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Read the Bible

John 13:31-38

31 When he had left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so now I tell you, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

36 “Lord,” Simon Peter said to him, “where are you going?” Jesus answered, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow later.”

37 “Lord,” Peter asked, “why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

38 Jesus replied, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly I tell you, a rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times.

Some key statements and questions put forward that are important for us to talk about…‍

Now the Son of Man is glorified.

• When Jesus is "glorified" he is using his own life to influence and increase the reputation of his Father's.
• Does that definition of "glorified" help you understand Jesus' purpose on earth? Share an example of where God's glory has been positively influenced by your life.

Little children, I am with you.

• Jesus compassionately calls his disciples, "children". What does this reveal about the heart of Jesus for your doubts and your needs?

I give you a new command: Love one another.

• Christianity is supposed to be simple: love how Jesus loves. Jesus loves sacrificially, inclusionary, and confrontationally.
• How is your love for Jesus sacrificial, inclusive, and confrontational in this season?

Next Steps: Hard Questions

"When crisis comes, Jesus ramps up his compassion and clarity." We are all in a season of crisis, if we are to love like Jesus that means that compassion and clarity should increase also. Where can you grow in compassion towards your neighbor right now? Where can you grow in clarity as to why being a Christian matters?

"To decide to follow Jesus is to give people permission to occasionally hurt you." People are terrible replacements for Jesus. That doesn't excuse abuse and misuse of authority, but it also puts Jesus in the position to be the Person you actually need. Where have you seen Jesus heal hurts from other's harm?

Last Thing: Be Vulnerable

These are a few doubts that Pastor Brian gave us permission to lean into in this season.

‍Is Jesus God? Why is Christianity so complex? What do I do with the hurt I experienced last time? What do I do with my failures?

‍Take a moment and pick which doubt resonates with you most in this season and ask for prayer to wrestle well with Jesus as he meets you in those places.