About Jesus, To Be Like Him
Throughout the centuries, the phrase “What Would Jesus Do?” has challenged believers to live intentionally with, compassion, and integrity. Yet beyond the slogan lies a deeper invitation—a call not simply to admire Jesus from a distance, but to walk as He walked, love as He loved, and live as He lived.
The goal is simple yet profound: to pattern life more closely after the example of Christ. To go beyond familiar stories and step into deeper discipleship. To move the question “What would Jesus do?” from a phrase into a practice.
Session
1 – “The Servant King”- John
13:1–17
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Printable Handout
Focus: Jesus’ Humility and Servant-Hearted Leadership
LOOK FOR as you read:
Jesus knew who He was—and still chose humility.
Worldly leadership demands to be served; Jesus serves.
Jesus washed all the disciples’ feet—including Peter (who would deny Him) and Judas (who would betray Him).
Servant-heartedness is not optional for followers of Jesus—it is essential.
READ: John 13:1–17
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
COMMENT:
In this intimate scene during the final hours of His life, Jesus shows His disciples what greatness looks like in the Kingdom of God. Though fully aware of His divine nature, power, and mission, He takes the role of a servant—removing His outer robe, kneeling, and washing the dirt off their feet.
This task was considered so menial that Jewish servants were often exempt from doing it; it was left to the lowest Gentile slave. Yet the Son of God performs it, even for Judas, who would soon betray Him.
Jesus turns the world’s idea of leadership upside-down. Instead of using power for personal gain, He uses it to serve others. He shows us that true greatness is expressed in humble service, and He commands His followers to live the same way.
Key Verse: “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” – John 13:14
HOW DOES THIS HELP ME BE LIKE JESUS:
When you step into the posture of a humble servant—lowering status, meeting needs, offering practical love—you mirror the heart of Christ. Foot-washing isn’t just a quaint ritual; it’s a template for every small kindness and every radical act of love. Each time you choose to serve without expecting anything in return, you’re not only obeying Jesus’ command—you’re becoming more like Him in attitude and action.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU:
At first glance, the scandalous part of this story is that the Messiah would soil His hands on dusty, grimy feet. But even more startling is Jesus’ insistence that unless He washes us, “you have no part with me” (John 13:8). That’s not a foot-bath preference; it’s a spiritual necessity. He’s teaching that our greatest need isn’t moral improvement or good intentions—it’s complete cleansing that only He can provide. In other words, humility isn’t optional; it’s inseparable from the life He offers.
TO THE POINT:
Jesus didn’t just teach servanthood; He lived it. His every movement that night—from laying down His outer robe to draping the towel around His waist—spoke louder than any sermon about loving your neighbor. We’re called to follow that pattern:
Drop status: Sit beside someone society overlooks.
Meet physical needs: Bring water to the elderly, push a stroller, share your lunch.
Give time, not just money: Listen deeply to someone’s story.
Prioritize people over pride: Apologize first, forgive quickly, bridge relational gaps. Each of these choices echoes Jesus’ towel and basin—tiny yet improving our steps on the journey to becoming more like Him.
Discussion Questions:
What surprises you most about Jesus in this passage?
Why is it important that Jesus served even Judas and Peter?
How does this act help define what it means to be Christlike?
What are some “foot washing” actions you can take in your life right now? (Think of small acts of service or unexpected kindness.)
Do you struggle with pride or the desire to be recognized? How might Jesus’ example challenge you?
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: The Basin and the Towel
There once was a king who ruled not from a throne, but from a garden bench, not with scepters, but with calloused hands. His palace was wherever his people were—dusty roads, crowded dinners, quiet hillsides. They called him Master, but he wore the name like a whisper, not a crown.
One evening, with shadows stretching long and hearts heavy with the unknown, he knelt.
Not one of his friends stopped him. Not one insisted he shouldn't. Maybe they were too shocked. Maybe too ashamed. The King—kneeling—holding a basin in one hand and a towel in the other.
He moved from one to the next, water sloshing softly, soil and sweat washing away under tender hands. The same hands that had touched blind eyes and broken hearts now cradled tired feet. Rough, unremarkable feet. Feet that would flee him by morning.
Still, he washed.
It was not just dirt that fell away. It was pride. It was position. It was the unspoken fear that to love deeply is to be made low. And in that lowering, the King showed them what real power looks like.
Not in rising high, but in stooping low.
Not in commanding, but in serving.
Not in being worshiped, but in washing.
And still today, He kneels.
In the quiet corners of our lives—the hidden places, the tired places—He brings the basin and the towel. Not to shame us, but to show us: This is the way of the Kingdom.
GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT:
Take a few moments in silence. Imagine Jesus kneeling to wash your feet.
How would you respond to Him?
What is He asking you to do in return?
Who in your life may need love expressed through a humble act?
Write down one action you can take this week to quietly serve someone else.
Session
2 – “Compassion That Moves”- Mark
1:40–45
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Printable Handout
Focus: Jesus’ Compassion for the Hurting
LOOK FOR as you read:
Encourage your group to notice these three movements in Jesus:
His emotional life: Jesus is not detached—He feels.
His boldness: He risks social disapproval and ceremonial impurity to embrace the hurting.
His action: Compassion leads to touch, healing, and restoration.
READ: Mark 1:40–45
40 A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
41 Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
43 Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: 44 “See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.
COMMENT:
Leprosy in the ancient world was not only a painful skin disease—it was a sentence of social exile. The man in this story was unclean in every sense: physically, ritually, and socially.
