1 Peter 5:1-6 | Humble Influencers:
November 9, 2025 / Feather Sound Church1 Peter 5:1-6 Humble Influencers NOTES
Big Idea: True biblical leadership radically redefines authority not as lording over others, but as willingly leading as a servant.
V.1 Peter explains leadership in God’s economy. How do you go from jockeying for a position of greatness to being a usable leader? is the key.
How do I serve as a leader in God’s kingdom:
- (v2b) Right ; not by compulsion or dishonest gain, but willingly. Two opposite errors: Jockeying for a position and being guilted into it. Serve because you get to, not because you have to.
Servility: serving without love or gratitude
| SERVILITY | SERVANTHOOD | |
| SERVES OUT OF: | Obligation
It’s an “I-have-to” kind of attitude |
Obedience from love
It is an “I get to” attitude |
| IS MOTIVATED TO SERVE BY A CONCERN FOR: | What others see
In Servility the motivation is driven by “what will others say if I don’t serve, or if I don’t serve in this ministry, or don’t serve in this way, or don’t commit this kind of time?” |
What God sees
In Servanthood we serve because we have fellowship and communion with God. We understand that ultimately, we have an audience of One and it’s irrelevant if others join us. |
| HAS A MINISTRY MINDSET THAT SAYS: | Me First
Servility wants to advance its own agenda, and is asking “What’s in it for me?” |
Father First
Servants look up and say, “Lord, what would YOU have me do at this time? God, how could my life best honor YOU? (heart of love) |
| SERVES WITH A SPIRIT OF: | Pride
When we serve out of Servility, we look at what we did and say Hey I did that, I have something to offer aren’t I something.” I … I … I … I… I … I … |
Humility
Servanthood says “GOD did that! GOD has given me a Spiritual Gift and has filled me with his Spirit to empower me for the faithful expression of that Gift. GOD has used me to have an impact in a person’s life.” |
| THE RESULTS ARE: | Self Seeking
Believers prompted by Servility try to build up and draw attention to themselves. |
God Glorifying
Servanthood says “Don’t look at me, I am glad to serve you; give God the glory, isn’t he wonderful!” |
- V.3 Right : Not by being lords (masters) but being examples and humble.
- V. 4 Right : We are accountable and will be rewarded accordingly.
V. 5a Submit – “a voluntary attitude of giving in, cooperating, and carrying a burden”. SUB-Mission. Learning to lead starts with learning submission.
V.5b Clothe with humility: The way to submit biblically is in humility. There are two ways to have humility in your life V. 6:
a. yourself- David
b. humbled (Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh, Peter)
Family Corner:
Today in big church, we learned that real leaders aren’t bosses who tell everyone what to do, but humble helpers who serve others, just like Jesus and Peter taught. It’s about taking care of others, not being in charge of them, and doing it because we love God and them.
Family Discussion Questions:
- Can you think of a time when someone was a “humble helper” to you, and how did that make you feel?
- What’s one way our family can be humble helpers to each other or to someone else this week?
Grow Group Questions:
- Can you recall a time in your own leadership or influence (at work, home, church, or community) where a humbling experience shifted your perspective on how you lead or interact with others?
- “Worldly leadership” often focuses on power, prestige, and personal gain, contrasting with Jesus’ call to servant leadership. In what areas of your life do you find yourself most tempted to lead from a “worldly” perspective, and what does servant leadership look like in that specific context?
- Who are the “flocks” in your life (family, friends, colleagues, community members) that God is calling you to actively shepherd with care and intentionality? What change can you make?
- Thinking about your service, what are some indicators in your own heart or actions that might reveal if you are operating from servility rather than genuine servanthood?
- What is one practical step you can take this week to intentionally “clothe yourself with humility” or to be a better example of humble servanthood to those you influence?
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