Community Group Discussion Guide

John 13:21-38 – Weekend of May 5-6

I. Starter Question:

Have you ever experienced betrayal? Whether from a family member, or from a fellow believer, or from someone you thought was a friend, how did that experience shape you? What was your short term response and long term reaction to relationships?

II. Discussion of Scripture:Background & Context: In this chapter, Jesus has just washed the feet of His disciples, modeling servanthood to these brothers. In this book John tells us much about who Jesus is. He is the Word who was with God in the beginning. The Word Himself was God. All things were created through Him. Life was in Him, and this life was the light of man. His light shines through the darkness and the darkness did not even comprehend it. The great tragedy is that the Word became flesh, came into the world He created, to His own people, and they did not know Him or receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John wrote his gospel so that we may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing we may have life in His name (John 20:31).

John 13:21-30 (ESV) - One of You Will Betray Me21 After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you,

one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.

Teaching Points and Questions for Discussion: 1. This passage takes place in Jesus’ fourth year of public ministry, on the night He was

betrayed. See #84 on the timeline above.2. This continues what is called the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-16).3. Verse 21 shows the humanity of Jesus as his spirit was troubled, knowing that one who had

walked with him was about to betray him. Acts 1:17 says Judas was counted as one among us.

a. Does this happen today in the church? Why? b. How does this encourage you today as Christ can empathize with you in broken

relationships you may experience?c. See Matthew 26:25 as Judas lies in this very scene to Jesus. Note the reaction that

Jesus displays as Judas goes about this betrayal ( John 13:26-27)

4. This intense moment brought uncertainty and confusion to the disciples, as they were clueless to what was about to take place.

a. Note the response by John and the intimate remembrance of details, like where he was reclining, how he was close to the bosom of Jesus and how he could whisper to His Savior.

b. What is Peters’ reaction (v. 24)? 5. Just like In v. 2 where it says that the devil put it in the heart of Judas to betray Jesus,

compare verse 2 and verse 27 of John 13.a. What did this look like? b. How can Satan put things in our heart today, and how can we recognize it when it’s

happening, and what can we do about it when it happens?

...and it was night

John 13:31-35 (ESV) - A New Commandment31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If

God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Note the significance of the departure of Judas Iscariot to the following words, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.” This new covenant is a pivotal moment. The time has now come.

1. What is so significant that He is glorified? That God is glorified in Him? Read John 7:39, 12:23, 14:13, 15:8, 17:1-5 and I Peter 4:11, this glorification is a big deal.

2. What is beautiful in v. 33 to the phrase, “Little children”? Why is that beautiful to you and me?

3. This new commandment is introduced in verses 34-35. It is a crescendo in scripture, one we have to address as followers of Jesus Christ.

a. See I John 2:7-8 and 3:11, why is this new commandment so critical to a disciple of Christ?

b. What is the command? Do we follow this command? How can we encourage one another to take this command to heart? How can we apply it at church? At home? At work? In difficult relationships?

c. Are we, Henderson Hills, your CG, your family, known “by all people”, as verse 35 states, because we have genuine love for one another?

John 13:36-38 (ESV) - Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you

cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

1. Why can’t Jesus ever answer a question in a simple answer? Compare verse 36 with the next chapter, 14:2-4? Where is He going and what is he going to do?

2. What is the difference in Peters’ denial and Judas’ betrayal? Is it not interesting to see two painful relationship rejections in one passage? Please note Jesus’ words in John 14:1 to see the heart of Jesus in his reaction to Peter and the disciples in comparison to his response to Judas.

III. Responding in Prayer: Pray for your brothers and sisters in your Community Group and in our church that we

all would follow this new command, “that you love one another”. We cannot accomplish this command without divine intervention through the Holy Spirit working in our lives. By this the world will know that we are light.

Pray for our pastor search as God is moving our church forward toward a new chapter in the life of our church.