He breaks cultural rules by approaching Jesus directly, and Jesus does the unthinkable in return: He touches the man. Under Jewish law, this would have made Jesus “unclean.” But instead, Jesus' purity and compassion reverse the contamination—He heals, and He restores.
The word translated “indignant” in verse 41 may also be rendered as “moved with compassion” in other manuscripts. Either way, Jesus is deeply emotionally stirred. His compassion is not distant or polite—it is costly, personal, and active.
By touching the man, Jesus restores his dignity as much as his body. True Christlike compassion is more than feeling sorry—it moves toward the suffering, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Key Verse: “Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’” – Mark 1:41
HOW DOES THIS HELP ME BE LIKE JESUS:
When you choose to act on compassion—stepping into another’s pain, crossing social taboos, and offering practical care—you’re not just feeling for them, you’re doing what Jesus did. Every time you slow down to notice someone’s suffering and respond with loving touch or a helping hand, you’re practicing the very compassion that defined Christ’s ministry. That posture of sacrificial love reshapes your heart to look more like His.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU:
Most of us read Mark 1:40–45 as a straightforward healing story, but the deeper scandal is Jesus bypassing the entire Levitical cleansing process. There’s no priest, no sin‐offering, no ritual at all—Jesus Himself becomes both priest and sacrifice, declaring “Be clean” by His word and touch. In doing so He shows that true restoration isn’t merely physical or ceremonial; it’s an intimate act of divine authority that reunites the outcast with God’s people.
TO THE POINT:
Jesus didn’t just remove disease; He reclaimed a man’s identity and place in community. He touched the untouchable to say, “You belong.” Here’s how we follow that pattern today:
Enter spaces of exclusion: Visit someone in a hospice or jail.
Restore dignity: Speak someone’s name, look them in the eye, offer a kind word.
Bring tangible aid: Deliver groceries, share a meal, give your coat to someone cold.
Champion the hidden: Write notes of encouragement to those overlooked in your church or workplace.
Bridge divides: Befriend a refugee family, welcome a new neighbor, break bread across barriers.
Each of these steps echoes Jesus’ reaching‐out hand—simple acts that carry the power to heal, include, and restore just as He did.
Discussion Questions:
What do you think the man with leprosy expected when he approached Jesus?
Why is it significant that Jesus touched him rather than just spoke a word?
What does this teach us about how we treat those who are isolated, sick, or rejected?
Are there people today who are “untouchable” in our society? How might we reach them?
What’s one way you can move from feeling compassion to taking action this week?
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: The Touch That Shouldn't Have Happened
He had forgotten what it felt like.
The warmth
of another’s hand.
The simple joy of not being feared.
For years, the leper had lived on the edge—outside the town, outside the temple, outside of love. People didn’t see him anymore. They saw the disease. They saw the risk. They saw the rules. So he kept his distance. Covered his mouth. Hid his skin. Became invisible.
But
one day, he broke the rule.
One step. Then another. Toward Him.
The Healer.
His voice
cracked, desperate, trembling with the raw ache of a thousand silent
days:
“If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
And then came the moment no one saw coming.
Jesus reached out... and touched him.
He
could
have healed with a word.
He could
have stayed safe, untouched by pain.
But compassion doesn’t
keep its distance.
Jesus’ compassion moves. It reaches through the untouchable, the untamed, the unclean. It breaks the rules that fear builds. His touch didn’t just heal the man’s skin—it restored his dignity. His place. His name.
Because
Jesus didn’t just see a leper.
He saw a man. A son. A soul.
There are
still many living in invisible places.
Ashamed. Unworthy.
Untouchable.
May
we follow Jesus into those places.
May our
compassion move.
With
hands extended.
With hearts broken open.
With love that
dares to reach where others won’t.
GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT:
Spend a few minutes in silence. Picture the moment: a lonely, outcast man kneels before Jesus. Everyone else keeps their distance. But Jesus kneels down, reaches out, and touches him.
Have you ever felt “untouchable” or unworthy? Imagine Jesus reaching for you with compassion.
Ask the Lord to reveal someone in your life who may feel forgotten, unclean, or left out.
Write down one simple way you can act with compassion this week: a phone call, a letter, a prayer, a gift, a kind word.
Session
3 – “Obedient to the Father”- Luke
22:39–46
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Printable Handout
Focus: Jesus’ Submission to God’s Will
LOOK FOR as you read:
Jesus is emotionally honest—He does not hide His anguish.
He models prayer as the pathway to strength and surrender.
He chooses obedience, knowing it will cost Him dearly.
God sends strength (through an angel), though not a rescue from suffering.
READ: Luke 22:39–46
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
COMMENT:
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faces the full weight of what is to come—betrayal, humiliation, and the suffering of the cross. It is one of the most emotionally intense moments in all of Scripture.
Jesus does not pretend to be unaffected. He openly asks the Father if there is another way. His prayer is honest, intimate, and full of anguish. Yet it is also trusting. He surrenders, not out of weakness, but from deep resolve: “Not my will, but yours be done.”
This moment reveals the heart of Christian obedience. Obedience is not blind or emotionless. It is a decision to trust God’s wisdom even when His will leads through suffering. Jesus’ prayer life here shows us that true obedience begins on our knees—with prayer, dependence, and surrender.
Key Verse: “Yet not my will, but yours be done.” – Luke 22:42b
HOW DOES THIS HELP ME BE LIKE JESUS:
When you choose God’s will over your own desires—even when it costs comfort or safety—you mirror Jesus in Gethsemane. Honest prayer, submission in hardship, and a readiness to embrace God’s purposes shape your character to reflect Christ’s trust and obedience, teaching you to follow Him not just in word, but in costly action.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU:
The name “Gethsemane” literally means “oil press,” evoking the image of olives crushed to produce precious oil—a fitting metaphor for Jesus’ agony as He accepted the Father’s plan. Even more striking is that Jesus didn’t first confirm His resolve on the cross but in the garden, where He chose to shed His blood for us. As preacher Stephen Davey notes, in that moment Jesus became both priest and sacrifice, succeeding where the first Adam failed by willingly taking up the cup of suffering.
