John_13.31-38_BBCC_09.28.25.pdf

of the Sermon:**

In this sermon on John 13:31-38, we explored the defining mark of a true follower of Christ: love. Jesus, in His final hours with the disciples, emphasized the glory of God’s plan unfolding through the cross, even as it appeared to be a moment of shame and defeat. He gave His disciples a new commandment—not just to love as they love themselves, but to love as He has loved them: sacrificially, selflessly, and unconditionally. This love is not a mere feeling or tolerance of sin, but a Christ-like, truth-filled love that unites believers and displays the reality of the gospel to the world. Even when our love falters, as Peter’s did, Jesus remains faithful and calls us to keep loving others as He loves us, making His love visible to a watching world.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Glory in the Unexpected: The cross, though outwardly a symbol of shame and defeat, was in fact the centerpiece of God’s glorious plan. Jesus reframed the disciples’ understanding, showing that God’s purposes often unfold in ways that defy human expectations. When we face situations that seem like setbacks or failures, we can remember that God’s glory is often revealed in the very places we least expect.
• 2. A New Standard of Love: Jesus didn’t just repeat the old command to love others as we love ourselves; He raised the bar to loving as He has loved us. This means our love must be sacrificial, patient, and unconditional, even when it costs us. The benchmark for our relationships is not our own comfort or preferences, but the self-giving love of Christ, which calls us to love even when it’s difficult or undeserved.
• 3. Love as the Mark of Christian Maturity: Spiritual maturity isn’t measured by knowledge or outward acts alone, but by how we apply Christ’s love in our relationships. True maturity is seen when we love those who are different from us, when we seek unity over division, and when we prioritize the family of God over personal preferences. Our willingness to love across differences is a sign that we are growing in Christlikeness.
• 4. The Power and Witness of Love: Jesus said that the world would recognize His disciples by their love for one another. This kind of love is a powerful testimony that points people to Jesus, cutting through cultural, social, and personal barriers. When the church displays genuine, sacrificial love, it becomes a living billboard for the gospel, inviting others to see and experience the love of Christ.
• 5. Grace for Our Failures in Love: Like Peter, we all fall short in loving others as Jesus commands. Pride, fear, and self-interest can get in the way, but Jesus’ love for us remains steadfast even when we fail. He calls us to set aside our pride, receive His love afresh, and let that love flow through us to others—knowing that our ability to love comes from Him, not from our own strength.

1. In John 13:31-32, what word does Jesus repeat several times, and what is He referring to when He uses it?
2. According to verses 34-35, what is the “new commandment” Jesus gives, and how is it different from previous commands about love?
3. How does Jesus describe the way His followers are to love one another?
4. What does Jesus say will be the result or impact when His disciples love one another in this way?

1. Why does Jesus call the cross a moment of “glory” even though it looks like defeat and shame from a human perspective?
2. What does it mean to love “as I have loved you” instead of just “as you love yourself”? How does this raise the standard for Christian love?
3. According to Jesus, how does the way Christians love each other serve as a witness to the world? Why do you think this is so powerful?
4. Peter claimed he would lay down his life for Jesus, but Jesus predicted Peter’s failure. What does this teach about our own ability to love others perfectly? How does Jesus respond to our failures?

1. Think about a time when you faced a situation that felt like a setback or failure. Looking back, can you see how God might have been working for His glory in that moment? How does this perspective help you trust God in hard times?
2. Jesus commands us to love others as He has loved us—sacrificially, selflessly, and unconditionally. Who in your life is hard for you to love this way? What is one practical step you can take this week to show Christ-like love to that person?
3. Are there people in your church or Christian community who are very different from you—maybe in background, personality, or opinions? How can you pursue unity and love with them, even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient?
4. The sermon mentioned that sometimes Christians treat non-believers better than they treat each other. Have you ever seen or experienced this? What do you think causes it, and how can you help change that in your own relationships?
5. When you fail to love others as Jesus commands—maybe because of pride, fear, or self-interest—how do you usually respond? What would it look like to receive Jesus’ love afresh and let it flow through you, even after you’ve messed up?
6. Jesus said the world will know we are His disciples by our love for one another. If someone who doesn’t know Jesus watched how you interact with other believers, what would they see? Is there anything you want to change so that Christ’s love is more visible in your life?
7. The sermon talked about not just loving in word, but in action. What is one specific way you can make Jesus’ love visible to someone in your church or community this week?