Week beginning Sunday 18th May
Lectionary Reading: 13:31–35

SESSION THEME:

Now the Son of Man Has Been Glorified

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The Gathering

Come together in a circle or around a table. Light a candle or share a simple symbol of love (e.g., a bowl of water, a loaf of bread, or a photograph of a shared moment of compassion). If possible, begin with a shared drink or meal.

Read John 13:31–35 aloud, slowly and attentively. You may wish to read it twice, from different translations.

Opening Story (optional reflection):

Share a story of an ordinary moment of glory—someone showing love at cost, staying when it would have been easier to leave, offering dignity where it’s often denied. Use the example of the elderly woman crossing the room to connect with the isolated young man as a way of grounding “glory” in real-life experience.

First Reactions

Invite open sharing using these wonder questions:

• I wonder, what word, phrase, or image stands out to you?
• I wonder, what puzzles or disturbs you in this passage?
• I wonder, where do you see love in this reading?
• I wonder, what does glory mean here? Does that surprise you?

Remind the group: there are no experts. Every insight is welcome.

Exploring and Discovering

• What does Jesus mean when he says “now” is the moment of glorification—especially knowing Judas has just left to betray him?
• How does this reframe what we normally think of as “glory”? Can we share other examples of glory found in vulnerability or costly love?
• What does the “new commandment” mean in this context? How is “as I have loved you” different from simply “love your neighbour”?
• What might Sam Wells mean when he says that God’s glory is “being with” us, rather than fixing us?

Encourage group members to share background or context they may know and name what they would like to research further.

Personal Impact

Reflect quietly or share aloud:

• Is there something in this reading that might guide how we live differently this week?
• What kind of love is being asked of us—and where might that be hard or costly?
• Where do we feel challenged to show love like Jesus did?
• Is there a prayer welling up in us from this passage—perhaps for courage, tenderness, endurance, or presence?

You might choose to write prayers on sticky notes or speak them aloud into the space.

Shaping Community, Worship and Action

• What strap-line or title would we give this passage? (e.g. “Glory in the Ordinary”, “Love Like This”, “God With Us, Still”)
• What music would express this passage? (Suggestions: “The Servant King”, “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”, “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers, “Ordinary Love” by U2)
• What images come to mind from the world today? (Consider photos of caregiving, foot washing, mutual aid groups, hospital chaplains, or silent vigils.)
• How might this shape our worship? (Symbolic actions like washing one another’s hands or feet, lighting candles for unseen acts of love.)
• What might be our community response?
  Examples:
  
  
  • Visit someone lonely or offer practical love.
  • Create a “glory board” in your church to witness small acts of love.
  • Start a conversation about what inclusive, costly love looks like in your local setting—across generational, cultural, or social divides.

Closing Prayer

Together we say:

God of our community ,
We listen expectantly to the word of God, knowing that it can be transformational in our lives.
Thanks for the ways our lives are re-formed by the encounter—our story, the story of others, and God’s story.
We pray for the transforming of our society as  we live out the Gospel values

Amen. So be it!