Sunday, October 25, 2026
Pastor Sebastiano Rosa
Following Jesus
Choosing to Love
John 13:31-38
In John 13, Jesus has just washed His disciples' feet, demonstrating humility and sacrificial service. Judas has left to betray Him, and Jesus knows that suffering and death are approaching. In the middle of this uncertainty, He gives His disciples a new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Jesus gives this command to a group of men who have different backgrounds, personalities, expectations, and opinions. Their unity isn't based on always agreeing, but on their shared relationship with Jesus and His example of sacrificial love. Jesus tells them that the way they love one another will become the identifying mark of His disciples.
This message carries particular weight as Clinton Frame navigates a difficult pastoral transition. Loving like Jesus doesn't mean ignoring pain, avoiding hard conversations, or pretending to agree. It means choosing to treat one another with grace, humility, honesty, and care even when relationships are complicated. Our love for one another is both evidence of our discipleship and a witness to the world around us.
Group Discussion Questions:
1. UNDERSTAND LOVE: Jesus had already taught His followers to love their neighbors as themselves. What changes when He commands them to love one another as He has loved them?
2. ACKNOWLEDGE THE CHALLENGE: Jesus gave this command to disciples who had different personalities, perspectives, and expectations. Why is loving one another sometimes most difficult when we disagree, feel disappointed, or don't understand someone else's decisions?
3. EXAMINE OUR RESPONSE: When we're hurt, confused, or concerned about something, how can we respond in a way that is both honest and loving?
4. PRACTICE CHRISTLIKE LOVE: Jesus says that others will recognize His disciples by their love for one another. What might people learn about Jesus by watching how Christians respond to one another during difficult circumstances?
5. TAKE A STEP: As you consider Jesus' command to love one another, where might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to change an attitude, have a conversation, extend grace, or take a practical step toward someone else?
Pastor Sebastiano Rosa
Following Jesus
Choosing to Love
John 13:31-38
In John 13, Jesus has just washed His disciples' feet, demonstrating humility and sacrificial service. Judas has left to betray Him, and Jesus knows that suffering and death are approaching. In the middle of this uncertainty, He gives His disciples a new command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Jesus gives this command to a group of men who have different backgrounds, personalities, expectations, and opinions. Their unity isn't based on always agreeing, but on their shared relationship with Jesus and His example of sacrificial love. Jesus tells them that the way they love one another will become the identifying mark of His disciples.
This message carries particular weight as Clinton Frame navigates a difficult pastoral transition. Loving like Jesus doesn't mean ignoring pain, avoiding hard conversations, or pretending to agree. It means choosing to treat one another with grace, humility, honesty, and care even when relationships are complicated. Our love for one another is both evidence of our discipleship and a witness to the world around us.
Group Discussion Questions:
1. UNDERSTAND LOVE: Jesus had already taught His followers to love their neighbors as themselves. What changes when He commands them to love one another as He has loved them?
2. ACKNOWLEDGE THE CHALLENGE: Jesus gave this command to disciples who had different personalities, perspectives, and expectations. Why is loving one another sometimes most difficult when we disagree, feel disappointed, or don't understand someone else's decisions?
3. EXAMINE OUR RESPONSE: When we're hurt, confused, or concerned about something, how can we respond in a way that is both honest and loving?
4. PRACTICE CHRISTLIKE LOVE: Jesus says that others will recognize His disciples by their love for one another. What might people learn about Jesus by watching how Christians respond to one another during difficult circumstances?
5. TAKE A STEP: As you consider Jesus' command to love one another, where might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to change an attitude, have a conversation, extend grace, or take a practical step toward someone else?