TO THE POINT:
Jesus’ submission in Gethsemane sets a clear pattern for us: • Pray with honesty: Lay your fears and doubts before God, just as Jesus did. • Choose obedience over ease: Volunteer for the hard task, speak the hard truth, extend forgiveness when it hurts. • Embrace “small Gethsemanes”: When trials come, whisper “Not my will” and lean into God’s greater story. • Support one another: Sit with someone awaiting difficult news, hold a friend accountable in love, carry another’s burdens in prayer. By these simple yet sacrificial acts, you live out the obedient heart of Christ every day.
Discussion Questions:
What does Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane teach us about how to approach God in difficult times?
Why is it important that Jesus asked, “Take this cup from me,” before saying, “Not my will”?
What does this scene reveal about the connection between prayer and obedience?
Have you ever had to surrender something difficult to God? What helped you?
How can Jesus’ example shape the way you pray today—especially in times of uncertainty or grief?
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: The Garden of Yes
The night was thick with silence.
Not the peaceful kind, but the kind that presses heavy on your chest. The kind that whispers of coming pain. Jesus walked into the garden—not to escape, but to surrender. It was the same place He had often gone to pray. But this time, the prayers would bleed.
The olive trees stood still, ancient and watching, their roots twisted deep into the earth. Beneath them, the Son of God bent to the ground, trembling. The weight wasn’t just sorrow. It was decision. Would He drink the cup? Would He walk the road, knowing where it led?
"Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me..."
Even Jesus—fully God, fully man—wrestled in that garden. Not with rebellion, but with reality. Obedience, in this moment, would cost everything.
Then came the words that cracked the silence, words that shaped eternity:
"Yet not My will, but Yours be done."
He said yes.
Not
because it was easy.
Not because it was painless.
But
because love obeys.
And in that garden of shadows, Jesus planted the deepest seed of surrender the world has ever known. A “yes” that would bloom into salvation.
GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT:
Find a quiet space. Picture Jesus in the garden—alone, sorrowful, wrestling in prayer. Then reflect:
- What “cup” have you asked God to take from you recently?
- Are you struggling to surrender a specific area of your life to God’s will?
- What would it look like for you to pray, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” today?
Write a short prayer of surrender, giving God one specific area of concern or control.
Session
4 – “Welcoming the Outcast”- Luke
19:1–10
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Printable Handout
Focus: Jesus’ Inclusiveness
LOOK FOR as you read:
Jesus initiates the relationship with Zacchaeus.
Zacchaeus experiences radical welcome—before he has changed.
Transformation flows from being seen and loved, not shamed.
Repentance is real and practical—Zacchaeus gives and restores.
READ: Luke 19:1–10
1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.
5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”
9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
COMMENT:
Zacchaeus was despised by his community. As a chief tax collector, he was viewed as a traitor working for the Roman Empire and likely profiting unjustly. Yet when Jesus comes to town, Zacchaeus climbs a tree—not just to see Jesus, but perhaps hoping not to be seen.
But Jesus stops, looks up, and calls him by name. He doesn’t wait for Zacchaeus to prove himself first. Instead, He invites Himself in, offering friendship and honor to someone others had written off. This act of grace leads to repentance and change.
Jesus doesn’t ignore Zacchaeus’ sin. Instead, He enters his life and Zacchaeus’ heart is transformed. He voluntarily makes restitution and turns his wealth toward helping others.
This is the rhythm of Christ’s ministry: grace first, then repentance follows. Jesus welcomes the outcast not to excuse sin, but to call the sinner home.
Key Verse: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:10
HOW DOES THIS HELP ME BE LIKE JESUS:
Jesus didn’t wait for Zacchaeus to clean up his life—He sought him out amid the crowd, looked past a tarnished reputation, and offered relationship first. When you cross social or cultural lines to see people as Christ does—inviting them into friendship, listening without judgment, speaking grace before rebuke—you’re living out His radical welcome and helping others encounter the transforming love of God.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU:
In first-century Israel, no devout Jew would willingly dine in a tax collector’s home—these men were labeled unclean traitors. Yet Jesus not only ate with Zacchaeus, He invited Himself over: a scandalous act that shattered purification laws and religious barriers. Even more astonishing, when Zacchaeus responded in faith, he pledged to give half his wealth to the poor and repay anyone he’d cheated four times the amount—a level of restitution unheard of under Mosaic law.
TO THE POINT:
Jesus’ choice to enter the home of an outcast and provoke genuine repentance gives us a clear playbook:
Cross divides: Share a meal with someone from a different background or viewpoint.
See beyond sin: Call out hurtful behavior gently, but lead with compassion.
Encourage restoration: Help someone make right a past wrong—whether it’s an apology, financial restitution, or practical support.
Include the overlooked: Invite a “Zacchaeus” at work or church to coffee and ask about their story.
Witness through presence: Simply being present in someone’s hardship can open the door to transformation.
Each of these steps echoes Jesus’ unexpected invitation—transforming lives through love that welcomes first and calls to repentance second.
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus? What might he have been feeling?
What stands out to you about Jesus’ invitation to Zacchaeus?
How does this story challenge the way we treat people we consider “too far gone”?
What does Zacchaeus’ response tell us about what real repentance looks like?
