Questions for Reflection and Group Discussion
Davi Lin - June 16, 2024
Embracing Original Rest
Scripture References: John 13:21-30, John 1:14-18
From Series: "Sabbath Delight "
Sabbath Delight: Discovering Joy and Purpose in God’s Gift of Rest In a world that never seems to slow down, even our involvement in church activities can contribute to our sense of relentless busyness. Yet, deep within our faith in Jesus lies an extraordinary gift—the gift of Sabbath. This divine invitation calls us to stop, find true rest, embrace deeper connections, and celebrate the God who created us, redeemed us, and has an incredible future in store for us. Join us for our sermon series, "Sabbath Delight: Discovering Joy and Purpose in God’s Gift of Rest," as we collectively embrace the Sabbath and uncover the gospel joy and purpose it brings to our lives as a community.
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Read John 13:21-30 and John 1:14-18 (ESV):
John 13:21-30:
After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
John 1:14-18:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known..
- What feelings and emotions does the word “Father” bring up in you?
- In John 13, the disciple John laid his head on Jesus. What does this communicate about his relationship to Jesus?
- John 1:18 describes Jesus’s pre-incarnate place of close intimacy at His Father’s side. Describe what the relationship of Jesus and His Father was like.
- Read Exodus 33:17-23: And the Lord said to Moses, “This very thing that you have spoken I will do, for you have found favor in my sight, and I know you by name.” 18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.” 19 And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” 21 And the Lord said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, 22 and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen.” What do you notice in this passage with regard to what we’re learning about Sabbath?
- Note that John identifies himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” How has your relationship with Jesus impacted your sense of identity?
- Davi said, “Unless we are whole in our relationships we won’t rest.” Talk about why this is.
- Read John 19:25-27: “…but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” 27 Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.” What do you notice about John’s relationship to Jesus in this passage?
- Read John 20:17: Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” How did Jesus’s death and resurrection affect the relationship of his disciples to Jesus and to His Father?
- What are some ways you experience intimacy with Jesus? How could you deepen your experience of it?
- What did you sense God saying to you through this passage and this message?
