Servants, Not Superstars

1 Corinthians 3:5–4:21

May 10, 2026

Family Devotional

The world often treats leadership like being the boss, getting attention, or being the most important person in the room. But Paul teaches the Corinthians that Christian leadership looks completely different. Leaders in God’s kingdom are servants who help others grow closer to Jesus. 

Paul reminds the church that no leader is the hero—God is. Paul planted seeds, Apollos watered them, but God caused the growth. Every believer has a role to play, and those roles are meant to work together instead of competing against one another. 

Paul also warns about building our identity around our position, popularity, or success. When our identity is secure in being God’s children, we are free to serve others humbly without needing constant praise or approval. Paul could handle criticism and hardship because he cared more about what God thought than what people thought. 

Following Jesus means choosing the way of the cross instead of the way of pride. The world says, “Make yourself important.” Jesus says, “Serve others.” True greatness is found in humility, sacrifice, and faithfulness. 

 

Read Together 

  • 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
  • 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
  • 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
  • 1 Corinthians 4:14-17

Talk About It

Preschool Questions
  1. Who makes people grow spiritually—Paul or God?
  2. What is a servant?
  3. How did Jesus serve people?
  4. Can you help someone this week?
  5. Why is every person in the church important?
 
Elementary Age Questions
  1. Why were the Corinthians arguing about leaders?
  2. What does Paul mean when he says he planted and Apollos watered?
  3. Why is it dangerous to think we are more important than others?
  4. What gifts has God given different people in your family or church?
  5. How can you be a servant leader at school or at home?

Preteen Questions
  1. Why do people sometimes want leadership for the wrong reasons?
  2. What happens when someone’s identity is based only on being successful or important?
  3. Why do you think Paul cared more about God’s opinion than people’s opinions?
  4. What does it mean that the church is God’s temple together?
  5. How does following Jesus challenge the way our culture thinks about power and popularity?

Teen Questions
  1. How does culture define leadership differently than Jesus does?
  2. Why is servant leadership difficult in a world focused on status and self-promotion?
  3. How can leadership become an idol even in church ministry?
  4. What does healthy confidence look like versus pride or insecurity?
  5. In what ways are you tempted to seek approval from people more than faithfulness to God?
  6. How does the cross reshape our understanding of influence, success, and authority?

Questions for the Whole Family
  1. Who is someone you know that models servant leadership well?
  2. What role has God given each person in our family?
  3. How can we encourage one another instead of competing?
  4. What would change if we cared more about pleasing God than impressing people?
  5. How can our family serve others this week?

Family Activity

Take turns serving one another in simple ways tonight:
  • Clean up without being asked
  • Let someone else choose the game or movie
  • Write encouragement notes
  • Pray for one another
  • Help a sibling or parent with a task

Afterward, talk about:
  • Was serving easy or difficult?
  • How did it feel to put someone else first?
  • How does serving help us become more like Jesus?

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for showing us what true leadership looks like. Help us to serve others with humility instead of trying to make ourselves important. Remind us that our identity is found in being Your children, not in our success or popularity. Teach our family to work together, encourage one another, and build Your church faithfully. Help us care more about pleasing You than impressing people. Amen.