Read John 13.21-38
Bonus Reading: Romans 12.9-18; Ephesians 5.1-2; James 5.2-13
Introduction: How would you describe your main social circle? Who makes up your “group”? How open are you to someone else joining your group?
Information: What is the one thing Jesus wants to be sure the disciples know before he leaves? What makes this a “new commandment”? What happens when people follow this commandment?
Introspection: N. T. Wright says of this verse, “We have defined the ‘one another’ so tightly that it means only ‘love the people who reinforce your own sense of who you are’” (John for Everyone, Part 2, 963). Do you think this is accurate? What do you think you could do to show love to someone who does not reinforce your own sense of who you are? Why is it important to challenge ourselves in this way?
Impression: Ask Jesus to show you an area of growth when it comes to this verse.