Embracing Servant Leadership: The Power of Serving Others

When we think of leadership, we often picture someone in charge, giving orders and making decisions. In part 1 of this series we are going to look at embracing servant leadership. But Jesus flipped that idea upside down when He said:

“But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” – Matthew 20:26 (NLT)

Servant leadership is one of the most powerful ways to reach people. When you serve others, they see your humility. They see you care. And sometimes, they even see God at work.

A group of church members joyfully cooking meals in a large community kitchen, preparing food in trays, stirring pots, and packaging meals for the homeless. — Serving others with love—one meal at a time.

Serving Others is Showing Christ

I remember a time when I was working with our youth group, and we had the chance to live out servant leadership firsthand.

An elderly lady in our church was struggling to keep up with her yard work. She simply couldn’t do it anymore. So we showed up.

The youth group went to her house and got to work—weeding flower beds, raking leaves, and picking up fallen branches. The kids had a great time doing it. They laughed, they worked hard, and they enjoyed every minute of it.

As I stood on the porch with this dear lady, she had tears in her eyes. She turned to me and said:

“I saw God on earth this morning.”

That moment stuck with me. It was a reminder that when we serve, people don’t just see us—they see Him.

A young man stands in the rain holding an umbrella over an elderly woman while getting wet himself. The woman looks up at him with gratitude as they stand on a city sidewalk with blurred lights in the background. — True leadership shines in small acts of kindness.

A Heart That Gives is a Heart That Impacts

That following Wednesday night at youth group, the kids got a surprise. Pizza and ice cream were delivered to the church from the same lady. She wanted to express her gratitude for the servant leadership she had witnessed at her home. Boy did those kids love that surprise!

She didn’t just see kids doing yard work. She saw Christ at work through them.

Paul wrote in Galatians 5:13 (NLT):

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”

Jesus, wearing a simple robe, kneels to wash the feet of His disciple in a dimly lit room with warm candlelight. Other disciples watch in awe, symbolizing servant leadership and Christ’s humility. — If Jesus, the King of Kings, served others—how much more should we?

Leading by Serving

Jesus, the Son of God, knelt to wash the feet of His disciples (John 13:14-15, NLT). He could have demanded honor, but instead, He chose humility. That is the example we are called to follow.

When you serve, people see humility.
When you serve, people see love.
When you serve, people see Jesus.

This week, look for one way you can serve someone. It doesn’t have to be big. It just has to come from the heart. Because when you serve, you lead.

A kind person kneels on the side of the road, changing a flat tire for an elderly woman. She watches with gratitude as cars pass by in the background under the golden light of the setting sun. — True leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about serving wherever you are.

What’s Next?

This is Part 1 of our Leading Like Christ series. Stay tuned for Part 2: Leading by Example.

Discover our other blog series here: https://discipleblueprint.com/blog-2/