Series Summary:

We live life in troubled times with troubled hearts. Who or what do we believe? The Greek word πιστεύω (pisteuo) is translated believe. It is not just an intellectual exercise. It is an entrusting of one’s self to a person or a cause. The gospel of John uses pisteuo 98 times! “These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." This fall may "your heart not be troubled. Believe!” πιστεύω #John #2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Starter

Tell about a time when someone believed in you.

Pray

Lord we live life in troubled times with troubled hearts. Who or what do we believe? You tell us clearly what to believe. You tell us, “These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." As we study the book of John, open our hearts and minds to believe. May we encourage one another to truly believe entrusting our lives to you and your will being done. May we strive to lead people to believe in you “the way, the truth, and the life.” Amen

Study Questions

READ: John 13:1

  1. This is one of the highest holy celebratory moments of Israelite culture, the Passover, commemorating their deliverance from slavery, covenant with God, and journey to the promise land. In John 2:4, 7:30, and 8:20, John wrote that Jesus’ “hour had not come”. Now Jesus says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
    1. When we picture someone’s moment happening and them being lifted up and glorified so that more people believe in them what pictures come to mind?
    2. How is the world’s picture very different from the picture the Bible gives?

READ: John 12:23-27, John 16:33, Matthew 16:24-26, Luke 14:25-28, 1 John 4:7-9

  1. What picture of success and glory does Jesus give from these verses especially to those who believe and follow Him?
    1. How should that picture Jesus gives impact how we want the picture of our lives to look?
  2. “He loved them to the end.” According to Jesus’ model and scripture what does it look like to reveal God’s love to people to the very end? (see: John 13:1, 1 John 4:7-9)

READ: John 13:2-17

  1. How does the reality and story of Judas provide a warning for us and an encouragement to us?

  2. Jesus washed Judas’ feet even though he knew Judas did not believe in Him and was going to betray Him.

    1. How is this applicable to us as we serve the church and other that claim to be believers?
    2. How does believing that Jesus was from God, that we have everything in him, and we are going back to Him help us to truthfully serve others during our lifetime?

  3. When entering a home or pace of worship, foot and hand washing was was a common practice in Bibles times. Even the priests in the Old Testament had a bronze basin for washing between the altar and the tent of meeting.

    However, Jesus washing feet like this would have been just as awkward to the disciples as it would be for us. Discuss why?

  4. Simon Peter held his tongue until Jesus got to him. Then Jesus and Peter have a public back and forth.

    1. What is Jesus pointing out to Peter and the disciples in this conversation? (**John 13:2-17)**
    2. How do we still have back and forth conversations like this with Jesus today with people serving us or us serving others? Why?

  5. “For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.” “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.”

    1. How and why do we tend to reject the examples Jesus gives in serving other believers and being served?
    2. We live in a Western Christian culture that stresses knowing the right things to do and chasing blessings. What might Jesus say to us about that? Why? (John 13:15-17)

READ: John 13:18-31

  1. Why does Jesus say that he it is telling them these things?
    1. So why did the eyewitness disciples (John) chose to write it down to tell us?