Read: John 13:36-38, Romans 7:18-20
Compare and contrast Peter’s self-awareness with the Apostle Paul’s and describe what is the same or different.
What does this highlight about the importance of knowing yourself? Why will this always be a challenging topic?
How will Christians who work on knowing themselves lead to a healthy church? What practical steps will you take?
Read: John 13:38, Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:29, Luke 22:31-34
Why did Jesus tell the disciples they couldn’t go where He was going? Why do you think Peter wanted to go?
Given Peter’s overconfidence, what does this reveal about his self-awareness? How did Jesus address it?
What does this reveal about unhealthy spiritual patterns? How can this happen in the church? How can this be avoided?
Read: John 13:35, 1 John 3:10, Matthew 5:14-16, 25:31-46
When you think of effective evangelism today, what do you picture? How did Jesus picture effective evangelism?
In what way do you think Christians and churches today have confused the issue? Give an example.
What are some specific ways you think PCC can be more evangelistic according to Jesus? How will you help?
Read: John 13:34, 1 Corinthians 12:14-26
How does the body illustration used in 1 Cor. 12 demonstrate how a church should work together? Be specific.
What is the ultimate purpose for using spiritual gifts within the church? How does this relate to loving one another?
How are you using your spiritual gifts at PCC? How is God prompting you to step into Team PCC?
Read: John 13:34, Romans 12:10-18, Gal. 5:13, Eph. 4:2, 32, Col. 3:13, 1 Thess. 5:11
As Jesus was essentially telling His disciples goodbye, what was He anticipating by telling them to love each other?
In what way did the Apostle Paul tell the 1st century churches the same thing? (e.g. “one another’s”)
What does this highlight about the requirement for today’s churches? How can you be part of this effort at PCC?
Read: Leviticus 19:18, John 13:2-5, 12-15, 31-34, 1 John 3:11, 23, 4:21
What does the O.T. teach about loving one another? (Lev. 19:18) Why did Jesus call it a “new” command?
In what way did Jesus demonstrate a new approach by washing the disciples’ feet? Be specific.
Given this is the ultimate goal for every Christian, what does this imply about a church? How does this adjust you?
Read: John 13:18-30, Psalm 139:23-24
As you re-read the interaction that took place between Jesus and Judas, what strikes you as significant?
If Judas had been a true believer, how might he have avoided getting hooked by a self-serving mindset?
Take a moment & pray Psalm 139:23-24 out loud. Write down the areas of your life that God wants you to address.
Read: John 13:23-30, Genesis 3:1-5, Matthew 4:1-11
In what way did Judas take the same bait as Eve when she was tempted by Satan? Be specific.
How did Jesus endure the same type of spiritual temptation? Why will this always be a bait for Christians?
What are some ways you can be tempted into a self-serving mindset? How can you avoid taking the bait today?
Read: John 13:23-30, Luke 22:3-6
When did Judas make the decision to betray Jesus and hand him over to the authorities? Why is this important?
Why did Jesus tell Judas to do what he was going to do “quickly”? How would Judas have felt at that moment?
Given Judas went through with his plan, what does it reveal about his heart? How does this challenge you?
Read: John 13:18-22, Matthew 26:26, 23:27-28, 2 Corinthians 13:5
How did the disciples respond when Jesus told them about a betrayer in their midst? How did Judas respond?
What does this imply given the disciples spent 3 years together? How did the Pharisees demonstrate the same hook?
How can this happen to Christians today? Be specific. How will comparing your public and private life help?
Read: John 6:60-64, 13:2-5, 10:11, 18-21
How was Judas part of the disciples and not part of the disciples? What does this reveal about spiritual duplicity?
Given that Jesus knew about Judas from the beginning, how did His treatment of Judas make you feel?
What does this highlight about the need for Christians to recognize and address spiritual duplicity?
Read: John 13:18, Matthew 27:5, Psalm 41:9, 2 Samuel 17:23
In what way was the story of Jesus and Judas similar to the story of David and his counselor, Ahithophel?
