Bethesda Chapel, 2000
SG Bible Study #8

What is the most intense farewell experience you have ever had – either a time when you left family or friends behind, or when someone dear to you went away?

1. What does Jesus mean when he tells his disciples he will be with them only a little longer and they will not be able to follow him?
   
   
2. Jesus mentions that he has told some of the Jewish teachers and leaders the same thing (see 7:33-34 and 8:21). What is the difference between Jesus leaving the one group and his leaving the other?
   
   
3. What command does Jesus give his disciples? Why is it ‘new’?
   
   
4. Why do you think Jesus stresses love as the chief identifying mark of his disciples?
   
   
5. How would you describe Peter’s feelings or attitude when Jesus speaks of his departure?
   
   
6. Jesus says to Peter, ‘You cannot follow now, but you will follow later.’ Exactly what kind of ‘following’ does Jesus have in mind? Could Jesus’ words have a double sense in this context?
   
   
7. Peter says he will lay down his life for Jesus. This is almost the exact reverse of Jesus’ words in John 10:11. Do you think that Peter still does not fully understand his relationship to Jesus?
   
   
8. Why do you think the hearts of Jesus’ followers might be troubled?
   
   
9. Which do you think would have meant the most to Peter and the other disciples, the promise of a room in heaven or the promise that they would be with Jesus once again?
   

Reflect a moment on the fact that Jesus is still away from his followers and that we still wait for the day that he will come back. Try to identify one effect that Jesus’ absence has upon your life – perhaps something you have never even thought about before – and think about how Jesus’ promise in this passage encourages you. Share with the group.