Before We Get Started

For our discussion today we will be using the sermon series discussion guides. If you would like to follow along you can access this discussion guide on the website at mosaicchurchaustin.com and then select “community group resources” in the menu options.

Prayer

Because the main goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for, or  anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together.

This Week’s Topic

Today, we continue our new series, launched on Easter Sunday, titled Not Alone. In this series we will be looking at how the Gospel gives us the promise of God’s presence, and the blessing of one another, as we go through life in the midst of a broken world. No matter how difficult life might get, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus reminds us we are not alone

Today’s Topic

Not Alone in Friendship

Discussion Questions

What is the nicest thing someone has ever done for you? How did that impact your life?

John 13:3-5,12-16

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then 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. When 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? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” 

How do you think the Disciples felt when Jesus starting washing their feet?

What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “I have given you an example, that you should also do just as I have done for you?”

Why might following that example have been difficult for the Disciples to do?

Why do you think this is the kind of friendship to which God calls us?

James 4:6-8

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less.”

How would you define pride?

How would you define humility?

Why does pride keep us from the kind of friendships God wants us to have?

Why does humility open up the possibility for those kinds of friendships?

John 13:21-27

“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 

What does it take to have the kind of friendships where others know you fully and have space to speak into your life, and where you have space to speak into their lives as well? 

What are some fears that people have that make those friendships scary?

How does the Jesus’ example with his Disciples, and what He has done for you on the cross, empower you to overcome those fears? 

Closing Thought

How might God use those friendships to conform you to the image of Christ? 

How might God use those friendships to show the world who He is and what His Kingdom is all about?