The Full Extent of His Love

John 13

Today begins a 6-week journey through what is called “The Passion Narrative” in the gospel of John.  Through this last 24+ hours of Jesus’ life we will see and hear some incredible things from the Master.  The setting is the Last Supper—Passover just prior to Jesus’ suffering for us.

Serving on the eve of His suffering:  (John 13:1-17)

• What was Jesus aware of as he went into this Last Supper with His disciples?  How would knowing those things have affected you?
• Whose responsibility was it to wash everyone’s feet?
• What did Jesus model for His disciples as their Lord and Teacher?  What impact would this have made on you if you had been there?
• Not necessarily knowing the time and manner of our death, what should we be doing until that time comes?  (cf. Matthew 20:28)

Communing in the presence of betrayal:  (John 13:18-30)

• How difficult would it have been for you knowing that your betrayer sat at the same table, sharing in the same memorial meal?
• Though Jesus knew His betrayer, how did He conduct Himself?
• Why was it important for Jesus to reveal that He would be betrayed?
• What significance is there to the fact that Jesus identified Judas?  That Satan entered him immediately after Jesus gave him the bread?  That Jesus gave him instruction to do his betraying quickly?

Preparing those He was leaving:  (John 13:31-35)

• What change of tone do you sense in Jesus’ words in vss. 31-32?  What was it that drove Jesus’ work here?  What was He most excited about and intent on doing?  (See also John 4:34; 5:19-30; 8:29; etc.)
• What was the command most important for them to embrace just prior to his leaving?  Why this command?

Comforting in spite of denial:  (John 13:36-38)

• How does Peter evidence his zeal in this chapter?  In these verses?
• How did Jesus evidence His love for Peter in spite of knowing he would deny Him?  (vss. 10, 36; cf. also Luke 22:31-32; John 21:15-19)

Notes:

Taking the Truth Home:

• What get’s your attention most about how Jesus demonstrated his love for his followers in this Last Supper setting?  Why?
• How can you better demonstrate this kind of love to your fellow Christ followers and others around your life?

The Way Forward

A destination, a path and a guide for the journey

John 14

If you had given up everything to follow Jesus only to find out three years later that he was going to leave, how would you have felt?  Jesus spoke to this troubling sense of abandonment and uncertainty about the future by giving them clear re-assurance, direction and comfort.

You have a place with Jesus:  (John 13:33, 36; 14:1-3)

• How many of you grew up thinking you would be set up in eternity on your own estate, in your own mansion?  How does being in the Father’s house strike you?  What is Jesus communicating about our eternal home?
• With so much of their lives wrapped up in being with Jesus, how would this re-assurance about their ultimate destination have encouraged them?  How does it encourage you?
• Are you confident that Christ will come back for you?  Why, why not?

You know the way:  (John 14:4-14)

• Why was Jesus confident that they knew the way?
• How were the disciples confused about what Jesus meant?
• Describe in your own words what it means to know the “Way?”
• What does faith in Jesus enable us to do with our lives while we journey through this life?  What questions do you have about the things we are to do as we follow Christ?  How could what we do be “greater?”

Love me, obey me and I will guide you:  (John 14:15-31)

• Why does Jesus make such a strong connection between love and obedience? (See vss. 15, 21, 23-24, 31)  Why frame this promise of His presence with love & obedience?  If we really trust & love Jesus, how will we live?
• Who was going to come and be with the disciples once Jesus “left?”  Ø How does Jesus describe this “Counselor/Comforter?”  Summarize what we can know about the Holy Spirit from Jesus’ words here.
• Have you placed your faith in Jesus and received the Holy Spirit?  If not, would you like to invite Christ into the core of who you are?
• If you have received Christ, are there ways that you are grieving or quenching His work in and through your life?  (See Ephesians 4:29-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)  What step(s) of obedience do you need to take?

Notes:

Taking the Truth Home:

• Are there times that you feel abandoned by the Lord and uncertain about how to go forward with your life?
• How does Jesus’ teaching in this chapter better prepare you to walk through the uncertainties of this life?
• What is the most important thing the Lord wants you to take to heart from today’s teaching?

Recommendations for further study:

• Heaven by Randy Alcorn.  (See also: Heaven for Kids)
• The Holy Spirit, Activating God’s Power in Your Life, by Billy Graham.