What would Judas’ betrayal have implied about scripture being “fulfilled”? (John 13:18) Be specific.
What does this highlight about Jesus being caught off guard? Why is this helpful for Christians to understand?
Read: Proverbs 12:25
Do you know anyone who has a heart weighed down by anxiety and worry? How can you help them? Specifically, what are the kind words you could say to them this week?
Read: 1 Peter 5:7-8. Why should we give God our anxiety? What’s the connection between anxiousness and a mind that is sober and alert?
Read: Psalm 94:17-19
Has there been a time when you had great anxiety, and God’s help brought you joy? Reflect on that situation and give thanks to God.
How can you be better prepared the next time you face a situation filled with worry and anxiety? How might you “worry-proof” your life?
Read: Philippians 4:8
In what way is this list more than “the power of positive thinking?” How does worry keep you from thinking about the good things listed in Philippians 4:8?
What’s the best way to interrupt the negative and/or destructive thoughts that come from worry?
Read: Luke 12:22-34
In what ways is this teaching encouraging? How is it most challenging?
What does it mean that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also?” What are some things you treasure?
On a daily basis, what could it look like for you to seek first the kingdom of God?
Read: Job 3:26; Luke 10:41
In the past month, has worry been an issue for you? Give it a rating from 1 to 10 and explain why.
When legitimate concern crosses the line and becomes too much worry, how does this impact you in the different areas of your life?
Read: John 13:1-17
What strikes you as significant when you re-read the foot washing event? (e.g., timing, Peter, Judas, etc.)
Given that Jesus washed all the disciples’ feet (including Judas), what does this imply about loving others?
What is the primary take away for you when it comes to loving others? How will you keep working on this?
Read: John 13:17, Acts 20:35, James 1:22-25
Given love should be every Christian’s ultimate priority, what does this highlight about being blessed?
In what way is this counter-intuitive when it comes to loving others? How will being “fair” prevent a blessing?
What has been your experience with this? What opportunity has God put before you today? What will you do?
Read: John 13:16-17, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
In what way did Jesus highlight that loving others will always require a choice? (i.e., “if”)
Why is this important to recognize on a daily basis? Why will this happen whether you like it or not?
List two ways you’ve been challenged to love today. What was your decision? How does recognizing this truth help?
Read: John 13:12-15, Matthew 5:1-9, 18:1-6
In what way did Jesus highlight the importance of humility by using children to illustrate the point?
How did Jesus highlight the same truth by foot washing? How does this also relate to loving others?
On a scale of 1-5, how would you rank loving others in your life? What step is God prompting you to take today?
Read: John 13:12-15, James 1:23-24, 2:12-17
What is implied about love, given Jesus demonstrated what it should look like? (i.e., knowing vs doing)
How does this same principle apply to the everyday Christian life? (c.f., James 2:12-17)
In what way can we fool ourselves by simply understanding the concept of love? How can you avoid this trap?
Read: John 13:1-7, 12-15
Explain how Jesus was demonstrating the “full extent of his love” by washing the disciples’ feet. Be specific.
How was this approach by Jesus to teach the disciples, different than the other times He taught them?
What does this highlight about what it means to love like Jesus? How does this encourage you?
Read: John 13:1-11, 15:9-12, Matthew 22:37-40, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, 8, 1 John 4:7-8
Given Jesus spent 3 years teaching and training the disciples, why do you think he saved foot washing to the end?
In what way did Jesus challenge the way the disciples were probably measuring spiritual growth? Be specific.
How does the Jesus style of love challenge your style? Be specific. What are 1 or 2 steps you can take to change?
Read: John 13:8b-11, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Titus 3:3-7, Revelation 1:5, 1 John 1:9
Explain the spiritual distinction Jesus is making between a “clean” body and needing to “wash” your feet.
What does this imply about the priority of loving others? (i.e., washing feet) How has this been minimized today?
In what way can bible study, church attendance, etc. become a distraction? What could be distracting you?