Who are the “outcasts” today—people who might feel unwelcome in church or in your life? How can we follow Jesus in welcoming them?
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: The Tree and the Table
He wasn’t
tall, but he had built quite a tower—
not of stone, but of
coins and choices.
Brick by brick, deal by deal, Zacchaeus had
climbed his way up in the world, only to find himself utterly alone
at the top.
They
called him a traitor. A thief.
And maybe he was.
But
something in him still ached for more.
So when Jesus came to
town, Zacchaeus did what desperate people do—he ran ahead and
climbed a tree.
Not to be
noticed.
Just to see.
Yet Jesus did notice.
He looked up—not just at the man in the branches, but through the years of greed and isolation. And with a voice full of joy and scandal, Jesus said:
"Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."
The
crowd gasped. Doesn’t
He know who that is?
Yes.
He knew.
And He still chose the table.
Jesus didn’t wait for Zacchaeus to clean up his life or fix his reputation. He walked straight into the mess, because love doesn’t stand at the door—it comes in and sits down.
There is a Zacchaeus in all of us—parts we hide in the trees, afraid we’re too far gone, too stained, too different.
But Jesus
looks up.
He calls us by name.
And He invites Himself in.
Not
because we’ve earned a place at the table,
but because He came
to set the table for us all.
Let
this be the reminder:
No one is too lost to be found.
No
one is too far to be welcomed.
And in Jesus’ kingdom, outcasts
eat first.
GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT:
Imagine Jesus walking down your street. You watch from the window, maybe even trying not to be noticed. Then He stops and says your name. He says, “I’m coming to your house today.”
How would you feel?
What would you want to say to Him?
Are there people in your life who need to feel the kind of welcome you’ve received from Jesus?
Write a short prayer of thanksgiving for how Jesus has welcomed you, and ask Him to show you how to extend that grace to someone else this week.
Session
5 – “Speaking Truth with Grace”- John
4:1–26
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Printable Handout
Focus: Jesus’ Honesty, Gentleness, and Courage
LOOK FOR as you read:
Jesus initiates dialogue with someone others would avoid.
He speaks truthfully about sin but with gentleness, not condemnation.
The woman responds not with shame, but with openness and transformation.
Jesus connects personal honesty with the invitation to worship and know God.
READ: John 4:1–26
Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman
1 Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 So he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee.
4 Now he had to go through Samaria. 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)
10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
11 “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”
16 He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”
17 “I have no husband,” she replied.
Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. 18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
COMMENT:
Jesus, weary from travel, sits at a well and breaks multiple social boundaries in a single sentence: “Will you give me a drink?” He speaks not only to a woman, but to a Samaritan—a group despised by Jews—and to someone living in social shame, drawing water alone at noon.
Rather than avoid or condemn her, Jesus gently but clearly reveals the truth about her life. He doesn’t shame her. Instead, He leads her deeper—from physical thirst to spiritual thirst. He points her to Himself as the source of living water and the promised Messiah.
This story shows the power of honest, grace-filled conversation. Jesus neither avoids the truth nor uses it to wound. Instead, He speaks with compassion and courage, drawing her toward transformation.
Key Verse: “God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24
HOW DOES THIS HELP ME BE LIKE JESUS:
When you embrace both honesty and kindness in your conversations—speaking hard truths without crushing spirits—you reflect the very posture Jesus took at the well. By balancing courage with compassion, you cultivate a Christ-like presence that builds people up even as you call them to new life.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU:
Jesus shocks the religious status quo by declaring that true worshipers “will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23–24). He doesn’t just sidestep the mountain-vs-Jerusalem debate; He obliterates it, shifting worship from external place-based rites to an intimate, Spirit-driven encounter. Suddenly faith isn’t a pilgrimage or a set of rituals but an inner, ongoing dialogue with God open to every heart.
TO THE POINT:
Jesus models for us a pattern of speaking truth with grace that we can emulate today:
Ask open-ended questions that invite honest self-reflection rather than judgment.
Listen actively—maintain eye contact, nod encouragement, repeat back what you hear.
Offer “living water” by pointing people to the Holy Spirit as their true source of hope and healing.
Cross barriers—strike up gospel conversations with someone of a different background or worldview.
Share your story humbly: let your own journey of remorse and redemption illustrate God’s transforming power.
By these simple yet intentional steps, you mirror Jesus’ gentle courage and invite others into the life-changing reality of worshiping in spirit and in truth.
Discussion Questions:
Why is it significant that Jesus spoke with this woman, given her background and social standing?
How does Jesus balance honesty and grace in this conversation?
What do you think made the woman feel safe enough to continue talking with Him?
Have you ever experienced someone speaking hard truth to you with love? How did it affect you?
How can we, like Jesus, speak the truth in love to those around us—especially those outside the church?
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: The Well and the Wound
She came
when no one else would.
Midday heat. Empty path.
A jar in
her hand, and shame on her shoulders.
She didn’t
expect to find anyone there—
least of all a Jewish man,
resting by the well.
She
expected judgment. Silence. Avoidance.
But instead, He spoke.
“Will you give me a drink?”
One question. One crack in the wall she had built around herself.
Jesus
had every reason to ignore her:
wrong gender, wrong race, wrong
reputation.
But He stayed. And He saw
her.
He saw
beyond the labels.
Beyond the broken relationships.
Beyond
the woman who avoided the morning crowds.
And yet—He didn’t ignore her truth.
“Go, call your husband…”
With those words, He touched the wound she thought was hidden. Not to shame her—but to heal her.
Because
truth without grace crushes.
But grace without truth doesn’t
change.
Jesus
brought both.
