COMMUNITY (PART 2)


READ JOHN 13:1-17

13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

DISCUSS

1. What stands out to you from this passage?
2. Why does Peter struggle to accept Jesus washing his feet?
3. Why would Jesus say ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me?” In v8?

4. What does this passage reveal about how Jesus views his purpose? (see Matthew 20:28)
5. What reasons does Jesus give to his disciples that they too should wash one another’s feet?

READ 1 PETER 4:8-10

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.


DISCUSS

  1. In what way is showing hospitality an act of love and service?

  2. How have you seen hospitality contribute to and build community in a meaningful way?

  3. What are some of the reasons we give ourselves to minimise the extent to which we show hospitality?

  4. Do you tend to think of yourself as someone who has received certain gifts, that ought to be used to serve others?

  5. In what way is ‘serving’ an act of ‘stewardship’?

    APPLY

  6. What is your current practice/ rhythm of hospitality and service? Do you feel you are currently being a faithful steward of what god has given you? (Home, skills, time, energy)

  7. Are there any areas that you would like to be more intentional in serving your church community? (both in informal and formal ways)