The Upper Room: A Seat at the Table – John 13-17
Knowing the time was fast approaching for Jesus to depart this world He spent His final hours with His closest friends gathered around a table in the upper room. This was more than a meal. It was a teaching moment of great importance to them…and to us.
As the disciples sat with Jesus, unaware of what would soon take place, Jesus served them, taught them, and prayed for them. We are going to pull up a seat at that table and let Jesus teach and disciple us as well.
Week 2: The Example of Jesus
John tells us that in the Upper Room with Jesus as the meal got started, Jesus did something unexpected to them. Jesus served them as a servant would at that meal in an unexpected way. Jesus makes Himself the LOWEST SERVANT in a room full of His SERVANTS, giving us an example of how we are supposed to live and a window into the heart of Jesus.
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
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DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- In the first weeks of 2025, what has been a HIGHLIGHT and what has been DIFFICULT?
- When you have someone over for dinner, what do you do to prepare for your guests? What special things do you do during the meal to make your guests feel welcome and comfortable in your home?
- Do you think the world perceive us as Christians as the ones who “wash feet” by loving and serving others? Why or why not?
READ: John 13:1-17
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
- OBSERVATIONS: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage?
- What are some of the things that Jesus “KNEW” as he prepared to eat the Passover Meal with his disciples? Read John 13:1-3 & 11.
- How does seeing Jesus’ act of service here through the lens of what He knew about Himself and His disciples give this story a greater impact? What stands out about that truth that He knew these things?
- How does Philippians 2:6-8 mirror John 13:1-5? READ: Philippians 2:6-8.
- How would you summarize this passage in John 13:1-17 into a single sentence?
READ Mark 10:35-45.
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
- OBSERVATIONS: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage?
- When and why do you find it difficult to allow others to serve you?
- When and why is it difficult for you to serve others?
- Practically, what does it look like to wash someone’s feet as you love and serve others such as: washing the feet of your neighbors, your family, your spouse, your kids, your coworker, those who have a very different world view or political affiliation than you?
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
- What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon?
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we have learned. What is your next step?Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
Mark 10:45 “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
PRAYER:
Spend some time praying for each other.
Scripture References:
John 13:1-17; Philippians 2:3-11; Mark 10:32-45