Gently. Boldly. Lovingly.
He
spoke to
her, not about
her.
He didn’t lower the standard—He lifted her up to meet
it.
We are all
wells holding water we think will satisfy.
And we are all women
at the well, longing to be known without being condemned.
Jesus
meets us there—at our most ordinary, most vulnerable place.
He
speaks truth we need and grace we crave.
And in doing so, He turns shame into testimony.
"Come,
see a man who told me everything I ever did…"
And still,
He stayed.
May
we learn to speak like Jesus:
With honesty that frees.
With
gentleness that invites.
And with courage that comes from love,
not pride.
GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT:
She came to the well alone—probably because she felt ashamed or rejected.
Jesus met her there, saw her fully, and offered her hope.
Ask yourself:
Are there parts of your story you try to hide—even from God?
What might Jesus be gently saying to you in those places today?
Write a brief prayer asking the Lord to give you the courage to be honest—with Him and with others—and to speak with love and grace, like Jesus.
Session
6 – “The Prayer Life of Jesus”- Mark
1:35–39; Luke 6:12–13
—
Printable Handout
Focus: Jesus’ Communion with the Father
LOOK FOR as you read:
Jesus prayed consistently, even when He was busy or exhausted.
Prayer provided direction—it came before major decisions.
Prayer brought strength—spiritually and emotionally.
Jesus’ relationship with the Father was close, personal, and regular.
READ: Mark 1:35–39; Luke 6:12–13
Mark 1:35–39
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”
38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Luke 6:12–13
12 One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13 When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:
COMMENT:
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus often steps away from crowds, ministry, and even His closest friends to spend time alone with the Father. In Mark 1, Jesus rises early to pray after a day of intense healing and teaching. Instead of riding the wave of popularity, He seeks quiet connection with God to regain clarity and direction.
In Luke 6, before choosing His twelve apostles, Jesus spends the entire night in prayer. His decisions were saturated in prayer. This wasn’t just a habit—it was the heartbeat of His life.
Jesus didn’t pray simply because He “should.” He prayed because He loved the Father. His prayer life shows us that communion with God is not an extra piece of our spiritual life—it’s the center.
Key Verse: “Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” – Mark 1:35
HOW DOES THIS HELP ME BE LIKE JESUS:
When you carve out time to step away from noise and pour your heart out to God, you’re following Jesus’ lead. Each intentional moment of prayer deepens your dependence on the Father, aligns your will with His, and shapes your character to mirror Christ’s trust and intimacy with God.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU:
It might catch you off guard that Jesus—fully God, sovereign and all-knowing—didn’t pray to inform or persuade the Father but to model the inner life of the Trinity. His prayers weren’t a “need fix” but an expression of relational communion, showing that true power flows not from self-reliance but from a dependence on the Father’s guiding hand.
TO THE POINT:
Jesus’ prayer habits give us a clear blueprint for spiritual vitality:
Rise early: Just as Mark 1:35 shows, let the quiet of dawn draw you into God’s presence.
Withdraw regularly: Carve out “Gethsemane moments” where you escape the world’s demands and listen for God’s voice.
Pray before decisions: Seek guidance in everyday choices—relationships, work, even small plans.
Intercede for others: Lift up friends, neighbors, and even critics, following Jesus’ example of praying for all people.
Balance solitude and community: Commit to private prayer rhythms and join a prayer circle—let shared intercession strengthen your faith.
By weaving these practices into your life, you echo Jesus’ communion with the Father, making prayer the pulse of everything you do.
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think Jesus often withdrew to pray alone?
What do these passages teach us about the timing and priority of prayer?
How might our lives change if we paused to pray before decisions, like Jesus did?
What keeps us from setting aside time to be alone with God?
What might it look like for you to follow Jesus’ prayer habits in your daily life—no matter your age or health?
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: The Quiet Place
Long
before the sun touched the horizon,
before the crowds stirred
and the needs woke up again,
Jesus was already gone.
Not
far.
Just away.
Up a
hillside.
Into the stillness.
To a place no one else had
thought to go.
Not because He needed escape—but because He needed communion.
In the quiet, Jesus spoke with the Father.
No
stage.
No audience.
Just love in its purest, most unbroken
form.
Later, the disciples would search frantically for Him. “Everyone is looking for You!” they said, breathless. As if they thought the crowds were more urgent than the silence. But Jesus knew something they hadn’t yet learned:
Power
doesn’t come from being constantly available.
It comes from
being deeply connected.
Before He
healed, He prayed.
Before He taught, He listened.
Before He
called the twelve, He spent all night in conversation with the
Father.
His public strength was rooted in private surrender.
We live in a loud world—always calling, always needing, always moving.
But Jesus shows us a different rhythm.
Retreat. Commune. Obey. Repeat.
The quiet
place isn’t a luxury.
It’s the lifeline.
What might
change if we began our days like Jesus?
Not scrolling. Not
solving. But seeking.
Not
asking first, “What do I need to do today?”
But instead,
“Father, what do You
want to do in me today?”
He is
still waiting in the quiet places.
Not to rush you.
But to
renew you.
Because communion with the Father isn’t part of the work.
It is the work.
GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT:
Take a moment of stillness. Imagine Jesus early in the morning, stepping away from the crowds, walking into the quiet to speak with His Father.
What does this image stir in you?
How often do you withdraw—even briefly—to pray?
Are there decisions, worries, or people you need to bring before God today?
Write down a short prayer in your own words. You might include:
- Something you’re thankful for
- A question you’re holding before God
- A simple request for strength, peace, or direction
Session
7 – “Love Your Enemies”- Matthew
5:43–48
—
Printable Handout
Focus: Radical Love and Forgiveness
LOOK FOR as you read:
Divine love is unconditional—God gives blessings (sun, rain) to all.
