Is experiencing God's love enough??

I follow quite a few blogs, and one of them I follow is a woman named Kelly Hampton who, in my opinion, is a very thoughtful and inspirational person. She enjoys life. She slows down. She takes time to enjoy the small things. I'm inspired.

I've occasionally wondered throughout my time of "following" her what she believes. In some of her posts, I would see glimpses of a strong Christian Faith come through. In other posts, I would question my assumptions. I was just never sure. 

Until her most recent post. 

I was intrigued. Not only because she has a beautiful heart and way of thinking about faith, God, and Love, but also because I know it is exactly how so many people of her age/era (young mother, young adult, etc.) would completely agree with what she is saying and hoping for in her life and faith. 

I was also intrigued because as a person working for such an "organized religious institution" (aka the church), this is the exact group of people that are either missing, or coming to bring their kids to Sunday School just out of guilt that they feel it's the right thing to do (or that's how they were brought up, or there are expectations from the grandparents, etc.)

I invite you to read her post here...and then do your own reflecting on this. What do you think? Is she right? Is she wrong? Where do you stand? Is it important that the church continue to work towards "reaching" this young adult era that we so lack in the church? What's the point?  (and please...share thoughts with me in the comments!!)

John 13:1-17: Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet

An Online Bible Study

1 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." 9 Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean." 12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

1. Before you Begin:

• Open up a Word Document on your computer and Save the document as "Personal Reflection Journal". You can use this throughout the study to reflect on questions and personal matters that you may not want to share with the community.
• Feel free to share anything that is on your heart while completing this bible study. By posting in the comments below, we hope to engage in meaningful and powerful conversation as to how God is speaking to you (and what He wants you to learn) through this bible study)

2. Dig into the Text

• Read again the above passage of John 13:1-17
• As you read through the text again, note the examples of Jesus foreknowledge of future events. How many examples of Jesus foreknowledge of future events can you find? (I found 4...can you find at least those?)
• John tells us of Peter’s response. What did Peter tell Jesus?
• Do you think Peter was being disrespectful? Why or why not? (see verse 9)

3. Just Some Cultural things...

• It was customary for guests arriving at a person’s home to have his/her feet washed. This was a menial task and was often done by a servant.
• This particular foot washing, however, did not take place upon arrival rather it occurred during the evening meal (John 13:2). Jesus got up from the meal and removed His outer garment. He then wrapped a towel around His waist.

“By putting on an apron, Christ looked like the slave to whom the task of washing the feet of guests was assigned. Though the disciples realized what Jesus was doing, none of them offered himself for the task. Servanthood was not on their minds. Jesus loved them knowing all about them, including the worst of them, Judas. All of them knew what needed to be done. All of them could have done it but none of them did.”ⁱ

(See Luke 22:24 for a glimpse as to why they may not have been thinking about servanthood.”)

• What lesson did the washing of feet teach the Apostles and why was it the appropriate time to teach this lesson?

4. Reflections/Thoughts

(do you agree? Disagree? What comes to mind? Journal and/or share your thoughts)

A Fun video that puts the passage into perspective: Who is Jesus? Who are We?
The following reflections are taken from an online document (Author unknown) that can be found here.

• Jesus was a servant in spite of His circumstances. If anyone had a reason not be around people or to run away, it was Jesus. He was about to endure torture and humiliation to redeem us for the Father. I'm blown away by the fact that God chose to create us knowing that we would sin and that even after providing a way of redemption for us that we would reject His Son Jesus had a long road ahead of Him, yet He still gave of Himself to His disciples and showed them how He wanted them to serve others. I think the key here is Jesus knew it was in God's hands.
• How many times do we miss an opportunity to serve others because it is inconvenient or doesn't fit into our schedule? How often am I so wrapped up in my circumstances that I miss opportunities to serve?
• Secondly, Jesus had to get wet. The scriptures tell us that Jesus got up from His supper and took off His garments. I'm guessing that means he took off his outer clothes and was basically informal. He was going to have to be able to get on the floor and get to the disciples feet so he could wash and dry them. I don't know if any of you have ever participated in a "feet washing" service, but if you have, you know there's a good possibility you're going to get wet. Same thing happens when we serve others. We get involved in their lives. Our hands get "dirty". There will always be some cost to us when we "take up the basin and the towel."
• Last but not least - Jesus took His time with each disciple while washing their feet. Not only did Jesus wash their feet, He took the time to wipe them dry. He could have had them all line up in a row and pour water over their feet as they stood there, and then tossed them a towel with a "here ya go, fellas!" But no..... He went to each person individually and washed and dried their feet.
• What does this mean for us? Serving others takes time and our attention. Jesus could have hurried through washing their feet. After all, He was about to die on the cross. But He personally ministered to each disciple - including Judas. Now that's something to think about - Jesus was a servant to the very man who would betray Him. 
• Notice an important principle here: Jesus KNEW (vs. 1, 3) so Jesus DID (vs. 2, 4-5). Jesus did what He did because He knew what He knew. Our actions are the result of our deepest thoughts. What do your actions say about your thoughts?

Reflect on the song, The Basin and the Towell by Michael Card and let God speak to you.
What images or ideas come to mind as you listen to this song?
Write down your thoughts in your Personal Reflection Guide.
Click the below link for a Youtube video. This song can also be found on itunes.

The Basin and the Towell by Michael Card

6. Faith and Family

• Have you ever been a part of a foot washing? Why not follow the example set before us by Christ and participate in one with your family? Wash the feet of one another in your family. As you wash one another’s feet, remember to pray for that person. Upon the conclusion of the foot washing, a parent should lead the family in a prayer of thanksgiving and blessing for his/her family.
• Find a community service project to participate in as a family. Make this a monthly, semi-annual, or annual event and it will become a great tradition for your family to live out your faith and calling to serve others. 
• Read the bible story of Jesus washing his Disciple's feet from a children's bible or The Message Bible. Print out the coloring page, and have children color while they listen to the story, and point to the characters as they are mentioned. Click the following link to download and print a coloring page for kids: Jesus Washing Feet Coloring Page