Breaking Ground
What’s the least fun task you’ve ever had to do for a job?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Jesus the Christ by exploring the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet.
Start your discussion by reflecting on how our culture connects specific tasks & a person’s status.
In our society, what tasks or jobs are seemingly most associated with a lack of status? How does this impact our attitudes & actions towards the people holding these positions?
Next, read John 13:1-17. This story occurs right before Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, torture, & execution; making it one of Jesus’ final instructions to his disciples. In it, Jesus chooses to wash his disciples’ feet, which shocks them for several reasons.
- In the Ancient World, people wore open sandals & walking was the primary form of travel (meaning that one’s feet were often worn & covered in dirt).
- Most towns & roads were used by people & animals alike (thus, dirt wasn’t the only thing that inevitably got onto your feet).
- As a sign of respect, it was often culturally expected that a guest would wash their feet before entering a home or attending an important event.
- However, due to the disgusting nature of foot washing, this task was usually reserved for the person with the lowest social status in a given group or home (usually, the lowest servant or slave).
With this in mind, reflect upon the radical nature of this scene.
What is Jesus revealing about how he views himself & his mission in taking this task upon himself? What does it reveal about what he expects from those who claim to follow him?
Why do the disciples react with such shock when Jesus starts performing this task for them? How would you have responded in their position?
How does this story give Jesus’ disciples a new definition of humility, servanthood, & leadership (as compared to how our world defines such terms)?
Consider where you struggle to embrace Jesus’ example of humility & servant leadership.
What are some tasks that would benefit others in your personal life or larger world that you refuse to do because you think they’re “beneath you”? How does this story outright challenge that posture & attitude?
How can you embrace Jesus’ posture of humility, servanthood, & leadership in a new way during this next season? How would that help you foster more of God’s Kingdom in both your heart & world?
Getting Out of the Hole
In this series, take time each week to reflect upon the story from the story & how you can find yourself within it during this season of your life.
- Read John 13:1-17. First, break this story or teaching down into pieces. What is Jesus doing or saying? How are people responding to him? What changes by the end of the story?
- Next, close your eyes & reflect upon the story. Imagine yourself in it. Put yourself into the space of the various characters & imagine what it would be like to encounter Jesus in the story.
- What images, teachings, or ideas speak to you the most in this story? What intrigues or confuses you? What feelings arose as you thought about being in the story? How can this story impact your life & your relationship with Jesus in this next season?
Additional Resources*
TheBibleProject.com
Simply Jesus by NT Wright
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, March 30th: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series Jesus the Christ!
* Please see mye3.org for details.