Bible ReadingJohn 21:18–2218 “Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.”
[16:21]19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”
[16:36]20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”
[16:44]21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
[16:57]22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
[17:03]Mark 10:35–4535 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.”
[28:15]36 And he said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”
[28:23]37 And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.”
[28:23]38 Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
[28:31]39 And they said to him, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized.”
[28:40]40 “But to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
[28:50]41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John.
[28:58]42 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.”
[29:01]43 “But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,”
[29:06]44 “And whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.”
[29:17]45 “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
[29:21]1 Samuel 18:6–96 As they were coming home, when David returned from striking down the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with songs of joy, and with musical instruments.
[23:12]7 And the women sang to one another as they celebrated, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”
[23:31]8 And Saul was very angry, and this saying displeased him. He said, “They have ascribed to David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed thousands, and what more can he have but the kingdom?”
[23:35]9 And Saul eyed David from that day on.
[23:50]Observation questions- In John 21:18–22, what difficult news does Jesus give Peter, and how quickly does Peter turn his attention toward John? [17:14]
- What does Jesus repeat to Peter after Peter asks, “What about this man?” What does that response make clear about Peter’s responsibility? [18:40]
- In 1 Samuel 18, what good things does Saul still have, even while he becomes angry over the praise David receives? [24:29]
- In Mark 10, what do James and John ask for, how do the other disciples respond, and how does Jesus redefine greatness? [29:47]
Interpretation questions- Peter seems concerned about whether suffering will be distributed fairly between himself and John. Why might Jesus answer Peter’s question by calling him back to “Follow me” rather than explaining John’s future? [18:21]
- Believers receive the same basic call to love God, love people, and make disciples, while living very different stories. How can different backgrounds, hardships, and experiences become useful in helping different people encounter Jesus? [19:00]
- Saul is still king and is still praised, yet David’s greater praise controls Saul’s attention. What does this reveal about why comparison can turn genuine blessings into reasons for resentment? [25:16]
- James and John seek positions above the other disciples, but Jesus says kingdom greatness is found in serving. How does service change the question from “How do I stack up?” to “How can I give what someone else needs?” [31:40]
Application questions- Where does comparison most often show up in your life right now—work, money, parenting, appearance, relationships, spiritual growth, gifts, or social media? When it shows up, does it usually lead you toward pride or toward coveting? [15:02]
- Is there an area of your story that feels unfair when you compare it with someone else’s story? What might it look like to bring that honestly to Jesus and hear his words: “What is that to you? You follow me”? [18:40]
- Think of someone whose maturity, marriage, opportunities, recognition, gifts, or circumstances are easy for you to envy. What is one specific way you could thank God for them or celebrate what God is doing through them this week? [27:19]
- Saul could not enjoy the honor already given to him because he was focused on David’s greater praise. What gifts from God have become easy to overlook because your attention has been fixed on what you do not have? [25:20]
- Jesus says that greatness moves downward into service. In a relationship, workplace, church, or home situation where you are tempted to prove yourself, what would humble service look like instead? [30:56]
- Phones and social media give constant access to people who seem ahead of us and people we may feel superior to. Are there particular accounts, habits, or moments of scrolling that feed comparison in you? What boundary or replacement practice could help you fix your eyes on Jesus instead? [33:13]
- The cross speaks against both pride and self-pity: no one can boast before Christ’s holiness, and no one pursued by Christ is worthless or forgotten. Which side of comparison do you need the cross to address most right now, and what truth about Christ’s love do you need to remember? [35:03]
