Main Idea: The truths of God are both an invitation into the fullness of life Jesus promises and a challenge to leave behind all our comfortable half-loves.

Head Change: To know that Jesus loves you beyond what you could hope or imagine

Heart Change: To love others in the way that Jesus loves us.

Life Change: To practice the truths Jesus teaches, specifically in lovingly serving others in the way that Jesus serves us.

What is the best invitation you have ever received? Did you accept the invitation? Why or why not?

Key Scripture (John 13:1-17): 1Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 

Key Scripture (John 13:34-35): 34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Before viewing the session, here are a few important things to look for in Francis Chan's teaching. As you watch, pay attention and make note of how he answers the following questions.

What is the significance of Jesus washing his disciples' feet?

What attitude should we have toward one another?

What can cause us to live like Judas instead of trusting Jesus?

Why do you think it can be difficult for us to live in uncertainty or "by faith"?

The first thing we notice about Jesus is his love for his disciples.

Whom in your life do you love "to the very end"?

Do you believe that God's love is at least that strong for you?

Why or why not?

God loves you more deeply than we often dare to think. We know God loves us as a piece of trivia but, deep in our hearts, we can doubt that he really loves us, flaws and all.

What do you think God sees when he looks at you?

Do you imagine him as disappointed and angry or as loving you?

Why?

Key Scripture (John 13:2-17): 2During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

12When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 

In what ways does Jesus's service reveal the depth of his love for you?

Do you think it is possible to love someone without serving them?

Why or why not?

Are you a servant?

Would the people that are watching this with you say that you are a servant?

Would the people closest to you talk about how you serve them?

When can it be difficult to serve others?

In what ways does love overcome our excuses for not serving others?

What do you think non-Christians see when they look at the church?

What would it practically look like for you to make love the hallmark of our ministry?

What kinds of things do we turn to when we feel like Jesus's promises aren't worth waiting for?

What "silver" might we need to give up so that we can faithfully follow Jesus?

What is the first step you could take in loving the people in this group?

What immediate needs in our church could our group meet?