The Way to Greatness

A simple discussion guide to help City Groups process the sermon together and apply it honestly this week.

Sermon

Sermon In a Sentence

In God’s kingdom, true greatness is not gained through status, power, or privilege but through humble service shaped by Jesus, who gave his life as a ransom for many.

Sermon Recap

What We Heard

In Matthew 20, James and John seek places of honor in Jesus’ kingdom, but Jesus exposes how deeply they and the other disciples are still thinking in worldly terms about glory and power. He explains that his kingdom will not come through domination, privilege, or visible success, but through suffering, sacrifice, and service, culminating in his own death as a ransom for sinners. The cross shows that Jesus’ victory looked like loss before it was revealed as triumph, and his resurrection confirms that he came to secure something far greater than earthly position: forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life. Because our glory is secure in Christ, we are freed from chasing recognition and called instead to live as servants who pour ourselves out for others.

Discuss

Questions For Your Group

Where are you most tempted to measure greatness by status, recognition, or control instead of service?
How does Jesus’ death as a ransom reshape what you expect him to give you right now?
What would it look like for you to serve someone this week without needing credit or a visible result?
How does knowing your future is secure in Christ free you to stop grasping for position?

Scripture

Scripture Passage

Matthew 20:20-28

Read full passage

Suffering and Service

20 Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons approached him with her sons. She knelt down to ask him for something.

“What do you want?” he asked her.

21 “Promise,” she said to him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right and the other on your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You don’t know what you’re asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” 22 “We are able,” they said to him.

23 He told them, “You will indeed drink my cup, but to sit at my right and left is not mine to give; instead, it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 When the ten disciples heard this, they became indignant with the two brothers.

25 Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. 26 It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave;

28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Scripture text from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB), used here for church ministry purposes.

Follow Up