Forgiveness is not weakness but spiritual strength.
Loving enemies is not optional—it reflects the character of God.
Jesus modeled this perfectly at the cross.
READ: Matthew 5:43–48
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
COMMENT:
In this portion of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus challenges the natural human impulse toward retaliation and tribalism. He reframes love—not as something we reserve for friends and family, but as the very character of God that should define His people.
Loving one’s enemies may seem impossible, but Jesus presents it as a mark of spiritual maturity: “that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” In other words, to love like this is to resemble God—to act as His sons and daughters.
This radical love is not just an emotion; it’s an act of the will. Jesus commands us to pray for those who wrong us, and in doing so, He gives us a path to freedom and healing. Forgiveness, while difficult, is a spiritual discipline that breaks the cycle of bitterness and hate.
Jesus didn’t merely preach this—He lived it. On the cross, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” That moment, more than any other, defines what it means to love your enemies.
Key Verse: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:44–45a
HOW DOES THIS HELP ME BE LIKE JESUS:
When you choose to love those who hurt you—seeking their good, praying for their well-being, and refusing retaliation—you step into Jesus’ radical posture. This discipline trains your heart to mirror His unconditional love and break the cycle of vengeance, shaping you into a bearer of His reconciling grace.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU:
In a culture that equates love with mutual benefit, Jesus flips the script: He commands us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” not as a nice suggestion but as the essence of Kingdom ethics. This isn’t about passive tolerance; it’s an intentional act of the will to seek someone’s welfare and release yourself from the prison of resentment. It’s both countercultural and counterintuitive—yet Jesus shows that true freedom and witness come when we love those who wish us harm.
TO THE POINT:
Jesus didn’t just teach enemy-love; He lived it—praying for His executioners from the cross. We follow His pattern by:
Praying specifically: lift up names of those who oppose or hurt you.
Doing good: send an encouraging note, offer practical help, or share resources with someone at odds with you.
Speaking well: talk positively about them when they’re not around.
Seeking understanding: ask honest questions about their perspective, listening without defense.
Forgiving actively: release past wrongs in word and deed, affirming you won’t seek revenge.
Each step echoes Christ’s courageous love—transforming hearts, communities, and ultimately reflecting the perfection of our Father.
Discussion Questions:
What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “Be perfect as your Father is perfect”?
Why is loving enemies so hard? What fears or barriers come up?
Can you think of a time when showing love or forgiveness changed a difficult relationship?
How does prayer help us to begin forgiving someone who has hurt us deeply?
In what ways can the church demonstrate this kind of love in a divided world?
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: The Hardest Road
There’s a road most of us avoid.
It’s
steep, narrow, and lined with names we’d rather forget—
those
who’ve hurt us, betrayed us, misunderstood us.
And yet,
Jesus walked it.
And He calls us to follow.
“You
have heard it said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But
I tell you, love your enemies…”
Love
them?
Not
tolerate. Not ignore.
But love?
That’s
not fair. That’s not natural.
Exactly.
Jesus
isn’t inviting us to love the way the world loves—easy, safe,
reciprocal.
He’s inviting us to love like the Father.
The
One who sends rain on the just and unjust.
The One who gave His
Son while we were still sinners.
The One who loved us
when we were enemies.
Radical
love is not weakness—it’s war.
A war against
bitterness.
Against vengeance.
Against the easy way out.
It prays
for the one who gossiped.
It blesses the one who wounded.
It
releases the one who will never say sorry.
This
love doesn’t mean pretending the pain wasn’t real.
It means
choosing that love
is more powerful than hate.
We cannot
do it alone.
But we don’t have to.
Because
Jesus doesn’t just command
love—
He
empowers it.
At the
foot of the cross, where forgiveness flowed freely,
He gives us
what we do not have on our own:
The courage to bless where we’ve
been broken.
The strength to forgive what feels
unforgivable.
The grace to become like Him.
And as we
walk this hardest road,
we find something unexpected:
Freedom.
GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT:
Quiet your heart. Read the Scripture again. Picture someone who has hurt or disappointed you—recently or long ago. Don’t rush this.
Can you pray for them honestly today?
Ask God to help you see them as He does.
You may not feel ready to forgive—but you can ask for the willingness to begin.
Write a simple prayer, such as: “Lord, help me to forgive as You have forgiven me. Give me strength to love even when it’s hard, and let Your grace change my heart.”
Session
8 – “Carrying the Cross”- Luke
9:23–26
—
Printable Handout
Focus: Sacrifice and Discipleship
LOOK FOR as you read:
Following Jesus means choosing God’s will over our own comfort.
Denying self is not about self-hatred, but about reordering our desires under God’s leadership.
True discipleship includes daily surrender—small and large choices that shape our lives.
There is eternal value in following Jesus, even when the cost is great.
READ: Luke 9:23–26
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
COMMENT:
Jesus speaks plainly here. There is nothing sugar-coated about His invitation to follow Him. The path of discipleship is marked not by ease, but by surrender.
To “take up your cross” in Jesus’ day was to embrace death—a daily decision to deny one’s self-centered desires. This doesn’t mean we seek suffering for its own sake. Rather, it means we willingly choose obedience to God, even when it costs us something—comfort, pride, reputation, or personal plans.
The paradox is striking: trying to “save” our lives (by putting ourselves first) leads to loss. But losing our lives for Christ—letting go of control and living sacrificially—leads to real, eternal life. Jesus teaches that the soul is more valuable than the whole world.
