Opening
Read John 13:1–17. What words or phrases immediately stand out to you? What is confusing in this passage? Who are the main figures in the story? What does Jesus know in this story? What does He do? Share a time when someone served you in a way that you did not expect or that almost offended you?
Questions
1. What do you think it means that Jesus “loved them to the end” (v.2)? How does serving others flow from our love for them?
2. What might be examples of “foot washing” in our context today? How are we tempted to overlook these smaller tasks?
3. Serving others can be difficult when we are tired, stressed, anxious, or in a difficult season. What does it say about Jesus that before the worst night of His life, He was serving others? How does this encourage you?
4. Why does Peter resist being served by Jesus? How often do we think we must be deserving of Jesus’ grace to us and receiving service from others?
5. What ways do you need to serve others now?