chose to include disciples in His mission, teaching us about living in God’s kingdom
• Jesus came to serve, give His life, and seek the lost
• Jesus was not ashamed to associate with sinners and tax collectors, eating and drinking with them
• Living like Jesus involves being propelled outward to serve others and upward to deepen our relationship with God
• We can be missional in our everyday lives by using our interests and activities to connect with and bless others
• The BLESS model (Begin with prayer, Listen with care, Eat together, Serve in love, Share your story) is a practical approach to loving our neighbors

Scripture References:

• Mark 10:45
• Luke 19:10
• Luke 7:34
• Hebrews 10:23-25

Stories:

• The speaker’s experience of completing a Master’s degree with the support of classmates
• A study showing that hills appear less steep when accompanied by close friends
• The example of a Prime Minister doing dishes to illustrate Jesus’ servanthood
• A young couple in Melbourne who organized weekly tennis games as a missional activity
• The story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector whom Jesus visited.

📖 Daily Reading Plan

Day 1: Better Together

Reading: Mark 10:42-45

Devotional: Jesus taught us that true greatness comes through service. As we read about Christ’s mission to serve and give His life for many, reflect on how you can embody this servant leadership in your own life. Who in your community needs support? How can you make their journey easier, just as a friend’s presence can make a steep hill seem less daunting? Today, look for an opportunity to serve someone unexpectedly, remembering that in doing so, you’re following in the footsteps of Jesus.

Day 2: Seeking the Lost

Reading: Luke 19:1-10

Devotional: The story of Zacchaeus reminds us that Jesus came to seek and save the lost. No one is beyond the reach of God’s love. Think about the “tax collectors and sinners” in your own life – those who society might overlook or avoid. How can you extend Christ’s love to them? Consider inviting someone unexpected to share a meal with you this week. Remember, Jesus wasn’t afraid to associate with those on the margins. As you reach out, pray for God to open doors for meaningful conversations and connections.

Day 3: Breaking Bread, Breaking Barriers

Reading: Luke 7:31-35

Devotional: Jesus was often criticized for the company He kept, yet He continued to eat and drink with those society rejected. Sharing a meal is a powerful way to break down barriers and build relationships. Today, reflect on your own social circles. Are they diverse? Do they include those who might be considered “outsiders”? Challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone. Pray for opportunities to connect with someone different from you, perhaps over coffee or a shared activity. Ask God to help you see others as He sees them.

Day 4: Outward Mission, Upward Connection

Reading: John 15:1-8

Devotional: As we seek to live missionally, we must remember to stay deeply connected to the source of our strength – Jesus Christ. Like branches connected to the vine, our effectiveness in reaching others is directly tied to our intimacy with God. Take time today to nurture your relationship with Christ. Spend extra time in prayer, meditate on Scripture, or simply sit in God’s presence. Ask Him to fill you with His love and wisdom, so that as you go out into the world, you carry His presence with you.

Day 5: Everyday Mission Fields

Reading: 1 Peter 3:15-16

Devotional: Living like Jesus doesn’t always mean dramatic gestures or overseas missions. Often, it’s about finding ways to bless others in our everyday lives. Reflect on your regular activities and interests. How could these become opportunities for mission? Whether it’s a sports team, a hobby group, or your workplace, ask God to show you how to be salt and light in these environments. Remember the BLESS model: Begin with prayer, Listen with care, Eat together, Serve in love, and Share your story. Choose one aspect to focus on implementing this week in your daily interactions.

💬 Discussion Question

How has having supportive people around you made difficult challenges in your life seem more manageable? How does this relate to our spiritual journey?

Why do you think Jesus chose to include disciples in his ministry when he could have accomplished his mission alone? What does this teach us about community and discipleship?

In what ways can we emulate Jesus’ approach of being a ‘friend of sinners’ in our modern context? What barriers might we need to overcome to do this effectively?

How can we balance being ‘propelled outward’ into our neighbors’ lives with growing ‘upward’ in our intimacy with Jesus? What practical steps can we take to achieve this balance?

Reflecting on the tennis court ministry example, what unique interests or skills do you have that could be used to create missional communities? How might this look in your life?

How can we apply the BLESS model (Begin with prayer, Listen with care, Eat together, Serve in love, Share your story) in our daily lives? Which aspect do you find most challenging and why?

What does John Piper’s quote, ‘The gospel is not how people get to heaven. The gospel is how people get to God,’ mean to you? How might this perspective change our approach to evangelism?

In what ways can sharing meals with others, as Jesus did, break down barriers and create opportunities for spiritual conversations? How can we be more intentional about this practice?

Who are the ‘tax collectors and sinners’ in our society today? How can we reach out to these marginalized groups while maintaining our spiritual integrity?

How can we encourage and support each other in living missionally, remembering that we’re ‘better together’? What role does accountability play in this process?

📣Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of community and the example of Jesus, who showed us how to serve, love, and seek the lost with compassion and grace. Help us to carry His spirit into our daily lives, to reach out to those around us with open hearts and willing hands. May we be ever mindful of Your call to be better together, to support and uplift one another, and to extend Your love to those who need it most. Guide our steps as we look for ways to bless others, and grant us the courage to share Your story with joy and humility. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

📣 Call to Action

✅ Think about or write down: What stood out to you?
✅ Share: Invite someone to join this devotional!
✅ Prayer Requests: Need prayer? Let us know! 🙏 Submit Your Prayer Request

🔔 See you next week for another powerful devotional!

Watch Further Sermons CLICK HERE

📚 Small Group Guide

Our Bunbury Church Small Group Guide extends the weekly devotional into focused discussions, offering practical support and deeper exploration of God’s word for those eager to grow in Christ.

Small Group Guide: Living Like Jesus – Better Together

Opening Activity:
Share a time when someone’s presence made a difficult situation easier for you. How did their support impact you?

Key Takeaways:
1. We are better together – having supportive people around us can make challenges seem less daunting.
2. Jesus chose to include others in his mission, teaching us the importance of community.
3. Jesus’ purpose was to serve, seek the lost, and connect with people where they were.
4. Living like Jesus means reaching outward to others while also growing upward in our relationship with God.

Discussion Questions:
1. How does having supportive people around you affect your ability to face challenges?

2. Why do you think Jesus chose to include disciples in his ministry when he could have accomplished his mission alone?

3. The sermon mentioned three aspects of Jesus’ mission from Scripture. Which one resonates with you the most and why?
a. To serve and give his life as a ransom (Mark 10:45)
b. To seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)
c. To be a friend of tax collectors and sinners (Luke 7:34)

4. How can we balance reaching out to others with deepening our own relationship with God?

5. What are some ways we can be “missionaries” in our own community, like the couple who organized tennis nights?

6. Discuss the BLESS model mentioned in the sermon. Which aspect do you find most challenging? Which comes most naturally to you?
B – Begin with prayer
L – Listen with care
E – Eat together
S – Serve in love
S – Share your story

Practical Applications:
1. This week, commit to spending one hour intentionally blessing others. Share your plans with the group and report back next time.

2. Identify one or two people in your life who are “far from God.” Commit to praying for them regularly and look for opportunities to connect with them.

3. Plan a meal or social activity where you can invite both Christian and non-Christian friends. Focus on building relationships and listening to others’ stories.

4. Reflect on your daily routines. How can you incorporate more opportunities for connection and service in your everyday life?

Closing Prayer:
Thank God for the example of Jesus and ask for guidance in living out His mission in our daily lives. Pray for opportunities to bless others and for courage to step out of our comfort zones to connect with those who don’t know Christ.