Develop a Discipleship System
Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).
Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “What images come to mind when you hear the word “love”?
Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read John 15:9-17.
- What is Jesus’ commandment in the passage today? ["This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:2).]
- Today’s Preaching Notes say, “Joy is a shared experience, rather than a solitary one. That might help us understand when Jesus said, ‘That my joy may be in you and your joy might be full.’ He is saying that our joy, the human experience, that fleeting but powerful passion that fills us up and threatens to burn us out, is not complete until it is joined to his joy, the holy, divine joy that knows that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Our joy is complete – or mature, or perfect; it is all the same word in Greek - only when woven into his joy.”
- What do you think it would be like to live life with “Jesus’ joy in you”?
- Jesus said, “I do not call you servants any longer . . . but I have called you friends” (John 15:15). Reflect on the transition from servants to friends. What does it mean to be called a friend of Jesus? How does this change your relationship with Him and with other people?
- “You did not choose me, but I chose you” (John 15:16a). What does it mean to you that Jesus chose you? How does knowing that you have been chosen by Jesus to bear fruit affect your understanding of your purpose and actions in the world?
- “I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another” (John 15:17).
- What does loving one another look like in your context? What could you do this week to work on loving one another within your families, church, workplace, or community?
Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.
Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:
Gracious and loving God, as we conclude our time together, we thank You for Your word to love one another as You have loved us. Empower us to carry this command into our daily lives, showing Your love in all we do and say. Amen.
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Rev. Motoe Yamada Foor, Director of Adult Discipleship, served in local churches for twenty years. She has a wealth of experience at a variety of organizational levels of The United Methodist Church as well as in ecumenical organizations such as the World Council of Churches (WCC). She also enjoys serving as a coach to help people and churches grow.
In This Series...
