Seven Chosen to Serve

Seven Chosen to Serve

To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here.

Introduction 

Last week, we talked about the story of Ananias and Sapphira and how we should live with integrity to share Jesus with the world.  

During the “Apply” section last week, everyone was encouraged to write down specific action steps they will work on throughout the week. Take a few minutes to discuss how everyone has been active in their application steps from last week. 

This week we will be discussing the story of the seven people chosen to serve their community as the followers of Jesus grew in number. 

First, begin your meeting in prayer for God’s blessing over this time with your group. 

Connect  

  • Who’s someone you know that’s really good at making others feel seen and included? 
    • What helps you pick up on when someone might be feeling left out or overlooked? 

Opening Thought 

The most meaningful things we do are often less noticed. These moments might not draw attention, but they matter. They create space for people to feel cared for, seen, and valued. When we each do our part, even in small ways, we help build the kind of community where no one falls through the cracks. God invites us to look for ways to do this so we can reflect His heart, as well as shape us into the kind of people he wants us to become.  

This leads us to our main idea for this week:  

Main idea for the week

We can meet the needs of others by using the gifts God has given us

Here’s where we are this week 

Jesus’ teachings are now spreading quickly and the amount of people who are following Jesus has vastly grown since the disciples first received the Holy Spirit. This caused opposition from the religious leaders at the time, but also a tight-knit community between the disciples. At the same time, the disciples are all sharing everything they have. The combination of these two factors means that there are many more people to care for and, unfortunately, some people are beginning to get overlooked.  

Unpack 

Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses: 

Read  

Acts 6:1-7 

Unpack 

The people in these verses who were not being well-cared for were widows of the “Greek-speaking believers”.  

  • Who do you think is overlooked or not well-cared for in our churches today?  
    • Why do you think these people fall through the cracks in our communities? 
      • What do you think the role of the church is when it comes to caring for those with more challenging circumstances? 
    • How do you think the church today can work to ensure fair treatment and justice for all its members?  
  • What does the apostles’ approach to resolving the complaint in these verses teach about how we should work with other believers? 
  • Why do you think the apostles believed it was more important for them to focus on prayer and teaching rather than distributing food? 
    • What do you think this says about the importance of finding your role within the church? How can we figure out how long we are meant to fill our roles? 
  • How do you think the appointment of the seven people in this story should influence our approach to meeting the needs of our communities? 
    • Why do you think it was important for the seven people to be “well respected” as well as “full of the Spirit and wisdom”? 
      • What does this show about how involved these people must have already been in their community? Why is this important?  
      • How does this emphasize the importance of community and servant leadership within the church? 
  • What can we learn from the rapid growth of the Church following the appointment of the seven men? 

Apply 

Take a moment to discuss these questions, based on the verses above, as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

  • How will you try to meet the needs of the overlooked people in your community starting this week? 
  • How will you use your strengths or availability to serve others this week? How will you look for ways you can do this outside of your normal weekly rhythm? 
  • How will we as a group help fill any needed roles in our church community? 

Closing Thought 

Read the first section to your group, then read the verse out loud to the group, and finally, move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

It’s easy to miss the small moments showing a person you care, whether it just be a quick check-in or simply noticing someone who feels overlooked. These moments are the spaces where something deeper takes root, though. When we’re paying attention and are willing to step into a need, we can help create the kind of community where everyone has a place. God invites us into that kind of work, not to do everything, but to do our part to meet the needs of others and help people come to follow Jesus. 

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Thematic Reflection Verse for the Week  

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization through the week. 

1 Peter 4:10 

“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: 1 Corinthians 14:12 

Day 2: Romans 12:11 

Day 3: Hebrews 3:13 

Day 4: Colossians 3:23-24 

Day 5: 1 Peter 4:8 

Day 6: Proverbs 17:17 

info@journeyoffaith.com

(424) 327-6500

1243 Artesia Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Facebook Instagram Youtube Shield-alt

PAUL & HOLLY ZWIERZYNSKI

  • Translating the Bible Support
  • North Carolina

Paul and Holly Zwierzynski serve at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they support Bible translation efforts around the world. Paul specializes in solar power and computer networking. He helps missionaries use low-power computers in remote areas and sets up reliable internet connections using tools like satellite and radio links. His work has supported over 180 field sites, allowing translation teams to collaborate across long distances. Holly works in the translation office as a project assistant. She helps develop Old Testament translation guides and reference materials used by Bible translators worldwide. Before moving to North Carolina, Paul and Holly served in Cameroon, where their passion for this work first began.

JERRY & BETH TUCKER

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Southern California

Jerry and Beth help prepare new missionaries for the field by leading orientation, providing training, building teams, and offering mentorship during the first year of overseas service. They serve with Wycliffe, a Bible translation organization, and bring years of experience to this important work. Their work began in 1995 in the Philippines, where they served as dorm parents and teachers. Both Jerry and Beth grew up at Journey of Faith, and the church has been supporting their ministry for 30 years. They remain committed to serving for many years to come.

TOM SHECK

  • Youth Development
  • South Bay

 Tom serves as the South Bay Director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His goal is to see lives changed through the influence of athletes and coaches on middle school and high school campuses. FCA focuses on values like integrity, serving, teamwork, and excellence. The ministry equips students and coaches to grow in their faith and lead others by starting small group gatherings on campus, known as “Huddles.” These groups become places of encouragement, leadership, and spiritual growth within the school community.

CODY & LEXI SCRIVENS

  • Meeting Community and Church Needs
  • Dublin, Ireland

 Cody and Lexie are serving in Ireland, partnering with a local church to build relationships and share the message of Jesus. Their work takes place in a culture shaped by both deep religious tradition and growing secularism. Navigating this tension is challenging, especially in light of Ireland’s complex religious history, but they remain committed to reaching people who often feel distant from faith.

