Icebreaker Options:

1. What’s something simple that someone did for you that made a big impact?
2. Think of someone who has demonstrated Christ-like love to you. What did they do that made you feel loved?

Observation

Read: John 13:1–17, 34–35 and 1 John 2:7–11 (optionally add 1 John 3:16–18).
1. Why do you think John keeps returning to the theme of love throughout his letter instead of mentioning it once and moving on?
2. According to John, how are love and obedience connected?
3. Imagine you were in the room that night. Which part of Jesus’ actions would have been most difficult to understand or accept? Why?
4. Why does Jesus refer to the command to love as both old and new?

Application

1. What’s the difference between loving someone and having loving feelings toward them?
2. The sermon suggested that “Sometimes love is spelled D.O.” Where is God inviting you to act  instead of feel?
3. Which of these two unhealthy tendencies do you relate to more? What are some steps we can take to resist this temptation?
Becoming a brick wall after being hurt.
Becoming a doormat by never setting healthy boundaries.
4. Jesus’ love became tangible through simple acts of service. What ordinary opportunity do you have this week to make Christ’s love visible?

Prayer Prompt

Spend time thanking Jesus for the ways He has loved you—not merely in words, but through His life, His service, His sacrifice, and His cross. Then pray for one another by name, asking God to help each person recognize one concrete opportunity this week to make His love visible through action.