Kernan Community Groups
Sermon Discussion Guide
May 31, 2026
Matthew: Free to Serve
Matthew 20:20-28
Matthew 20:20-28
[20] Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. [21] And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” [22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” [23] He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” [24] And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. [25] But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [26] It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, [28] even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Let’s start with some context questions. Who are the sons of Zebedee?
Why do you think they got their mom to ask Jesus for them?
What did Salome and her sons have in mind when they asked for a special seat next to Jesus?
Why were the other disciples so angry at James and John?
:
There are two contrasting powers at work here. One power enslaves, the other frees.
1. The Enslaving Power of Self-Glory
Everyone wants to be considered a great person. What are some common ways we measure ourselves to determine if we are doing great in life?
Is it possible to care too much about good endeavors (such as some of the examples we just named)? If so, what might that look like?
When a good thing becomes an ultimate thing, we have turned it into an idol we cannot live without. At the deepest level, this is a pursuit of self-glory.
Genesis 3:4-5
[4] But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. [5] For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
As the Garden of Eden episode demonstrates, what is the greatest temptation for humanity?
Living for our own self-glory is the deepest motivation for every selfish thing we do. Why is this so hard to recognize in ourselves?
Jesus told James and John, “you do not know what you are asking.” This means there was a huge blindspot in their spiritual self-awareness. What are some things we can do to better know ourselves and our pursuits of self-glory?
If you don’t think you have a self-glory problem, that’s a sure sign that you do.
1 John 1:8-9
[8] If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
2. The Freeing Power of Serving Others
Matthew 20:26-27
[26] It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,
How is Jesus’ definition of greatness different from the world’s?
Matthew 20:28
[28] even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Only when our hearts are captivated by God’s glory will we be free to love and serve others.
3. How can we better serve our communities?
Kernan Core Value #4:
We serve the needs of others before our own.
1. How can we better serve our family members?
2. How can we better serve our church?
