Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 7
The speaker says lowliness is not self-hate but refusing to see yourself “over the crowd,” and ties greatness to being a “deacon… the church donkey”; in what specific settings (decision-making, conversations, ministry roles) do you most subtly still seek to be served rather than to serve?
Another way to ask: In what situations do you secretly want others to serve you instead of you serving them (like in meetings, conversations, or ministry jobs)? Where do you most want to be seen as “above the crowd”?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the transcript, seeking to be served shows up when we assume our perspective should dominate, when we resist inconvenience, or when we measure “greatness” by being listened to rather than by serving. Lowliness means intentionally “bumping ourselves down” and taking the posture of a servant—even a “church donkey”—for the good of others.
- Lowliness is not devaluing yourself (“Oh, I’m just no good”), but “bring ourselves back down to where we ought to be.”
- Key mindset: I am “not any more special than anybody else… everybody else is just as… worthy as we are.”
- He says we should “tend to bump ourselves down… instead of trying to keep ourselves where we can see over the crowd.”
- Jesus’ teaching: greatness is humility—“as little children… the same is the greatest.”
- Leadership redefined: “whosoever will be great… let him be your minister… dekanos… Deacons are the church donkey.”
- Jesus’ model: “not to be ministered unto but to minister… give his life.”