Wellness is not just about you… it’s about US!  This week in our BE WELL series, we’ll look at an unusual story in the life of Jesus, when he washed his disciple’s feet, and we’ll see how this humble and intimate act illustrates God’s vision for relational wellness.

Groups Discussion Guide

To view the Leader Guide for this week, click here.

To view a .docx version of this guide, click here

Introduction

Last week, we talked about how we can invite Jesus to help us pursue financial wellness. Relying on Jesus’ guidance in how we use our finances leads us to be generous and wise in how we spend money. Jesus calls us to use our resources for others more than for ourselves.   

Take a few minutes to ask how everyone is doing and what steps they take to follow Jesus’ teachings of using our finances for others. 

After you have connected, begin your meeting with prayer.  

Key Verse for the Week

*Read this verse, then encourage the practice of memorization throughout the week. 

1 Peter 1:22 

“You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” 

**When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us. 

Connect

• What relationships around you are the most important? How are you doing in these relationships?  
• What role models did you, or do you, have in your life for what a relationship should look like? Why are these relationships so meaningful? 
• How are your relationships similar or different? 
• What mindsets and actions do you think are necessary to foster growth in relationships? 

Opening Thought  

Relationships are discussed a lot in our culture, but unfortunately, our culture can also set us up for fake relational connections. Often, we’re encouraged to look at ourselves and what we think we need as the determining factor for how to build relationships. Jesus, however, gave us a different example of how to live. Instead of thinking of ourselves and our needs in relationships, he calls us to think of others more and serve them sacrificially to build lasting relationships.  

This leads us to our big idea for this week:  

Big idea for the week
 By following Jesus’ example, we can have great relationships.   

Unpack 

Go around your group and have someone read each of the following verses, then discuss the connected questions. 

Read  

John 15:12-13 
Philippians 2:1-4 
Ephesians 4:1-4 

• What is the importance of humility and gentleness? Why does this matter in a relationship?  
• How should this lead you to interact within your relationships? 
• How often do you honestly do your best to “make allowance for each other’s faults”? What hinders you from this?  
• What does it look like to “lay down your life for your friends” on a regular basis?  

Read  

1 John 4:9-12 
Romans 12:10 
1 Peter 4:8-9  
Hebrews 10:24 

Unpack 

• How can following Jesus help us understand and experience that we’re a part of the family of God? 
• How can viewing your close community as part of the same family help you be vulnerable and authentic in your relationships?  
• What does it look like to invest in a relationship in a way that doesn’t directly help you? 
• What does it look like to sacrifice yourself for others in your relationships? 
• How can you sacrifice for others without it becoming detrimental to yourself?  
• How do you balance sacrificing for others while setting healthy boundaries so that your sacrifice comes from a place of health for yourself and others? Who can speak into your life when your level of sacrifice is damaging to yourself or others?  

Apply 

Based on the verses we just read, there are some things that we can do in response. Take a moment to discuss these questions as a group to decide what your personal action steps for the week can be: 

• How will you choose to serve others in your relationships this week humbly? 
• How will you allow yourself to be vulnerable and authentic in at least one relationship this week? How will you do this in your relationship with God? 
• How can we as a group keep each other accountable for consistently following Jesus’ example of humility and service in our relationships?  

Closing 

Read the first section with your group, then move to the Prayer and Verses section: 

Building great relationships can be challenging. By following Jesus, however, we have the best guideline for how to not only grow in those relationships but to grow in our relationship with Jesus. We do this through following Jesus’ example of humility, thinking of others more than ourselves, serving others with our resources/time, and being willing to be vulnerable and open with those around us. We can do this together and call each other to as well, with God’s help! 

Prayer and Verses 

Ask for prayer requests and conclude your time with prayer then share the Key Verse for the Week and Daily Devotional Verses with the group. 

Daily Devotional Verses  

Use the S.O.A.P. method to reflect on the verses below. 

Scripture: Read the verses several times. Reading out loud can be helpful as well. 
Observation: What can you see about the scripture you read? 
Application: What is God wanting you to believe, do, or feel, based on what you have read? 
Prayer: This is a chance to talk to God about what you have read and ask him for help in living out what you’ve learned. 

Day 1: Galatians 6:10 

Day 2: Hebrews 13:15-16 

Day 3: Romans 14:19 

Day 4: 1 John 3:18 

Day 5: Ephesians 4:16 

Day 6: 1 Thessalonians 3:12 

Key Verse for the Week:  

1 Peter 1:22 

“You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.”