Starter:
Describe a person who gave you some good advice to live by.
Worship:
Reading: John 13 : 31-35
Read the passage aloud again, then re-read silently along with the Commentary. Reflect on the personal questions individually before sharing your thoughts in groups of three.
Commentary:
There are many examples in the Bible of farewell speeches. They always include leaving a farewell gift. Jesus addresses his disciples as 'my children', like a father would on his deathbed. Jesus' gift is the commandment to 'love one another'. This is the key to eternal happiness. 'Love your neighbour as yourself' had been around for a long time. There was something new in Jesus' command. They were to love each other as Jesus loves. It is to be a totally selfless love. His death on the cross is the highest expression of his love. It is this love which identifies the disciples with Jesus. What we believe, how we behave and worship must be motivated by his command to 'love one another' as he loves us. This is the necessary mark of a truly Christian community. (Baranowski)
Personal Reflection:
1. What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
What might God be saying ?
2. Is there someone whom you find it difficult to love?
What could be a first small step to demonstrate the love of Jesus to them?
3. Think of a time when your attempts at loving someone were rebuffed.
How did that feel?
How did you respond the next time you were in a position to show love?
4. Jesus loved his disciples knowing what they were like - faults and all!
Do you feel you have to put on a 'respectable' mask to be loved?
Do you feel you would be loved within your church community even
if you were known faults and all?
When you have finished sharing your reflections, offer any personal insights to the group as a whole.
Then discuss the following questions together.
Life Focus:
1. In our usually quiet, uneventful everyday lives, how can we demonstrate
that costly, sacrificial love which Jesus demonstrated by going to the cross?
2. In what ways can your Christian community be identified?
Is love among that list?
3. Is there anything your local church community can do to demonstrate
that love in a way that is relevant to today's community?
Review Time:
Recall anything from previous weeks which needs attention.
Prayer Time:
Thank God for his accepting love toward each one of us.
Think of a person or situation in need of prayer, ask God to prompt us how we may demonstrate his love and grant us the courage of our convictions to act upon those thoughts.
Next Meeting:
Fix date and venue of next meeting.
