07.23.08
Small Group Plan - July 20, 2008
“Serving Together”
Unity
Small Group Plan
July 20, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
Serving people … is it a part of our Christian mandate or not? You might be surprised to know about the heavy line some draw between physical and spiritual ministry. Some only want to minister to the soul while others only want to do humanitarian work. But the two sides need each other, and Jesus constantly brings them together.
It all brings to mind a speech in 1970 by the late E. Stanley Jones. Describing the strictly spiritual and physical sides of ministry he said, one is “a soul without a body,” the second is “a body without a soul. One’s a ghost and the other’s a corpse; you can take your choice. I don’t want either one. I want both.”
True service is not either-or, it’s both-and.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Who are the heroes of our current culture? Why are they thought of as heroes?
· Are they your heroes? Why or why not?
· Who is the most humble servant you know? Explain.
· How have they impacted or changed your life?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
John 13:3-4
“Jesus Knew … So He Got Up From The Meal”
· How did what Jesus “knew” lead to what Jesus did?
· Why does true confidence (leadership) always lead to service?
· What kind of leadership leads to selfishness?
Where in our world have you seen the two kinds of leadership?
John 13:8
“Unless I Wash You”
· Why did Peter initially refuse to be washed?
· What lessons did Jesus want the Twelve to learn from the washing?
· Do you think they learned them? Explain.
John 13:11
“You Are Not All Clean”
· Was Judas ever really committed to Jesus? Explain your answer.
· How could a person live with Jesus for 3 years and then betray him?
· How would explain a heart that first betrays and then regrets?
John 13:12
“Do You Understand?”
· Why did Jesus ask the question since he already knew the answer?
· Why is truth that “dawns” on you, better than truth simply given to you?
· Do you think they understood?
· If Jesus asked you to explain what he was doing, what would you say?
John 13:1
“The Full Extent Of His Love”
· How can simple foot washing be called the “full extent of his love?”
· How would you connect the act of washing feet with the act of dying on the cross?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How and when did you begin to “understand” the power of serving people?
· What are the lessons of “washing” for us today?
· What are the signals that “betrayal” could be growing in our hearts?
Close by asking God to help you see, understand, and get up from your own meal to serve others.