Sisters: The Call Bible Study - Week 2

Called to Greatness by Washing Feet

Scripture References

Primary text

• Mark 9:35

Other references

• Hebrews 7:25
• Romans 8
• Hebrews 12
• Colossians 3:23
• Luke 10

Overview

We are not asked to become the “greatest” in the way the world measures greatness; Jesus says real greatness comes through serving. Using Mark 9:35 and the picture of Him washing His disciples’ feet, the discussion explores God’s own servant-heart, our motives for everyday service, and how love chooses unexpected, relationship-focused acts rather than grudging chores.

Main Points

We all long to be great, but Jesus redefines greatness

• Opening picture: moms on the panel recall wanting to be superstar dancers, singers, gymnasts, even Beyoncé.

• Illustration: Like the disciples arguing about who was the greatest, we often chase personal glory.

“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last and the servant of all.”

• Greatness in Christ = washing feet.

God is the ultimate servant

• Jesus kneels to wash feet, then gives His life on the cross—the clearest portrait of love in action.
• Even now He serves:
  • Hebrews 7:25—He “always lives to intercede” for us.
  • Romans 8—The Holy Spirit prays when we don’t know how.
• Every divine attribute (Helper, Defender, Refuge) shows His servant nature.

Motivations that free us to serve with joy

• Hebrews 12—Jesus endured “for the joy set before Him”; keeping our eyes on that joy guards us from grudging service.
• Colossians 3:23—Whatever we do, we do “as unto the Lord.”
• Personal reflections:
  • Story: One mom with four children under four felt her heart harden after endless diaper changes until she remembered Christ’s joyful sacrifice.
  • Story: Another drives to church dreading the crowd, yet leaves energized each week because God uses one-on-one moments.

Serve people, not just jobs

• Key thought: “A great servant focuses on the relationship, not on the task.”
• Luke 10—Martha worked hard but compared, complained, and missed Jesus’ presence; Mary chose relational closeness.
• When the person matters more than the checklist, we gladly go the extra mile (second mile, extra coat, turned cheek).

Love does the unexpected

• Panel examples:
  • Story: A surprise note—“I’m praying for you”—left on a desk at just the right moment.
  • Story: A friend brought dinner to a mom on bedrest, then sat by her bedside and rubbed her swollen feet for 30 minutes.
• Listening to Holy Spirit promptings turns ordinary service into surprising grace for others.

Key Truths

• Jesus equates real greatness with becoming “the servant of all.”
• God’s ongoing intercession shows that serving originates in His own nature.
• Joy—both Christ’s and ours—empowers willing, not begrudging, service.
• Focusing on people rather than tasks transforms chores into love.
• Unexpected acts of kindness reveal Jesus more loudly than routine duty.

Response

• Invite Jesus to reshape your definition of greatness around servanthood.
• Serve your family’s mundane needs with joy, remembering His joy set before you.
• Listen for Holy Spirit nudges and act on them immediately.
• Approach each task “as unto the Lord,” aiming at one real person, not a crowd.
• Look for creative, unexpected ways to bless someone this week.

Closing

Greatness is ours—but only by taking the towel and basin Jesus took first. As we keep our eyes on His joyful, ongoing service toward us, we can lay down competition, comparison, and resentment and let love move our hands and feet.

“Serving isn’t what we do; it’s who we are.”

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, we give You thanks. We are so blessed that You are our wonderful and great servant. Thank You—though we don’t deserve it, in Your love You’ve laid down everything to serve us. Father, we want to be like You, a great servant. Thank You so much for showing us the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”