The Gospel of John: John 13.12-26

Read and meditate on John 13.13.
Jesus offers additional lessons about discipleship and disciple-making.  

                                                          ¹³Since it is so,
You call Me Lord and Teacher, and I am,
¹⁴then learn from My example; understand
if I then, Lord and teacher, washed your feet,
you also ought to wash each other’s feet.
¹⁵For I have shown you that you ought to do
as I have done to you.”

- John 13.13-15

Reflect
1.  Let’s look first at the disciple-making aspects of Jesus’ words here. First, recall that Jesus has commissioned all those taught by the disciples to make disciples. How do you see that in Matthew 28.18-20? Disciple-making makes progress along two fronts, one addressing those who do not believe, and one those who do. Each of these fronts involves a different focus and objective. Explain. Complete this prayer: Lord, I accept that You have called me to make disciples, and today I will have numerous opportunities to do so. As I look ahead to my day…

2.  First, Jesus explained that disciple-making involves showing. This is consistent with what He said in Acts 1.8, where the emphasis is on being a witness rather than merely speaking a witness. Exemplifying what it means to follow Jesus is the ground and starting-point for making disciples on both fronts of our discipleship calling. Why is this so? What does this require of us? Let Your Holy Spirit ever guide, direct, instruct, and convict me, Lord, as I…

3.  Second, discipleship involves explaining what others see in our lives. Peter learned this lesson, and taught us to be ready to explain ourselves. Meditate on 1 Peter 3.15. How can you see in this a reflection of what Jesus explained in this passage? I want to be ready at all times, Lord, to explain my love for You. Today, help me by…

4.  As disciple-makers, we must be ready to show what it means to follow Jesus, and to explain ourselves in the light of His sending us to the world as He was sent (Jn. 20.21). We are to make disciples as we are going about the course of our daily lives. Suggest some ways believers might be more alert to and effective at this important calling to make disciples as we are going. Lord, I am easily distracted from spiritual and eternal matters when I’m going about my daily activities. Help me to…

5.  Finally, Jesus offers an important insight about discipleship, one which He taught throughout the course of His ministry. Meditate on Matthew 7.24-27, Matthew 25.23, and Matthew 25.40 and 45. What do these all have in common with Jesus’ teaching in John 13.13-15? What should we learn about being a disciple from these? Bring together into one prayer the prayers you wrote from questions 1-4.

Summary
“Our Lord first did something then taught it, because Jesus, establishing the pattern of a good teacher, taught nothing except those things that he did.” Venerable Bede (672-735 AD)

How would you describe the state of your discipleship? Are you eager and consistent at doing what the Lord teaches? What about your work of disciple-making? Have you identified your Personal Mission Field? And are you faithfully working it for the purpose of making disciples?

Closing Prayer
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

Psalm 121.1-8

Psalm 121.1-8 (Duke Street: Jesus Shall Reign)
I lift up my eyes up to the heights:
Whence comes my help by day, by night?
My help comes from the Lord above!
He made creation by His love!

God will not let our footsteps fall;
He will preserve us all in all.
He does not slumber, does not sleep;
God will His chosen people keep.

You are our Keeper and our Shade;
You have our debt of sin repaid!
You will preserve us by Your might;
Naught shall afflict us day or night.

Lord, You will guard our lives from ill;
You will our trembling souls keep still.
All our endeavors You will guard;
Eternal praise be Yours, O Lord!

T. M. Moore

Each of us has a Personal Mission Field to which we are called to be and make disciples. Watch this brief video (click here), then download the worksheet and map out your calling to follow Jesus.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series IV a and b: John, edited by Joel C. Elowsky, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006. Verse translation of John by T. M. Moore.