Date: August 2, 2026
Session Title: A Servant’s Heart
The Point: Serve Christ with eternity in mind.
Podcast—Bible Studies for Life: Adults
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Additional Teaching Options
Optional teaching ideas that incorporate current news, cultural trends, and real-world illustrations to help your group engage more deeply and view today’s issues through a clear biblical lens.
Getting Started
Read after discussing Getting Started—Question 1:
What motivates you to work with excellence/serve Christ with eternity in mind
IndyCar has announced the start time for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix set to happen on the streets of Washington, D.C. on August 23. This is the first race of its kind in the nation’s capitol, and the route will take drivers past some of the most iconic monuments in the city. The qualifying race will be held the evening of August 22 after two practice runs. Current series champion Alex Palou, Indy 500 champion Felix Rosenqvist, and Team Penske’s David Malukas are expected to compete and were at the White House to meet the president and join in pit stop practice.
These racers are some of the best at what they do, and their excellence must be on display during the practice runs and qualifying race if they want to compete in the Freedom 250. Their desire to be the best and competitive nature motivates them to be in their best form, hopeful to be the winner. Just as a sense of competition, and a nice trophy, push these racers to pursue excellence, believers should pursue excellence as a reflection of God’s work in their lives. We can best serve His kingdom when we focus on doing all things to the best of our ability so that His goodness shows in us.
To learn more about this article, search “Freedom 250 2026” or Freedom 250 Grand Prix Washington, DC.”
Get Into the Study
Read after discussing Study the Bible—Question 2:
What are some ways you’ve seen God use others to grow His kingdom?
In January, Nick Walburn and his wife were able to attend IMB’s Missions College training event while they were placed in the States as missionaries. During the event, Nick connected with a group of Hispanic pastors, including Pastor Zoro, who is lead pastor at a Hispanic Southern Baptist Church in North Carolina. Zoro invited Nick to join him on an upcoming mission trip to a southern region in Mexico, where they would minister in the area along with local pastors and churches.
Over the course of the week-long trip, Nick and Zoro trained the pastors in easy-to-learn and effective evangelism efforts, while making sure to also put the training into practice. Due to their efforts, twenty-two people accepted the gospel for the first time or recommitted to God.
God used Nick, Zoro, and the churches in Mexico to grow His kingdom. They were obedient to leave their homes and share the gospel with people who needed to be saved or recommitted to God. Even if some Christians may never receive a formal call to missions, all Christians are called to grow God’s kingdom by sharing the gospel with the people around them.
To learn more about this article, visit IMB.org and search “Faithful prayer and witness lead to 22 gospel responses in Mexico.”
Get Into the Study (Option for Adult Leader Guide)
In advance, play a video clip showing a famous celebrity (who’s not controversial). Then ask Question 1.
Study the Bible (Option for Adult Leader Guide)
In advance, play a song that speaks of our reward in heaven. Use the time for meditation and invitation as you challenge the group to keep our goal of honoring Christ in mind as we serve.
Study the Bible (Option for the Daily Discipleship Guide)
As a follow-up to 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, play a song about Christ as our foundation, such as “Firm Foundation,” “Build My Life,” or “In Christ Alone” to give the group an opportunity to consider what foundation they’re building on. Invite them to listen for lyrics that highlight what it means to build on Christ. Afterward, encourage them to thank God for being their firm foundation, ask for strength to build faithfully, and invite Him to reveal any areas where they’ve been building on something else.
The week’s writer for Extra is Emily Duncan. Emily is a Southern California native who lives in west Georgia with her husband and daughter. God saved her from Wicca when she was sixteen while at a youth retreat. Emily’s a member of Midway Church in Villa Rica and mentors young women as they transition from high school to college.
[Linked material and sources serve as background illustration only and does not imply endorsement beyond our biblical application.]
Additional Questions
Optional, thoughtfully crafted questions designed to warm up group conversation and guide engagement throughout each Bible passage—helping your group think critically, connect personally, and process Scripture through a clear biblical lens.
Icebreakers
- When have you been rewarded for a job well done?
- Who was a role model for you growing up? Why?
- How do you think celebrity worship has changed through the years?
1 Corinthians 3:5-8. Serve where God has placed you.
- What do these verses teach us about our role in evangelism and discipleship?
- Why do you think it was important for Paul to describe himself and Apollos as servants?
- How can comparisons prevent us from fulfilling our roles as God’s servants?
1 Corinthians 3:9-11. Serve by keeping the focus on the foundation of Christ.
- What are some of the faulty foundations churches or individual believers build on?
- What does it practically look like to keep Jesus as the foundation of all you do?
- Who is an example of humble service built on the right foundation?
1 Corinthians 3:12-15. Serve to impact eternity.
- How does the idea of being “tested by fire” impact the way you live and work?
- How would you describe the things that will (or that won’t) survive the fire?
- What practical steps can we take to make sure we are serving and building with materials that will survive God’s testing?
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