Lesson 100: The Expectations of a Slave (Luke 17:7-10)

There has always been something in humanity that wants to kick against authority, and perhaps we desire that independence today more than ever. We are very tuned into our “rights,” and have sometimes turned equality into something that ends up confusing our ideas about roles, responsibilities, and just rewards. This transfers directly into how we interact with God and the ways in which we view His authority and our submission. Jesus corrects some of this wrong thinking and teaches us what our true place is as “unworthy servants” before our worthy and righteous God. Pastor Daniel encourages us to think through what are the wrong expectations of a slave and what are the correct ones. Wrong expectations include, 1) we should be served, and 2) we should be praised. Realistic expectations help us to grow in our understanding that 1) humility should be created within us, 2) obedience should increase, 3) we will be reminded of who we represent, 4) we should increase in faithfulness and perseverance, and 5) our self-perception will change.

Summary by Seth Kempf, Bethany Community Church Staff