BRYAN & JACINDA MARTIN

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Philippines

 The Martin family is planting churches in the Philippines through World Team. One of the key ways they serve is by caring for creation. They work with vulnerable communities that are struggling as natural resources become scarce. By teaching sustainable practices for managing the environment, they help meet practical needs while also creating space to share about God’s design for humanity and introduce people to the Creator.

BARBARA LEE

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • San Diego, CA

Barbara supports missionary families by helping their children access quality education and navigate the many transitions that come with cross-cultural life. She currently leads the Indonesia MK (Missionary Kid) Care and Education Team, providing guidance, resources, and support for families across the region. In late 2025, she will join the U.S.-based MK Care and Education Team, where she will train new missionaries, equip education consultants, offer academic testing, and provide personalized educational help for families preparing to serve.

K & L

  • Starting New Churches
  • Southeast Asia

L and K are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia. They also lead a growing team that has expanded from 11 to 22 units since the pandemic, increasing their reach and impact in the region.

TIM & ERICKA HARRIS

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Oregon

 Tim and Ericka Harris understand the preparation, training, and lifelong commitment it takes to serve in missions. Their work has included cross-cultural ministry throughout Latin America, including eight years living and serving in Costa Rica with their family. Out of a desire to support those serving in demanding ministry roles, they provide pastoral care to missionaries, pastors, and ministry leaders around the world. Through their R.E.S.T. initiative—Retreat, Encouragement, Safety, and Transformation—they offer spaces for leaders on every major continent to step away, recharge, and return to their work with renewed strength and clarity.

MARK & BRENDA HALL

  • Starting New Churches
  • Guadalajara, Mexico

Mark and Brenda Hall moved to Guadalajara, Mexico, in 2018, where Mark now serves as a teaching pastor at English Fellowship. The church brings together people from different cultures, backgrounds, and denominations, serving both international residents and Mexican nationals living in the city for work. Although their focus is now in Mexico, they remain connected to their previous work in Guatemala, where they spent 18 years investing in the lives of young people. Their move to Guadalajara opens new doors to build relationships, support the local community, and share the message of Jesus in meaningful and relevant ways.

RICH FRAZER

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Nepal and North India

The Fraziers serve with an organization called SOS, which stands for Spiritual Overseers Service International. Rick serves as the president and helps lead the organization’s three core objectives. The first is evangelism, which focuses on spreading the message of Jesus. The second is discipleship, aimed at strengthening the global Church. And the third is compassion, which means meeting the physical and spiritual needs of fellow believers. The Fraziers train Christian leaders and partner with Tabernacle Ministries in Nepal and North India. Through this work, SOS is mentoring more than 100 leaders who are reaching urban migrants with God’s love.

MARK & LISA DENEUI

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • France

 Mark is a Bible teacher focused on the New Testament who trains church leaders and church planters in French-speaking Europe. Lisa teaches English as a Foreign Language and French, using her skills to build relationships and serve the local community while sharing her faith. Together, Mark and Lisa serve with a network of church plants in the city of Strasbourg. They are committed to making Christ’s love known by partnering with the local French church to love their neighbors, share the gospel, and disciple new believers.

D & J

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Southeast Asia

D and J are building relationships with an unreached people group in Southeast Asia. Their hope is to see a new community of believers grow through intentional disciple-making and personal connection.

JOSEPH BRADFORD IV

  • Meeting Community Needs
  • Los Angeles, CA

Joseph launched his nonprofit, B.A.R.E. Truth, Inc., in 2018 to serve individuals and families in Los Angeles facing homelessness, food insecurity, and other critical needs. Through mentorship, independent living support, housing assistance, and wellness services, Joseph and his team help people move toward healthier, purpose-filled lives. They also host weekly feeding events on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. B.A.R.E. stands for Balance, Ambition, Respect, and Encouragement.

BILL ANKERBERG

  • Developing Indigenous Pastors
  • Estonia

Bill leads a missions movement in the Nordic-Baltic region, focusing especially on Estonia, where fewer than 2% of people identify as Christian. His work includes supporting church planters, developing local leaders, strengthening compassion ministries, and mentoring pastors and missionaries across both the Baltics and Scandinavia. This ministry began in 2008 and continues to grow in reach and impact.

PAT & BETH ANDREWS

  • Bible Translation
  • Arlington, TX

 Pat serves with Seed Company, a subsidiary of Wycliffe Bible Translators, as Director of Field Projects for the Pacific Region and as a Translation Consultant. He helps oversee translation work in more than 60 languages, coordinating efforts across 11 organizations and 28 internships. Many of Pat’s teams are based in remote island communities, which often presents communication and travel challenges. Even so, Pat makes it a priority to visit his project teams and interns each year.

DENNIS & DENISE AHERN

  • Caring for Christian Workers
  • Washington State

Since 1992, the Aherns have provided counseling and care to missionaries in more than forty countries. They have a deep understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities that come with full-time ministry. Their commitment to supporting ministry workers led them to open a retreat center in Washington state called Selah Glen, where they host and lead pastoral care retreats. Through this work, the Aherns are able to care for those who spend their lives caring for others.

MIGUEL & MARIA ADAME

  • Church Planting
  • Baja Mexico

Pastor Miguel leads a growing church in Mexicali, Mexico, where he and his family have been serving the community since 2013. Their church runs weekly Bible studies, monthly outreach events, and provides a steady, welcoming presence in the neighborhood. In 2024, they opened a free private Christian elementary school that supports students with special needs or who are considered at-risk. Journey of Faith has partnered with this ministry through more than a dozen short-term mission trips.

Add Your Heading Text Here

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.