READ
John 17:11-19
CONSIDER
The current series challenges SCBC family as communities of forgiveness and communities who serve. This week, you are encouraged to read the Gospel of John Chapters 13-17 which are commonly called upper room discourse. It was Jesus’ last conversations with his closest disciples.
Personally, it was one of those passages that made my mind wandering as I found the disciples at that time were so confusing. Many words and phrases were repeated and it was hard to get the central idea. May I suggest two major questions the disciples were wrestling with Jesus in the upper room:
(1) Where would Jesus go?
(2) What should the disciples do when Jesus left them?
Jesus not only responded where he will go but also emphasized that He was sent by the Father and He was sending the disciples. When Jesus left, the disciples became a sent community. While the disciples were still grieving by the imminent departure of Jesus, Jesus encouraged them that they should embrace the upcoming journey with joy. The questions we should ask ourselves this week are:
(1) How will our SCBC family become a missional community?
(2) What will this missional community look like?
Pastor Julian Wong
PRAY
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your only Son Jesus Christ to love and to serve the world. Thank You Jesus for setting up a great example for us to live a missional life and a missional community. May the protection of God continue to be with us and may the Spirit continue to guide us in this journey. Thanks be to God. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray,
Amen.
DIVING DEEPER
In your community group, reflect on and share what the top 3 moments that make your group connect.
What does the word “unity” mean to your community group?
How does the sermon this weekend help you to shape the future of your community group?