Discussion Guide:

God’s Great Love Despite Human Failure

I. God's Great Love for His Own

• What does it mean that Jesus "loved His own who were in the world" (John 13:1)?

• How does Ephesians 3:17–19 describe the dimensions of Christ's love?

• Why is it important that Jesus calls us "His own"?

• How does Psalm 8:4 show the humility of God's love for mankind?

• What comfort does Psalm 103:8–12 give regarding God’s mercy and love?

• What role does God’s covenant play in His love according to Deuteronomy 7:7–8?

• How is God’s love expressed through joy in Zephaniah 3:17?

• What assurance does Isaiah 54:10 offer about the permanence of God’s love?

• How is God's love proactive according to Romans 5:8 and 1 John 4:9–10?

• How does God's mercy in Lamentations 3:22–23 shape our view of daily grace?

II. Jesus’ Love Despite Human Failure

• Why is it significant that Jesus loved the disciples even though He knew they would fail Him?

• How does Jesus’ knowledge of Peter’s denial and Thomas’s doubt enhance our understanding of grace?

• What does Jesus' love say about our failures and His faithfulness?

• What truth can we draw from John 13:1 about Jesus loving "to the end"?

• In what way is life choice-driven despite God’s desire that none should perish?

III. Jesus and “This World”

• What is the difference between "the world" God created and "this world" Jesus departed from?

• How do John 9:39 and John 12:31 portray Jesus' judgment against this world?

• Why does Jesus not love this world, though He loves the world (John 3:16)?

• What does Romans 12:2 teach us about how believers should relate to this world?

• How does the ruler of this world being cast out reflect spiritual victory?

IV. Jesus as Light to the World

• According to John 8:12, what does it mean that Jesus is the light of the world?

• Why do people prefer darkness over light according to John 3:19–21?

• How do John 1–12 show Jesus providing light to a sin-sick world?

V. Jesus as Servant: Foot Washing

• What is the significance of the seven actions Jesus takes in John 13:4–5?

• What is the connection between Mary anointing Jesus’ feet in John 12 and Jesus washing the disciples' feet in John 13?

Answers

I. God's Great Love for His Own

• It means Jesus has a covenantal, intimate love for His chosen people—those who believe in Him and follow Him.

• It shows Christ’s love is immeasurable—wide, long, high, and deep—and intended to be experienced, not just understood.

• It reflects ownership, intimacy, and eternal security. We belong to Him as treasured possession.

• It highlights the wonder of God’s love toward small, finite creatures like us.

• It teaches that God is slow to anger and rich in mercy, forgiving fully and removing our sins completely.

• God’s love is rooted in His covenant promises, not our performance. He chose Israel because of His love and oath.

• God's love is joyful and celebratory—He rejoices over His people with singing.

• God’s love is enduring and unshakable, even when everything else falls apart.

• God loved us while we were still sinners. He initiated our salvation by giving His Son.

• God’s mercies are renewed daily; His faithfulness is constant even when we falter.

II. Jesus’ Love Despite Human Failure

• It proves the unwavering nature of divine love. He loves based on who He is, not on who we are.

• It shows that Jesus knew their weaknesses and still welcomed them into His mission.

• Our failures do not disqualify us from His love. His faithfulness remains.

• Jesus’ love continued through suffering, betrayal, and even death. It is love without limits.

• God’s love is available to all, but individuals must choose to receive it. Rejection brings consequence despite His desire to save.

III. Jesus and “This World”

• “The world” is God's good creation; “this world” refers to the fallen, man-centered system that rejects Him.

• Jesus came to expose sin and bring spiritual vision. He also came to cast out Satan and judge the corrupt world system.

• God loves the people of the world, but He rejects the sinful structure and rebellion of “this world.”

• Believers must not be conformed to the value system of this world but be transformed by the renewing of their minds.

• It means Christ has authority and has defeated the enemy through the cross.

IV. Jesus as Light to the World

• Jesus reveals truth and guides people out of spiritual darkness. He is the source of eternal life.

• People avoid the light because it exposes their sin. They love their sin more than truth.

• Jesus continually calls people out of darkness with healing, truth, and salvation through His ministry.

V. Jesus as Servant: Foot Washing

• The seven actions symbolize divine completeness and humble service. Jesus models the heart of God.

• Mary’s act of devotion foreshadows Jesus’ servant act. Both show humility and self-giving love, and both point to the cross.