Palm Sunday: John 13-16
Palm Sunday :: Selections of the Upper Room Discourse
John 13-16
I sincerely hope you were able to enjoy the Passover last night. More than the meal and experience, I hope you were able to see Jesus in that ancient feast like never before. It truly is a life-changing and eye-opening encounter.
Before you begin your group time today, spend some time catching up with one another with a specific focus on prayer requests. Spend a short time in prayer, bringing these requests before your Heavenly Father.
Next, have some members of your group read aloud from the Gospel of John. One person can read chapter 13 in its entirety. Next chapter 14. Next chapter 15, and so on through the end of chapter 17. This is called the “Upper Room Discourse” because it began in the location of the Passover meal celebration, which was said to be in an “upper room.” This is one of the most unique and important sections of John’s gospel. As you read it consider how the language and imagery Jesus conveys to His disciples might affect them. Think about transition of mission, transfer of authority, encouragement in future suffering and preparation for life without Jesus beside them in the flesh.
In our study today we will look at the following texts from the Upper Room Discourse:
John 13:33-35
John 14:1-6
John 14:27-30
John 16:1-6
John 16:32-33
Group Discussion Questions:
John 13-16
I sincerely hope you were able to enjoy the Passover last night. More than the meal and experience, I hope you were able to see Jesus in that ancient feast like never before. It truly is a life-changing and eye-opening encounter.
Before you begin your group time today, spend some time catching up with one another with a specific focus on prayer requests. Spend a short time in prayer, bringing these requests before your Heavenly Father.
Next, have some members of your group read aloud from the Gospel of John. One person can read chapter 13 in its entirety. Next chapter 14. Next chapter 15, and so on through the end of chapter 17. This is called the “Upper Room Discourse” because it began in the location of the Passover meal celebration, which was said to be in an “upper room.” This is one of the most unique and important sections of John’s gospel. As you read it consider how the language and imagery Jesus conveys to His disciples might affect them. Think about transition of mission, transfer of authority, encouragement in future suffering and preparation for life without Jesus beside them in the flesh.
In our study today we will look at the following texts from the Upper Room Discourse:
John 13:33-35
John 14:1-6
John 14:27-30
John 16:1-6
John 16:32-33
Group Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think John’s gospel does not include an account of the Lord’s Supper/Passover Meal like the other three gospels?
- What does John include that the others do not?
- Pay special attention to who is in the room when Jesus begins his longer teaching and interaction in 13:31. Who is there? Who has left? (I strongly believe that many of the women disciples of Jesus were also present throughout the meal)
- From John 13:31 through the end of chapter 16, Jesus is speaking to these specific people. What seems to be Jesus’ main point or burden in this section?
- To what subjects does Jesus return several times? Why?
- What commands does Jesus give? Why?
- Notice at the very end of Chapter 14, this discussion seems to become a traveling conversation. If the upper room was located in Upper Zion (the traditional site) then the path to Gethsemane (chapter 18) would have taken directly through the Temple area. How does this possible route illustrate or give context to Jesus’ words in John 15?
- Where and how does Jesus speak of coming trouble, trial, comfort and peace? Why is this important?
- In chapter 17, Jesus turns his attention away from the disciples to the Father in prayer. They are listening in, of course. What topics or subjects surprise you in Jesus’ prayer? How does His prayer help you better understand the longer conversation that precedes it?
- Identify two personal prayers - for your own heart, soul, relationship with Jesus - for the Passion Week ahead. What do you hope to see or encounter or experience this week? How will you prepare for Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday?
Posted in Sermon Notes