Group check in. Encourage your folks to bring any notes they have for this service to contribute to the discussion.
The number one faith question/search according to Google this year is: "Is there a God?" Have you ever had similar questions? Questions like-Do I matter to Him? Does He remember me? Does He care? What does this reveal about the time we are living in? In this series Seven Days we find ourselves on Thursday and the "Last Supper" that Jesus shared with His disciples. It may be the most intimate and expressive time yet with Jesus and His friends. Let's see what the events of this evening reveal about God's thoughts toward us and our response to Him.
Review the Passover meal for anyone unfamiliar. It was celebrated for centuries by the Jewish people. A highly symbolic "reminder" of how God freed the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, revolving around the sacrifice of an unblemished lamb and a marking of blood on the doorpost. (full story in Exodus 12-14).
- Read Luke 22:7-14 out loud.
- Read John 13:1-5 out loud.
For a few moments, forget your 20/20 hindsight, put yourself in the sandals of one of the disciples. Immerse yourself. What stands out to you in these Scripture portions? Why do you think Jesus was eager to share this meal?
"What exactly did God have in mind with the long, convoluted story of the Hebrews? Jesus is what God had in mind."
Phillip Yancey
Connect
If you've ever had to say goodbye to someone, for any length of time, how seriously did you take your words? Did you plan them out? Was there an intensity in your soul? What did you hope they would remember?
Jesus was all God, and yet all man, sharing His last words to His friends. Can you relate to His intensity? What stands out to you?
Discuss
Jesus was leading the symbolic Passover meal. The lamb, the cup, and the bread had deep meaning, and each element pointed to Him. THE Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world standing before them. How do you think they missed it? What got in their way? How does that work in our lives? In truth, Jesus stands before us and speaks to us with the same intensity and the same love. List some specific things that can and do get in our way of seeing the greatness of God before us.
Action Steps
Discuss as a group --If we indeed know how loved we are by the Father-- And the lengths to which Jesus went to show that love--What changes could we make in how we think about ourselves? Our friends, family, neighbors, co-workers? What does that look like in our actions? The steps of faith that we can take?
Pray
Heavenly Father, help us to see where You are showing up in our lives. Slow us down. Remove the obstacles of pride, fear, busyness and preoccupation with our own lives, anything that gets in the way of seeing You, hearing Your voice. Give us the courage and resolve to follow You. In this coming week, may we be in utter awe of "who am I that You are mindful of me!" And may this awe flow out to those around me.
Jesus in Your name,
Amen!