Leader Guide 2019: Fall Week 9

LIFE GROUP LEADER GUIDE

For the week of November 10, 2019
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This guide is designed to give helpful hints in preparing & leading your group in discussion.

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Discussion Note: You will want to make sure to discuss Digging Deeper question three as it leads to Communion with your group. You will probably only have time for two questions so feel free to choose between question one or two in this Digging Deeper section.

As we heard in the sermon, Jesus initiated the first Communion knowing Judas would betray Him, the disciples would desert Him and Peter would deny Him. In John 13:1-17, we see the events leading up to the Passover meal (first Communion). What choices and actions do you see Jesus making in response to the knowledge that He is about to be betrayed, abandoned and crucified by those closest to Him?

John 13:1-17 – 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.

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

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

⁷Jesus 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!”

¹⁰Jesus 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.” ¹¹For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

¹²When 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. ¹⁴Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

The passage above is from John’s Gospel. John expands the Passover meal into an entire upper room experience. John makes an intentional choice to introduce the story by telling us about Jesus watching the disciple’s feet (typically the job of a servant). In the midst of Jesus celebrating the old Covenant (the Passover meal) He is also establishing a new Covenant (through the Communion with the bread and wine). He does all of this, knowing he’s about the be betrayed and abandoned. Even though Jesus knows that He will be alone as He heads to the cross, He still serves them by washing their feet; He’s giving them a specific example of what the new Covenant and kingdom look like.

If you had been sitting around the table with the disciples, what do you think your response would have been to what you just witnessed?

How might this passage give us insight into what Jesus thinks about us?

Additional Questions:

- - What does it look like to “wash someone’s feet” in today’s culture? (think: marriage, family/kids, workplace, neighborhood, friend circles, dating relationships etc.)
  - What would be an appropriate response if someone serves you in this way?
  - What does servant leadership look like in your life? How does Jesus set the standard for servant leadership?

As Christians, we participate in Communion to help us remember Jesus’ sacrifice. Paul gives the church in Corinth more detailed instructions for taking Communion, including some important things to keep in mind during this time of remembrance. Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 and write down anything that stands out to you.

1 Corinthians 11:23-29 – ²³For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

²⁷So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.

Note: vs.27 – speaks of an “unworthy manner” – this is not asking us to make ourselves worthy for Communion (we can’t make ourselves worthy). This is simply asking us to prepare our heart to receive, it’s a heart posture. vs.28 – “examine” here is not intended to exclude people from Communion but to have the appropriate heart posture.

In verse 28, we see that God’s judgment is one reason Paul instructs us to examine ourselves. What do you think of when you hear the term “self-examination”?

This is a great way to explore the topic of self-examination or self-awareness without it being on a personal level yet.

How might self-examination grow someone’s appreciation for the gift of God’s grace and mercy?

Note: As we self-examine, we further realize and understand the depths of our brokenness and we can more fully appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made for us. The more we take time to examine ourselves, the larger our appreciation for grace and mercy grows. Dietrich Bonhoeffer coined the term “cheap grace” in the book, “The Cost of Discipleship.” He defined it as, “the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance… communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.” In other words, cheap grace is the benefits without the costs. As we prepare for the benefits of Communion (mercy/grace/forgiveness), examination helps us understand the costs (Jesus death and punishment because of our brokenness and sin). The goal isn’t to be hyper critical but to have the posture of a repentant heart.

Since we all respond in different ways, is self-examination something that comes easily to you or is it more of a struggle?

We all approach examining different. Some may be very self-critical. Some may be critical on others. Some may not be critical at all. This helps point us toward self-awareness.

Additional Questions:

- - Read Psalm 139:23-24. How might this passage help us to self-examine
  - What are some helpful ways someone can self-examine?
  - What are some ways someone could increase their self-awareness?

Taking Communion is about remembering what Jesus accomplished through His death on the cross and His resurrection. It’s through this sacrifice that God’s grace and mercy are made available to us. After reading through the verses below, what else is available to us because of His sacrifice?

Discussion Note: Have different people read the verses out loud one by one and have people discuss what is available because of Jesus. These verses are intended to set up communion. See the Communion Guide.

Ephesians 1:7 – In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace

Ephesians 2:18 – For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Colossians 1:13-14 – ¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Romans 5:1 – Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Which one of these is most encouraging to you? Which one are you most likely to forget?

As you think about what it cost Jesus to make these benefits available to you, take a moment to thank Him for paying the price.

This week we will be taking Communion together as a Life Group. At North Coast we like to celebrate Communion where church happens – in our Life Groups. In preparation for that, read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – ²³For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Leader Guide 2019: Fall Week 9

LIFE GROUP LEADER GUIDE

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