49. Final Decision (John 13:21-30)

Scripture: Jn 13:21-30

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Message of Hope: Jesus honors our final decision.

The Basic 8 Simple Church Tools: Collection Box, Connection Card envelopes, Business Cards, Taco Salad sign up sheet, A variety of extra Bible translation, Child Safety Poster, Blessing Board, Summary Form (which is emailed to the Details Coordinator every Sunday).

Breakfast

Welcome: We are so glad that you are here today.

Setting the Context:

We come from a variety of backgrounds and seek to create a safe place for Truth seekers to grow spiritually.You will notice that we try to avoid fancy religious language. We are common people.We do not try to impress people with how much Bible quoting we can do. We are common people.Encourage those who like to talk to give a opportunity for everyone to participate.

Check-In:

What is your first name? What is a high-light or a low-light (a headline) from your week? And...[insert rotation question]?

At the end of check-in ask the person who facilitated to choose another adult to facilitate checkin next week. Anyone can facilitate check-in. It does not have to be a CORE leader.

Children's Check-In Question: How did you help mommy or daddy this week? (Or they can answer the adult questions.)

The Quiz: A child asks three questions. They randomly choose from the check-in questions people just answered. Ask everyone to raise their hands and the child picks someone to answer the questions.

At the end of the quiz ask the child who facilitated to choose another child to facilitate the quiz next week.

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***                     Health Nugget                     ***

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Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish right conditions in the system. (MH 127.1)

Nugget of the Week: Subject

Conclusion: How do you WIN? You must START

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Facilitator's Directions:

Talk as little as possible, encourage others to share, and avoid a monologue.Cut on the dotted lines. Distribute questions around the circle.  (✂ ------------------------)Keep this top part and the bottom part (question D) of this page.Reassure people they do not have to answer the questions, just read it for us.At the end, choose someone to facilitate the questions for next week.

Kick-off Question:

(60 second answers, facilitator goes first, go around the circle) Who is someone that has shown you patience, compassion, and love when you did not deserve it?

Bridge: 

Today's story showcases Jesus’s love, compassion, and patience with a man named Judas. For three years he had been part of Jesus’s inner circle. Even though Judas had been dishonest and deceitful, Jesus did not expose him. But in this story, the time has come for Judas to make his final decision.

Passage Outline

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal (Jn 13:21-30)

(21) "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!"(22-25) The disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, "Lord, who is it?"(26) Jesus identifies Judas as the betrayer(27-30) "Hurry and do what you're going to do."

Read the Bible Story from a modern translation: Jn 13:21-30

(Encourage people to stick to this story instead of jumping all over the Bible.)

Digging Questions: (50% of your study time)

Why do you think Jesus waited until verse 26 to expose Judas to the other disciples?

Answer: (1) Jesus had reached the end of His earthly ministry; it was time for Judas to betray Him; (2) Jesus was following His Father's instructions (Jn 12:49-50)

At what point in this story do you think it became too late for Judas to repent and turn from his evil ways? (v. 26)

Answer: Judas could have confessed before Satan entered him in verse 27.

Verse 27 says that Satan entered Judas at this time. How do you think Satan had been working in Judas's life prior to or leading up to this verse?

Answer: In the life of the disciple John true sanctification is exemplified. During the years of his close association with Christ, he was often warned and cautioned by the Saviour; and these reproofs he accepted. As the character of the Divine One was manifested to him, John saw his own deficiencies, and was humbled by the revelation. Day by day, in contrast with his own violent spirit, he beheld the tenderness and forbearance of Jesus, and heard His lessons of humility and patience. Day by day his heart was drawn out to Christ, until he lost sight of self in love for his Master. The power and tenderness, the majesty and meekness, the strength and patience, that he saw in the daily life of the Son of God, filled his soul with admiration. He yielded his resentful, ambitious temper to the molding power of Christ, and divine love wrought in him a transformation of character. (AA 557).

If someone wants to repent and turn from old ways, what do you think are the first steps?

Answer: The first step is to have a genuine sorry for sin: contrite heart. (Ps 51:17; 1Jn 1:9; Ac 2:37-38) The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. (Jn 16:8) We must make a new covenant with Jesus (Eze 36:26-27; Heb 8:10)

Sharing Questions: (50% of your study time)

A. If you know someone is treating you unkindly behind your back, how are you inclined to treat that person? [Answer: First, I ask God to give me victory over my thoughts and I claim the promise giving my thoughts to Jesus. I pray for my attitude toward the individual because they are God's child too.]

B. When was a time you turned away from an old habit and started a new one? [Answer: It's a daily process. I have adapted the 3x5 Index Card system as a means of getting victory over sin. I use James Clear's Atomic Habits approach to establishing new habits and breaking bad habits.]

C. What is an invitation, a promise, a command, or a warning that you needed to hear today?

I've got a ways to go in the sanctification process

God and Jesus know all things

We should repent before it's too late

Comment

Comment

D. Remember: Jesus honors our final decision. How can this group pray for you this week?

Group Prayer:

Put an Empty Chair in the middle of your prayer circle. When you talk with someone who needs hope and courage, tell them about this group and invite them to come next week.Close by saying the Blessing Board blessing together.

Lunch: Haystack sign up list.