Digging Deeper
AS YOU READ CHAPTER 26
Journal your answers to these questions as you read through the chapter this week. You may wish to read one day and journal the next, or spread the questions over the whole week. Bible readings that correspond with this week’s reading can be found at log.org/resources/ the-story
1. While in the upper room with His disciples, Jesus knew
his death was imminent. He was with the men, his
friends, he’d spent three years teaching, yet he knew soon one would betray him, one who deny him and all would abandon him. Then he says, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The disciples were anything but worthy, and still Jesus gives them this gift of life. How does reading this story impact what you experience in communion?
2. What was Jesus trying to teach the disciples when he washed their feet? What does this tell you about God’s kingdom? Would it be easier for you to wash someone else’s feet or for someone else to wash your feet? What is it, for Peter and for us, that makes the servant life of Jesus hard to accept?
3. What can we learn about prayer from Jesus’ prayers at the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross?
4. Describe Peter’s volatile relationship with Jesus. What lessons from him can you apply to your own relationship with the Lord?
5. Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion and death are also known as the “Passion.” Describe your most dramatic experience of the Passion. What was it? Scripture? A movie? A play? A Good Friday worship service? What did you think, and how did it make you feel? How does it feel to know that Jesus knowingly did all of this for you?
6. “It is finished,” (John 19:30, p. 380) could also be translated as “fulfilled,” “accomplished” or “brought to purpose.” Very different than “It’s over” in many ways, Jesus’ last words are a declaration that something new is just beginning. What do you think this new thing is (see Jeremiah 31:34 and Ezekiel 36:26-28)? What new things has Jesus done in you through your faith journey?
Prayer
God,
In your hour of darkness, you took my sin upon yourself. Forgive me, Lord, for the ways I have fallen into sin, and free me from the things that draw me away from you. Lord, shine your light and your grace into my life so that I may more wholeheartedly serve you as you did for your followers, even in your darkest hour. Amen.
Journal your answers to these questions as you read through the chapter this week. You may wish to read one day and journal the next, or spread the questions over the whole week. Bible readings that correspond with this week’s reading can be found at log.org/resources/ the-story
1. While in the upper room with His disciples, Jesus knew
his death was imminent. He was with the men, his
friends, he’d spent three years teaching, yet he knew soon one would betray him, one who deny him and all would abandon him. Then he says, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” The disciples were anything but worthy, and still Jesus gives them this gift of life. How does reading this story impact what you experience in communion?
2. What was Jesus trying to teach the disciples when he washed their feet? What does this tell you about God’s kingdom? Would it be easier for you to wash someone else’s feet or for someone else to wash your feet? What is it, for Peter and for us, that makes the servant life of Jesus hard to accept?
3. What can we learn about prayer from Jesus’ prayers at the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross?
4. Describe Peter’s volatile relationship with Jesus. What lessons from him can you apply to your own relationship with the Lord?
5. Jesus’ betrayal, arrest, trial, crucifixion and death are also known as the “Passion.” Describe your most dramatic experience of the Passion. What was it? Scripture? A movie? A play? A Good Friday worship service? What did you think, and how did it make you feel? How does it feel to know that Jesus knowingly did all of this for you?
6. “It is finished,” (John 19:30, p. 380) could also be translated as “fulfilled,” “accomplished” or “brought to purpose.” Very different than “It’s over” in many ways, Jesus’ last words are a declaration that something new is just beginning. What do you think this new thing is (see Jeremiah 31:34 and Ezekiel 36:26-28)? What new things has Jesus done in you through your faith journey?
Prayer
God,
In your hour of darkness, you took my sin upon yourself. Forgive me, Lord, for the ways I have fallen into sin, and free me from the things that draw me away from you. Lord, shine your light and your grace into my life so that I may more wholeheartedly serve you as you did for your followers, even in your darkest hour. Amen.