A New Commandment , A New Way

Sermon Notes:

In the Upper Room:

1. Jesus tells the disciples that He is leaving them.
2. Where He is going they can’t follow.
3. Jesus commands His disciples to be known as a loving (John 13:34)

Jesus answers Peter’s question: “Where are you going?  Why can’t I follow?”

4. Only Jesus can go to prepare a place for us in (John 14:2-3)

Jesus answers Thomas’s question: “How can we know the way?”

5. I am the way to heaven. (John 14:6)

Jesus answers Philip’s request: “Show us the Father”

6. I and the Father are one. (John 14:9)
7. The greater work is in the scope of sharing the Gospel in love.

Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:

Getting to Know You:

What is your favorite room in your house and why?

Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?

Digging Deeper:

1. Read John 13:33, 36-37. When Jesus said this statement it totally shocked the disciples to the core and prompted many questions.  Why do you think it troubled the disciples the way it did?  How do you think it would have affected you if you were there?
2. Read John 14:1-3. Peter asked Jesus where He was going and why can’t he follow Him?  How does Jesus answer his questions in these verses?  Do you think Peter was still confused?
3. Read John 14:5-7. Thomas told Jesus that they didn’t really understand “the way” or the destination itself.  Jesus told him that the way to heaven was Jesus himself.  Do you think Thomas was still confused after Jesus’ answer?  The next day Jesus died on a cross and on Sunday He rose from the dead.  How do you think these events helped Peter and Thomas understand what Jesus was teaching them in these sections of Scripture?
4. Read John 14:8-11. Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father.  What do you think Philip was expecting?  How do you think Jesus’ answer affected the disciples’ thinking on the nature of God?
5. Read John 1:1-3, 1:14, 14:11. What do you think Jesus was saying in John 14:11?  Do you have a hard time understanding the nature of the Trinity?  Do you think Jesus knows that this is a hard concept to understand?
6. Read John 13:34-35, 15:12, 15:17, John 14:12-15. Why do you think it is important to Jesus for His disciples to love one another?  What do you think Jesus is referring to in John 14:12?  What do you think are the “greater works”?
7. The disciples asked many questions in the Upper Room. If you were there, what questions would you have liked to have asked?

Taking it Home:

What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?