Servant’s Heart

Start this lesson with Silly Server, a fun and active game to get everyone thinking about what it means to serve. In this game, players take turns carrying a tray of balls across the room as quickly as possible without dropping them. The goal is to see who can serve the fastest while still keeping everything balanced. Some may rush and drop their load, while others may take their time and keep everything steady. To see the full instructions, visit Silly Server – A Serving Game.

After the game, take a few minutes to talk about how it went:

• Who was the fastest server?
• Who dropped the most balls?
• Which worked better for your team—slow and steady or fast and furious?

It is fun to pretend to be a server in a game and see who does the best job. But in real life, serving is not a competition. Serving God is something we are all called to do, and it is not about being the fastest or the best. It is about having the right heart and attitude.

Some people think serving God means doing big things, like becoming a priest or going on mission trips. But God calls each of us to serve Him in everyday ways. We serve God when we help others, when we obey His commands, and when we put Him first in our lives. It is not about getting attention or praise—it is about doing what is right because we love Him.

As we go into today’s lesson, think about your role as a servant of God. Do you sometimes rush ahead, trying to do things your own way? Or do you take the time to listen to what God is asking of you? Serving God is not about speed—it is about faithfulness and trust. Let’s explore what Jesus teaches us about having a servant’s heart.

Luke 17:5-10 (The Master and the Servant) – the Gospel Reading for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year C

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

“Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’?

Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’? Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?

So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

Luke 17:5-10

Who Is the Master?

Imagine you and your friends go out to eat at your favorite restaurant. You sit down, look at the menu, and get ready to order. Then the waiter comes over, pulls out a chair, and sits down at your table. He looks at you and says, “I’d like a burger, fries, and a drink.” That would be strange, right? The waiter is supposed to serve you, not the other way around!

This is what Jesus is talking about in the parable of the master and the servant. A servant does not expect the master to serve him. He knows his role is to do the work he was given. And when the job is done, he does not demand a reward or special recognition. He simply did what was expected. Jesus is reminding us that we are servants of God. We are here to serve Him, not to expect Him to serve us.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains it this way:

“God created everything for man, but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to him.” (CCC 358)

We are not the masters here. We are the servants. St. Ignatius of Loyola put it this way:

“God created human beings to praise, reverence, and serve God, and by doing this, to save their souls. God created all other things on the face of the earth to help fulfill this purpose.” (First Principle and Foundation, Spiritual Exercises)

Do We Treat God Like a Servant?

Even though we know we are supposed to be serving God, sometimes we act as if He should be serving us. We might ignore Him for weeks, barely praying or thinking about Him. But then, when we need something, we suddenly start asking for favors. Maybe we have a big test coming up, and we pray, “God, please help me pass this test, and I promise I’ll start praying every day.” Or maybe we want to make the soccer team, so we say, “God, if You help me make the cut, I’ll go to Mass every Sunday.”

There is nothing wrong with asking God for help. In fact, He wants us to bring our needs to Him. But we must remember that God is not a vending machine that gives us what we want in exchange for a few prayers. Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy will be done.” This means that when we ask for something, we should also trust that God knows what is best for us. If things do not go the way we want, we should not get upset or stop praying. Instead, we should humbly accept His plan.

Other Ways We Get It Backwards

Sometimes, without realizing it, we put ourselves in the role of the master instead of the servant. Here are a few ways we might do this:

• Using faith to feel superior: We might look down on others who do not share our beliefs or who struggle with their faith. But faith is not about making ourselves look better. Serving God means loving others, not judging them.
• Feeling proud of our good deeds: When we do something kind or helpful, we may feel like we deserve special praise. But everything we have comes from God, including our talents and abilities. Serving God means using what He has given us for His glory, not our own.
• Thinking we are the ones saving people: Maybe we invite a friend to church, and they start coming regularly. It is easy to think, “I really saved them.” But only God can change hearts. Our job is to introduce people to Him, not take credit for what He does.

Serving God is our true purpose. It is not always easy, and it does not always bring rewards in the way we expect. But when we serve God with a humble heart, we grow closer to Him. He leads us, teaches us, and shapes us into the people He created us to be.

So, as you go through your daily life, ask yourself: Am I serving God, or am I expecting Him to serve me? When we put God first, we discover that true joy comes not from getting what we want, but from giving ourselves to Him completely.

Small group discussions help youth reflect on their faith and learn from each other. Encourage everyone to share openly, but remind them to respect different opinions. There are no “wrong” answers, and listening is just as important as speaking. If someone is quiet, invite them to share, but don’t pressure them. Let the conversation flow naturally, and use these questions to guide the discussion.

• Have you ever expected something from God without spending much time in prayer or worship? How did that affect your faith?
• Jesus says we are servants of God. What does that mean in your daily life?
• Have you ever tried to bargain with God, like promising to pray more if He helps you with something? Why do you think we do this?
• Why is it sometimes hard to accept God’s will instead of our own plans?
• How can we serve God in simple ways each day?
• Have you ever felt proud of doing something good? How can we remember that everything we have comes from God?
• Do you ever struggle with putting yourself first instead of putting God first? What helps you refocus on serving God?
• How can we bring others to God while remembering that He is the one who changes hearts?
• What is one change you can make to have more of a servant’s heart?