This is not a one-time decision. It is a daily rhythm of sacrifice, trust, and obedience.
Key Verse: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” – Luke 9:23
HOW DOES THIS HELP ME BE LIKE JESUS:
When you choose to “take up your cross” daily—denying selfish desires, surrendering comfort, and embracing God’s purposes in each moment—you practice the same costly obedience Jesus modeled. This lifelong posture of self-denial shapes your character to mirror Christ’s total trust in the Father, forging in you the resilience and humility that defined His journey to the cross.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU:
We often think “carrying a cross” means enduring hardship, but in Jesus’ day the cross was a public symbol of shame, torture, and death. His command to “deny yourself and take up your cross” isn’t a call to mere perseverance; it’s an invitation to put your own plans and ambitions to death, relinquishing control entirely to God’s will.
TO THE POINT:
Jesus didn’t just teach sacrifice—He embodied it. He carried the instrument of His own execution to Calvary, showing that true discipleship costs everything. Here’s how to follow His example today:
Deny comfort: Give up a personal convenience—skip a favorite pastime—to serve someone in need.
Lose your agenda: When God’s call conflicts with your plans, choose His path even if it feels risky.
Choose the hard right: Speak truth in love, even when silence or compromise is easier.
Offer tangible sacrifice: Commit time, resources, or reputation to a cause that reflects Christ’s heart.
Embrace daily surrender: Each morning, pray “not my will” and mean it, trusting God with your day’s outcomes. These small, costly choices echo Jesus’ journey to the cross, forging in us the same spirit of sacrificial love and unwavering obedience.
Discussion Questions:
What do you think Jesus meant by “take up your cross daily”?
Why do you think self-denial is a key part of discipleship?
Have you experienced a moment when following Jesus required sacrifice? How did you respond?
How can older believers still live out this call to daily discipleship—even if they are physically limited?
In what areas of life might God be calling you to surrender more fully to Him today?
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: The Crossroad
Imagine standing at a crossroads.
One path is easy—soft underfoot, familiar, inviting. It promises comfort, safety, the approval of the crowd.
The other path is narrow, rough, marked by a heavy burden. It demands surrender, sacrifice, and sometimes walking alone.
Jesus stands there with you, not waving from a distance, but walking beside you, carrying His own cross.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
To
carry the cross is to say no
to the voice inside that whispers, “Look out for yourself
first.”
It’s to choose the way of love when it costs.
It’s
to pick grace when it’s easier to judge.
It’s to keep
walking when the crowd turns away.
But this burden is not meant to crush.
It is meant to shape.
Each step
on the narrow path molds us closer to Him—
The One who carried
the cross not as a victim, but as a victorious servant.
He bore the weight of our sin, our shame, our failures—so we wouldn’t have to carry them alone.
Following
Jesus is not a one-time decision.
It’s a daily choosing.
A
daily surrender.
What cross
are you holding today?
What sacrifice is He calling you to
make—not for punishment, but for freedom?
He promises something else at this crossroads:
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory.”
The invitation is clear: follow, even when it’s hard. Follow, even when it costs. Follow, because on this path lies true life.
May
we have the courage to carry our crosses,
knowing we follow the
Servant King who carried His for us.
GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT:
Take a moment to sit quietly before the Lord. Ask Him:
“Where am I clinging to comfort instead of following You?”
“What do I need to lay down in order to live more fully for You?”
Then, reflect on this question: - What might it look like to “take up your cross” from where you are today?
Write a prayer of surrender, something like: - “Jesus, I want to follow You with all my heart. Help me to lay down my pride, my fears, and anything that keeps me from Your path. Let my life—even in small ways—be a daily offering to You.”
Session
9 – “Resurrection Life”- John
20:19–29
—
Printable Handout
Focus: Living in the Power and Hope of the Resurrection
LOOK FOR as you read:
Jesus restores faith gently, especially for those who doubt (like Thomas).
Resurrection brings peace that overcomes fear and anxiety.
Jesus sends His followers into the world with new purpose and the Holy Spirit.
Living with resurrection hope is not just for Easter—it’s for daily life.
READ: John 20:19–29
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”
28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
COMMENT:
After the resurrection, Jesus does not scold or rebuke His fearful and scattered disciples. He enters the locked room with a word of peace—“Peace be with you.” The risen Christ meets them where they are: full of fear, confusion, and doubt.
To Thomas, Jesus offers personal assurance. He meets Thomas’s skepticism with patience, inviting him to touch the very wounds of victory. Jesus knows our doubts and struggles, yet He draws near with love and presence.
The resurrection was not just the end of Jesus’ suffering—it was the beginning of a new way of life for His followers. In this passage, we see Him do three things:
Offer peace
Give the Holy Spirit
Send them with purpose
That same resurrection power and purpose belongs to every believer today. We are not just waiting for heaven—we are called to live now with the courage, peace, and hope that the resurrection brings.
Key Verse: “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” – John 20:21
HOW DOES THIS HELP ME BE LIKE JESUS:
When you embrace the resurrection life, you’re not merely hoping for heaven—you’re living in the power of a risen Savior today. Choosing hope over despair, extending peace instead of fear, and moving forward in bold obedience all reflect Jesus’ post-resurrection posture. Each time you face a “closed door” with trust that Christ makes a way, you mirror His victory over death and invite others into the new life He offers.
THIS MAY SURPRISE YOU:
You might expect Jesus’ resurrection to be an isolated miracle, but John 20:22 reveals something astonishing: “He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” The very breath that filled a lifeless tomb now ignites our hearts with God’s presence. Resurrection isn’t just a one-time event; it’s an ongoing infusion of Spirit-empowered life. We don’t wait for Pentecost to experience His power—you can breathe in resurrection hope this morning, invite His Spirit to overturn fear, and walk in newness of life right now.
