Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet

Here’s what happens…

Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. Although Peter protests at first, he lets Jesus wash his feet. This is a lowly job, and yet Jesus does it. He tells his disciples to follow his example and serve others.

Talk About…

- Put yourself in the disciples shoes, how do you think you would have reacted? If you were Peter? Judas?

- In your life, who is one person who has demonstrated what it means to “wash feet” as Jesus did? What did they do?

- What do you find easy about serving as Jesus shows? What do you find hard?

- What does Jesus know that the disciples don’t (v1, 3, 11)?

- While Peter is taking the washing of his feet literally, what do you think Jesus meant by his statement in verse 8? Verse 10?

- What new meaning would these statements take on after Jesus’ death and resurrection?

- What are your key learnings from this passage today?

- How will you put Jesus’ teaching in to practice in at least one of your relationships this week?

- Jesus Clears the Temple -

Here’s what happens…

Jesus walks into the Temple and sees people selling doves. This is causing a distraction from God in his special place, and Jesus gets mad. He turns over the tables of those selling and speaks out against what they’re doing.

Talk About This…

- When you see something wrong, are you more likely to act without thinking or think without acting?

- What’s something you’ve seen people do that you thought might hurt God’s heart?

- What do you think upset Jesus so much about what he saw happening in the temple? (see Isaiah 56:3-7)

- What does this dramatic passage teach about Faith? Prayer? Judgment? Jesus?

- If Jesus were to visit our church, where would he begin “turning over the tables”? what about in your life?

- What action do you think you should take to change this?

The Parable of the Great Feast

Here’s what happens…

Jesus tells this parable: A man hosting a feast invites many people, but they make excuses not to come. So he invites the outcasts, who all come and enjoy the banquet. Jesus wants everyone to come to his feast in heaven.

Talk About This…

- What’s one of the best parties you’ve ever been invited to?

- What’s something you wish you were included in and aren’t?

- In this parable, who do you think are the invited guests? Why don’t they come? Who eventually does come?

- What does this parable teach about the Kingdom of God?

- In your experience, why do so many say “no” to God’s “banquet”? What can you say or do to help people overcome their hesitation?

- What action can you take this week to do this?