This week, try to stay focused on serving God, especially when you pray. Instead of making demands or trying to bargain with Him, take a different approach. When you pray, don’t just ask for things you want—ask God what He wants for you. Prayer is not just about getting answers; it’s about building a relationship with Him. Trust that He knows what is best for you, even if His plan looks different from what you expected.

If you catch yourself praying only when you need something, take a moment to thank God instead. Spend time in prayer just listening, without asking for anything. Let God guide your heart and show you where He is leading you. The more you focus on serving God, the more you will see His presence in your life.

Let’s take a moment to pray and ask God to help us have a servant’s heart.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us and calling us to follow You. Sometimes we focus too much on what we want and forget that we are here to serve You. Help us to trust Your plan, even when it is different from our own.

Jesus, You showed us what it means to be a servant. Teach us to be humble, to put others before ourselves, and to seek Your will in everything we do. Give us the strength to serve You with love and not expect rewards or praise.

Holy Spirit, guide us this week as we try to focus on serving God. Help us to pray with open hearts, ready to listen instead of just asking for things. Show us small ways we can serve You each day.

We offer this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Themes

• Faith and Humility: Jesus teaches that faith is about trusting God, not expecting rewards. Serving God means recognizing that we are His servants, not His masters. True faith includes humility and obedience.
• Obedience to God: Following God’s will is not always easy, but it is necessary. Doing what He asks, even when it is difficult, helps us grow in faith. Obedience brings us closer to Him.
• Prayer with Trust: Prayer is not just asking for things. It is about listening to God and accepting His plan. Serving God includes trusting His answers, even when they are not what we expect.
• Avoiding Selfishness: Faith is not about using God to get what we want. Instead of focusing on ourselves, we should seek His will. A servant’s heart puts God first.
• Using Our Gifts: Everything we have is from God. Serving God means using our talents to help others and honor Him. We should not take credit for what God has given us.
• Bringing Others to God: Helping others grow in faith is important. But we must remember that God is the one who saves, not us. A true servant points people to God, not to themselves.
• Serving Without Praise: A true servant does not look for recognition. Serving God is about doing what is right, not seeking approval. We serve because it is our duty, not for rewards.
• Putting God First: It is easy to focus on our own needs and forget God. Making Him our priority helps us live as true disciples. We must seek His will in all things.
• Learning from Jesus: Jesus showed us how to serve through His actions. He humbled Himself and put others first. Serving God means following His example.
• Trusting in God’s Plan: Sometimes we want things to go our way. But real faith means accepting His plan, even when we do not understand it. His way is always best.

Background Material

Jesus teaches that being His disciple means having a servant’s heart. He says in Luke 22:26, “Let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.” This reminds us that following Christ is not about power or recognition. It is about humility and putting others before ourselves. Serving God means living in a way that honors Him and follows His will.

The Bible gives many examples of people who served God with faith. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, showed this when she said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord” (Luke 1:38). She accepted God’s plan without hesitation. Jesus Himself gave the ultimate example of service when He washed the feet of His disciples. He told them, “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do” (John 13:15). Serving God means following these examples and living with a heart willing to serve.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that we are created to love and serve God. It says, “God created everything for man, but man in turn was created to serve and love God and to offer all creation back to him” (CCC 358). This means our lives are not just about our own goals and desires. We are meant to use our gifts for God’s glory and to help others. When we serve God, we become part of His plan for the world.

Sometimes people think faith is only about asking God for help. But Jesus reminds us that true disciples serve without expecting rewards. In Luke 17:10, He says, “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’” This means we should not expect praise for doing what is right. Serving God is our duty, not something extra.

Pope Francis often speaks about serving God through caring for others. He says, “Service is the sign of true love. Those who love, serve, and give themselves”. This means love is not just words—it is action. We serve God when we help the poor, comfort the suffering, and care for those in need. Matthew 25:40 tells us that when we serve others, we serve Christ: “Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Serving God also means trusting Him. We may not always understand His plans, but we must follow Him with faith. In Proverbs 3:5, we are told, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding.” When we serve God with trust, He guides us in the right direction.

Living with a servant’s heart brings us closer to God. It helps us grow in faith and love. By following Christ’s example, we learn that true joy comes from serving, not from seeking our own way. Serving God is not always easy, but it is the path to holiness and peace.

Music Suggestions

• King of My Heart by Greg Walton
• These Alone Are Enough by Dan Schutte
• The Servant Song by Richard Gillard

More Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections

Looking for more ways to engage youth in their faith? Our Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections page offers free resources for teachers, youth ministers, and catechists. These lessons help young people grow in their relationship with God through scripture, discussion, and activities.

Whether you need a lesson for a youth group, a religious education class, or a family discussion, you’ll find ideas to fit your needs. Explore topics like discipleship, prayer, and serving God. Visit Youth Ministry Lesson Plans and Reflections to find free, ready-to-use materials.