1. Practicing Humility Sept. 27

2. Think About It … What are the typical measures of a successful life?

3. Think About It … Consider what George W. Bush said – what do you think he meant by this? Today  We want to focus on how Christ demonstrated the value of serving and used it to express a Godly kind of love. “From now on, any definition of a successful life must include serving others.”

4. Listen for what Jesus does that Peter thinks is out of character. John 13:1-11 (NIV) It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. [2] The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. [3] Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;

5. Listen for what Jesus does that Peter thinks is out of character. [4] so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5] After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. [6] He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" [7] Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." [8] "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

6. Listen for what Jesus does that Peter thinks is out of character. [9] "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" [10] Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." [11] For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean.

7. Service Demonstrates Love What did Jesus do when He got up from His meal with the disciples? Bathing in the 1 st Century – Few people in the first century had access to private baths, – most people took baths in public bathhouses. – leaving the bathhouse clean, one’s feet would get dirty walking in sandals. – host was expected to provide someone (lowly servant) to wash the feet of visitors

8. Service Demonstrates Love What does it suggest that no one provided that service for Jesus? So then, why did Peter express shock? Why do you think it was difficult for Peter to receive Jesus’ act of service?

9. Service Demonstrates Love Why was it important for Jesus to wash the disciples’ feet? When and why is it difficult for you to serve others? In what way does Jesus “wash our feet” today?

10. Listen for the lesson Jesus was trying to teach the disciples. John 13:12 – 17 (NIV) When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. [13] "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's

11. Listen for the lesson Jesus was trying to teach the disciples. feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

12. Service Brings Blessings What did Jesus tell His disciples they should do? How did Jesus say that His disciples would be blessed? In what ways can we “wash the feet” of others (following Jesus’ example)?

13. Service Brings Blessings Why is it hard to serve those who are close to us or know us well? How can we position ourselves to become others-focused in our dealings with people

14. Listen for a surprise that Jesus drops on the disciples. John 13:18 – 28 (NIV) "I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' [19] "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. [20] I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."

15. Listen for a surprise that Jesus drops on the disciples. [21] After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." [22] His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. [23] One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. [24] Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."

16. Listen for a surprise that Jesus drops on the disciples. [25] Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" [26] Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. [27] As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. "What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him, [28] but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him

17. Challenge of Service to Everyone What are some words or phrases that describe the big surprise for the disciples? Obviously Jesus had previously washed Judas’ feet also. How do you think Jesus felt when he came to Judas? What does this event say about why it is hard to maintain an intimate and growing relationship with another person?

18. Challenge of Service to Everyone What are some ways in which we betray or act disloyal to Jesus with our words or by our life- style? How can Jesus still minister to someone when he or she is disloyal to Him?  Jesus calls us to serve … even those who have been unkind or who have failed us.

19. Application Who is someone you can serve today? How? – A neighbor – Someone here within our Small Group – Someone who might even be unpleasant to be with – Pray for one another that God would make us sensitive to those around us who need our kindness and ministry

20. Application What behavior that betrays your relationship with Jesus will you ask God to help you change? – Ask God to rid your life of pride, to give you an attitude of humility – Ask Him to take away anger, fear, lack of concern for others

21. Application Pray that your relationship with God would become closer, – Pray God compels you to see the needs around you – Ask Him to help you to respond to those needs as a servant.

22. Practicing Humility Sept. 27