SERIES SUMMARY
At Fellowship Greenville, we desire to reintroduce people to Jesus and the life that He offers. We realize that each of us growing as disciples of Jesus is imperative to us being about God’s mission of redemption in our circle of influence. Therefore, as we continue to grow with more and more people joining us, we want to take several Sundays this summer and articulate our discipleship values, while also inviting everyone to the discipleship pathway available to them here at Fellowship Greenville.
PASSAGE GUIDE | Community: Our lives shaped by the people of God.
In John 13:31–14:31, as Jesus begins His farewell discourse, He gives His disciples a defining command for their life together: “Love one another as I have loved you.” This new command does more than promote kindness—it forms the very structure of Christian community. At the moment when Jesus prepares His followers for His physical departure, He roots their identity and mission in a shared, sacrificial love modeled after His own. Community, in this context, is not optional; it is a central part of following Jesus. Participation in such a community shapes believers into a visible sign of God’s presence and love in the world.
Jesus’ command is new not in content—since the command to love existed in the Old Testament—but in its standard: “As I have loved you.” His love defines the shape, depth, and scope of what Christian love should be. It is a love marked by humility, service, and sacrifice—most clearly displayed in the cross. This kind of love redefines relationships. It transforms a group of individuals into a new kind of people whose life together reflects the very heart of God. Christian community is not simply about shared beliefs or practices; it is about intentionally living in close proximity to one another in a way that displays Jesus’ love to a watching world.
This kind of community, built on Jesus’ love, carries a missional purpose. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” The world is meant to see and recognize something divine in the way believers love one another. Community becomes a kind of witness, a living proclamation of the gospel. In this way, the church doesn't merely preach good news—it embodies it. Mutual love is not just internal glue; it is external testimony. Our relational health reflects the truth we proclaim about God’s love, grace, and reconciliation.
Jesus’ new command assumes that disciples will live in close, intentional proximity with one another. Love can’t be practiced from a distance. The kind of sacrificial love Jesus calls for requires presence, patience, vulnerability, and ongoing commitment. It's in this relational closeness that the community of faith is refined and matured.
Ultimately, this section of the Gospel of John shows that Christian community matters because it is both formed by and formed for the love of Jesus. It matters because it is how the person of Christ is made visible in the world. It matters because it is God’s design for mission—people bound together in love, living not for themselves but for the glory of the One who gave everything for them. Jesus’ love defines us, transforms us, and sends us into the world as a community of light, hope, and redemption.
*We are a church located in Greenville, South Carolina. Our vision is to see God transform us into a community of grace, passionately pursuing life and mission with Jesus.
SUGGESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION
Remember, these are “suggested” questions. You do not have to go through every single one of them. You do not need to listen to both sermons at both campuses to participate in the discussion.
OPENING PRAYER
Begin by asking God to unite His Church in genuine love that welcomes, forgives, and serves. Pray that Jesus’ command, “Love one another as I have loved you”, defines who you are.
READ THE TEXT: Take some time to read John 13:31-34.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- How is loving one another as God has loved us different from simply being kind or respectful?
- Why do you think Jesus chose to give this “new command” at the moment of His departure? What does this reveal about the importance of community?
- What are some ways your faith community currently reflects the love of Jesus to one another and to outsiders? Where does it need to be challenged?
- Jesus says that love is the identifying mark of His disciples. What would someone unfamiliar with your community learn about Jesus by observing your relationships?
- In what ways have you experienced the sacrificial love of Christ through other believers? How did it impact your view of God and His people?
- What does it look like for a church to be “missional” in its relationships, not just its events or programs?
- Where are you tempted to live the Christian life in isolation? How is Jesus inviting you into a deeper connection with others?
- How can your community embody both the truth of the gospel and the love of Christ in such a way that people are drawn toward Jesus?
- How do we respond when loving someone in our community feels inconvenient, uncomfortable, or one-sided? How should we respond?
- In what ways might past wounds hinder us from loving others as Christ commands? How can we overcome those barriers?
PRACTICE OPTIONS
Life in Community: Make love the defining mark of your life with Jesus in community. Go out of your way to love someone this week through a check-in, a prayer, or a meal.
Life with Jesus: Take time to surrender your pride, hurt, and/or past experiences of community to the Lord, trusting that He is gently and lovingly at work within the walls of your heart, breaking them down with His healing presence.
Life on Mission: Allow the love God has for you to be on full display in your interactions with others. Go the extra mile to serve your neighbor, meet someone’s need, or invest your time by lending a listening ear. It’s His love within us that is our witness!
CLOSING PRAYER
As you think about this week, ask the Spirit to show you how to lean into Christ-centered, intentional community through radical love that only comes from Him. Ask for specific opportunities to love others as Jesus loves you.