The Heart of Jesus | Week One
Begin by sharing prayer requests and praying for one another
Read John 13:31-38 aloud as a group
Key Takeaways
On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus gathered His disciples in the Upper Room to deliver His final words of instruction and affection. In John 13:31-38, Jesus opens this farewell discourse with three key themes:
An Explanation: Jesus will glorify God through the cross
An Affection: Jesus' has tender love for His disciples
An Instruction: Jesus gives a “new” commandment to love one another
Discussion Questions:
Jesus uses the word "glorify" five times in verses 31-32. What does it mean that Jesus glorified God through the cross? How does this change how we view the crucifixion?
Why do you think Jesus called His disciples "little children" at this moment? What does this reveal about His heart toward them (and us)?
In what ways is Jesus' "new commandment" actually new? How does it differ from "love your neighbor as yourself"?
We should never graduate from the cross. In what ways do you tend to drift away from the cross in your daily spiritual life? What helps bring you back?
Jesus' love was willing to embrace discomfort, disruption, and difficulty. When have you experienced the cost of loving someone the way Jesus loves? What made it hard?
The sermon asked: "Is it plain to people around you that you love God by the way you treat those around you?" How would you honestly answer that question?
The sermon highlighted loving those we disagree with as particularly challenging. Is there someone in your life - perhaps even in the church - with whom you have differences but need to love more like Jesus? (You don't need to name them, but consider what that would look like.)
This Week’s Challenge:
Serve in Love: Love someone this week in a way that costs you something - your time, comfort, convenience, or pride. Come prepared to share (without naming names if sensitive) how God worked through that experience.
Close in Prayer
Pray that God would help each person experience the depth of Jesus' love for them personally, and that out of that overflow, they would love others with the same sacrificial, cross-shaped love. Pray for specific situations or relationships mentioned during your discussion.