Part 2 – Servant King
Leader Guide
Christmas can be a time of frustration. Everyone has a plan. Everyone has their own expectations or traditions. Our lives can be lived in a cycle of what I want, deserve, expect...and anger at what did not go as planned. Ego says we should be treated a certain way, and when we’re not, problems arise. Humility is forgiving those who have wronged us and offering them help and healing – like the servant girl, like Jesus. This Christmas season, let’s follow the example of the Servant King who, even though He was above everything, made Himself above nothing for us.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. What do you enjoy most about Christmas? What part of the Christmas season frustrates you?
2. Read 2 Kings 5:1-9. What is the back story of Naaman? Why is he not cast out from society by being a leper? Where did he get a glimmer of hope? Do you think his success played a part in his responses in the rest of the story? Consider: do your successes / your ego influence the way you respond to others?
Leader’s Note: Naaman was a successful commander who also dealt with leprosy. Even though he should have been an outcast, his success allowed him to be accepted by society. He was a bit “above the law” in that way. His little servant girl suggested he see the prophet Elisha who could heal him. Important to note that she was taken captive, probably watched her family being killed, but she gave him good, godly advice.
3. Ego says, “People should treat me a certain way.” Read 2 Kings 5:10-12. How did Naaman wish to be treated? What frustrated Naaman about how and what he was told? What does he proceed to do in verse 12? Consider: When do your expectations make life difficult for you or for others? Conversely, Jesus truly was insulted. He had every right to be offended. What was his response as found in 1 Peter 2:23?
Leader’s Note: After traveling for miles, he is offended by the answer he received from one of Elisha’s massagers. He is offended that he came all this way, brought all these gifts, and Elisha doesn’t even come out to see him. He wishes to be treated like someone of great importance. When he hears a simple answer, his pride rises. He is not only angry but begins to be dismissive and judgmental of the “prescription” for healing he received. He denigrates the Jordan River as a ridiculous idea for a cure. His expectations are the real reason he is offended. Unlike Naaman, Jesus was truly insulted, injured, unjustly condemned and killed. Yet he responded with humility and as a true servant.
4. Ego says, “It should be done my way.” Read the last part of 2 Kings 5:12 again. What did Naaman do/not do? What attitude made him turn away from the prescribed cure and is actually preventing him from being healed? Read Mark 14:36. When faced with a horrible situation, a plan not of His choosing, how did Jesus respond? Do you most often react as Naaman (in indignation and demanding your rights) or like Jesus (humbly obeying the Father and trusting Himself to the ultimate Judge; see 1 Peter 2:23 above)?
Leader’s Note: Naaman is frustrated. He creates expectations in his head before arriving. Culture affirms our expectations and that we have certain rights. Naaman’s pride, and his inability to get in the dirty water just because someone told him to do so, almost kept him from being healed. He did not trust the process, the prophet, or God. Conversely, Jesus faced death and said, “not what I will, but what You will” is what I want. He trusted God to bring about His will. Naaman was ultimately healed because he allowed himself to be convinced and let go of his expectations. He didn’t measure up to Jesus’ humility and obedience (or even the servant girl’s). Yet, listening to his servants and going ahead with Elisha’s instructions, even though he was frustrated, was enough - and that’s good news for us!
4. Ego says, “I’m above certain things.” Read 2 Kings 5:13-14 and Matthew 20:28. What is the perspective of the servants? What is the outcome for Naaman’s obedience? How did Jesus completely refute the idea that He was above certain things? Read Philippians 2:5-8. How or what position/stance do you need to reject?
Leader’s Note: When the servants convinced Naaman that this was not such a hard sacrifice to wash in the river if he could actually be cleaned and healed, he relented. He followed the directions, even if he was right that it was a dirty river, and right that it didn’t seem like much of a cure. He just obeyed. Jesus, in the same way, rejected everything he deserved – honor, glory, power – and did the hard, cruel, dirty work of coming to earth, dying for our sins, because God asked it of Him. He made himself nothing, giving up His privileges and emptying Himself of His God powers, all for us.
5. Read 2 Kings 5:15-16. What is Naaman’s natural response to his healing? How does he try to repay Elisha? How is Elisha’s response like the Lord’s response when we try to pay for our sin or earn salvation? How is the young servant girl a foreshadowing of Jesus’ work in our lives?
Leader’s Note: Naaman is given a gift, but he immediately wants to pay for it. Elisha refused to take payment for something that God had done. Likewise, we are offered the free gift of salvation which we also cannot repay. When we do good works and obey God’s will, even then our works should be produced out of love and gratitude, not out of trying to pay God back from what He’s done for us. This was also a big sacrifice for the little servant girl. Naaman ruined her life. Yet because of her obedience to God, she allowed God to work through her. Naaman received a miracle of forgiveness, care, and healing through her. The other servants were also used to urge him to humility, probably because they were not entitled, used to having things their way, or being valued, heard, or thought highly of when they made their own plans. Jesus says they are the ones who had it figured out.
Leader, you may want to read this quote from the Jesus Story Bible used in the message:
“And so it was that a very sick man was healed –all because of a little servant girl who forgave him.
“God knew sin was like leprosy. It stopped his children's hearts from working properly and in the end it would kill them. Years later, God was going to send another Servant, to forgive as she did —to forgive all of God's children and heal the terrible sickness in their hearts.
“Their hearts were broken. But God can mend broken hearts.”
5. Pray: God, I want to notice my entitled attitudes, and turn from them. I know that we are all created equal, lovely in your sight. We all need healing that only You can give us through the blood of Your Son, Jesus. Help me release my plans, my expectations, my rights... and be ready to receive from You or to serve as You lead me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
7. What attributes of the coming Servant King do you find in these Old Testament passages? In your opinion, were they fulfilled by Jesus, the Messiah?
a. Read Isaiah 49:3-7.
b. Read Isaiah 53.
8. What attributes does Jesus display? What principles did He teach us to apply to our lives?
a. Read John 13:1-17.
b. Read Mark 10:35-45.
c. Read Luke 22:24-27.
d. Read Matthew 20:26-28.
e. Read 1 Peter 2:22-23.
f. Read Hebrews 2:17-18.