Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Motivation of Jesus Can Be Our Motivation Also (John 13)

When have you been extremely motivated to accomplish a task? What was the task? What motivated you?

What types of things usually motivate you in life? Why?

What types of things often "de-motivate" you in life? Why?

The events at the end of Jesus' life were of extreme importance, but they were certainly very difficult. In addition to a horribly painful death, Jesus knew that accomplishing His mission would require him to be betrayed by a friend, denied by a closer friend, and abandoned by all his friends. Yet, John 13 tells us that He loved them all, even to the end. John 13:1-3 provides an insight into the motivation that enabled Jesus to accomplish all he had come to do.

As a group, read John 13:1-5. How do you think the disciples felt as Jesus washed their feet? How would you have felt?

John 13:1 says that Jesus knew "his hour had come". Talk about a time when a sense of urgency has motivated you to accomplish something.

Should Christians have a sense of urgency about anything? Explain.

Read John 13:3. Jesus was certain about who He was, what the Father had given Him, and where He was going. This certainty motivated him to do all the Father had commissioned him to accomplish.

Consider what you can be certain about:
What has the Father given you?
Who are you? (who does God say you are?)
Where are you going?

Can these truths help motivate you to do all the Father has commissioned you to accomplish?

What do you need to accomplish this week? How can this group help?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I love the openers. You start getting the group talking about their lives and then dive into scripture and let the spirit move.
I have taken a few of your studies to my small group in phx, az. I had been having a hard time with how to lead a small group until I started to follow the way that you have been writing your blog discussions. Now I am able to get the groups talking and then from that conversations about their own lives, they are convicted by the Word of God. Praise God and working in your online blog!