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Closing the Gap Week 11 – Study Guide

By March 18, 2018April 10th, 2018Small Group Study Guide

Study Guide John 13:1-17

  1. How do you feel when you are disrespected, ignored, laughed at, or thought of as a joke? Maybe you’ve been cheated, and were unable to do anything about it. Maybe there has been a time when you’ve been abandoned, disregarded, or despised?  What is your response to these types of situations? Why?
    • Now think of the passage and what Jesus has done for his disciples. He was going to show them the full extent of his love by dying for them.  In return, he knew they would all turn from him in fear and even betrayal.
      1. What did he do for them and what lesson can we learn from his example?
      2. What can keep you from following his example?
  2. How does Peter’s refusal to be served show that he still did not understand the nature of the mission of Jesus; that he had come to serve and not be served?
    • Do you ever find yourself like Paul and not quite fully understanding the mission of Jesus? Do you find yourself trying to force things to happen rather than serving those around you?
    • Think about the sufficiency of Jesus in all the areas of your life. What difference does He make in all those areas?
    • Unlike our self-sufficiency, His doesn’t fail. What can you do today to start training yourself to abide in the sufficiency of Christ?
  3. Jesus said that he was setting the example and we will be blessed if we follow it.
    • What was his example?
    • How do we follow in his footsteps?
    • What does it mean to be blessed?
    • Read the following statement: Our part is to do good things and avoid bad things as much as possible.  His part is to respond by doing good things for us and keeping bad things from us; it is a convenient arrangement.
      • How is this view wrong? What have we been promised? How can we live in His blessings?
  4. Jesus then did what was surprising. He took the posture of the lowest servant. He was showing us what the blessed life looked like. Essentially he was saying, “Do you want to know what the good life is, what it looks like? Then put the interest of others ahead of your own.”

    • What is keeping you from living the “good life” Jesus spoke about?
    • What can you do today to live this kind of life?
    • What would it look like for you to take a step of faith and give your life away?

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