TO THE POINT:
Jesus didn’t rise and retreat—He appeared, commissioned His friends, and sent them out. We follow His lead by:
Proclaiming peace: Greet conflict with words or gestures of reconciliation.
Forgiving freely: Offer the same pardon you’ve received, even when it costs you pride.
Sharing your story: Testify to how Christ’s resurrection changed your life.
Stepping into mission: Volunteer for gospel work—whether it’s leading a small group, serving overseas, or simply inviting a neighbor to coffee.
Living fearlessly: Do one thing this week that scares you spiritually—share your faith, pray in public, or stand up for justice—trusting the risen Lord goes before you.
By these actions, you don’t just remember the resurrection—you embody its power, carrying Christ’s life into every corner of your world.
Discussion Questions:
Why do you think Jesus says “Peace be with you” three times in this passage?
What does this story reveal about how Jesus responds to doubt?
How does the resurrection give you peace in your current season of life?
Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” How might we live that out today—no matter our age or health?
What does it mean for you, personally, to live in the power of the resurrection each day?
DEVOTIONAL ALLEGORY: The Room with the Locked Doors
Imagine a room locked tight—doors closed, windows shuttered. Inside, fear sits heavy like a shadow, muffling hope and silencing joy.
This was the disciples’ world after the crucifixion. They had lost their Teacher, their Friend, their Hope. Grief and doubt crowded the air, locking them inside.
Then,
suddenly, Jesus stood among them.
Not outside the door.
Not
in a dream.
Right there—in the room.
“Peace be with you.”
The locked doors couldn’t hold Him out. The fear couldn’t keep Him away.
Jesus came to bring new life—resurrection life.
He didn’t just rise from the grave; He entered their brokenness, their doubts, their scars.
To Thomas, who doubted, He offered wounded hands to touch and a heart to trust.
The resurrection isn’t just a past event.
It’s a present power.
A power that breaks into our locked rooms of fear, shame, and uncertainty.
A power that invites us to live—really live—with courage, peace, and hope.
What doors
are you keeping locked today?
What fears have you hidden behind?
Jesus stands ready to enter.
Not to
condemn.
But to say, “Peace. I am here. Live.”
May we
step out of the shadows,
carrying resurrection life into the
world—
bold, fearless, alive.
GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT:
Sit with this question:
- What would it mean to welcome the peace of the risen Christ into my heart today?
- Then read this promise from Jesus once more:
- “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (v.29)
Reflect:
- Have you been struggling with doubt, fear, or discouragement?
- What would it look like to allow Jesus’ words—“Peace be with you”—to settle into your spirit today?
Write a prayer of faith, even if it's simple: “Lord Jesus, I believe. Even in my doubts, I trust You. Let Your peace rule in my heart. Help me to live each day in the joy and strength of Your resurrection. Send me, use me, and walk with me. Amen.”
Closing Reflection: Walking with the Servant King
We have
journeyed together through the heart of Jesus—
a King who
stooped to wash feet,
a Savior who touched the untouchable,
a
Son who surrendered to the Father’s will,
a Friend who
welcomed the outcast,
a Voice that spoke truth with grace,
a
Heart that prayed in quiet communion,
a Love that dared to
forgive enemies,
a Sacrifice that carried the cross,
and a
Life that conquered death itself.
This is
the Jesus who calls us—
not to greatness by the world’s
measure,
but to greatness in the Kingdom’s way:
to serve,
to love, to obey, to forgive,
to pray, to sacrifice, and to live
risen.
Each
story, each moment of His life we’ve seen, is an invitation.
An
invitation to step off the path of ease, pride, and fear,
and
follow Him on the narrow way—
the way of humility, compassion,
obedience, and radical love.
As we
close this season, take a moment to reflect:
Where has Jesus met
you in this journey?
What has challenged you? What has comforted
you?
What cross are you ready to carry?
What love are you
ready to give?
Remember—this
is not the end.
It’s only the beginning.
Because
following Jesus is not a checklist; it’s a lifelong dance.
A
daily choice to lay down our own desires
and pick up His mission
of grace.
May the
Servant King you’ve come to know and love,
continue to lead
you with gentle hands and a courageous heart.
May His
resurrection power rise in you every morning,
and may you walk
boldly into the world—
not for your glory, but for His.
Bible Study Series: To Be Like Jesus
A 9-Session Journey into the Life and Character of Christ
Throughout the centuries, the phrase “What Would Jesus Do?” has challenged believers to live with intentionality, compassion, and integrity. Yet beyond the slogan lies a deeper invitation—a call not simply to admire Jesus from a distance, but to walk as He walked, love as He loved, and live as He lived.
This Bible study series, To Be Like Jesus, is designed to guide individuals and groups on a thoughtful, Scripture-centered journey into the heart of Christ. Over the course of nine sessions, participants will explore key moments in Jesus’ life that reveal His character: His humility, compassion, obedience, truth-telling, prayerfulness, forgiveness, sacrifice, and resurrection power.
Each session reflects on a specific aspect of Jesus’ life and ministry—not only to learn about Him, but to learn from Him. These studies are not theoretical lessons, but practical invitations to apply faith in everyday life, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
The goal is simple yet profound: to pattern life more closely after the example of Christ. To go beyond familiar stories and step into deeper discipleship. To move the question “What would Jesus do?” from a phrase into a practice.
Come ready to listen, reflect, and respond. May each session lead not only to knowledge, but to transformation.