NT260 • Set 17
Discussion & Heart Check Questions
Small group discussion questions and accountability tools designed to help disciples grow in their love for God, connect with others, serve others, and share the gospel.
These questions were created to accompany the NT260 Discipleship Journal, but they can also be used by any small group, discipleship group, family, Sunday School class, one-on-one discipleship relationship, or individual studying John 13–17.
This Set’s Big Idea
Jesus lovingly prepares His disciples for His departure by calling them to humble service, steadfast faith, abiding in Him, loving one another, depending on the Holy Spirit, enduring opposition, and remaining united as His witnesses in the world.
As you read, watch how Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, gives a new commandment to love one another, promises the Holy Spirit, reveals Himself as the True Vine, prepares His followers for persecution, and prays that they would remain faithful, unified, and rooted in God’s truth as they continue His mission.
How to Use These Questions
These questions are a guide, not a script. You do not need to answer every question. The goal is to help your group engage Scripture, encourage one another, and take a clear next step of obedience.
Before meeting, encourage everyone to complete this week’s readings and record at least one observation and one application using PETS or another preferred Bible study method.
Suggested Small Group Meeting Flow
Use this as a flexible guide for a 1–1.5 hour weekly gathering. Adjust as needed for your group.
Connect, catch up, and celebrate how God worked during the week.
Pray and invite the Holy Spirit to teach through His Word.
Share PETS observations and applications from the week’s readings.
Work through selected discussion questions together.
Use Heart Check questions for honest accountability and encouragement.
Share prayer requests and close by praying for one another.
Leader Tips
- You do not need to answer every question.
- Select the questions that best fit your group.
- Keep the conversation centered on Jesus and practical obedience.
- Encourage everyone to participate, but never pressure anyone to speak.
- Make room for both interpretation and personal application.
- Handle conversations about fear, failure, conflict, persecution, doubt, or spiritual dryness with patience and grace.
- John 13–17 contains some of Jesus’ deepest teaching about the Holy Spirit, prayer, abiding, obedience, Christian unity, and the believer’s relationship with the world. Avoid allowing the discussion to become only theological or abstract. Continually ask how these truths should shape the way disciples live, love, serve, endure, and participate in Christ’s mission.
- Leave enough time for accountability, encouragement, and prayer.
This Set’s Readings
- John 13 — Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet, Commands Them to Love One Another, and Prepares Them for Betrayal and Failure
- John 14 — Jesus Comforts Troubled Hearts, Reveals Himself as the Way to the Father, and Promises the Holy Spirit
- John 15 — Jesus Calls His Disciples to Abide in Him, Bear Lasting Fruit, Love One Another, and Endure the World’s Opposition
- John 16 — Jesus Explains the Work of the Holy Spirit and Promises That Sorrow Will Be Turned into Joy
- John 17 — Jesus Prays for His Glory, His Disciples’ Protection and Sanctification, and the Unity and Mission of All Future Believers
Leader Note
John 13–17 records Jesus’ final extended conversation with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion. Knowing that His earthly ministry is drawing to a close, Jesus prepares His followers for the day when they will continue His mission without His physical presence. Rather than focusing on fear or uncertainty, He teaches them how disciples are to live after recognizing who He is.
Notice that Jesus continually moves from doctrine to discipleship. He teaches profound truths about the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, prayer, salvation, and eternal life, but every truth is meant to transform the way His followers live. They are to serve one another with humility, love sacrificially, remain connected to Christ, trust God’s promises, rely on the Holy Spirit, endure opposition faithfully, and live in unity for the sake of the gospel.
Resist allowing these chapters to become merely theological discussions about the Holy Spirit, prayer, election, or Christian unity. Those topics are important, but Jesus’ purpose is deeply practical. Every teaching prepares ordinary believers to faithfully represent Him in a hostile world after He returns to the Father.
Encourage your group to continually ask, “How does Jesus want His disciples to live?” before asking, “What information have I learned?” The goal of these chapters is not simply greater knowledge, but lives that increasingly resemble Jesus as we serve, love, abide, obey, and depend on Him every day.
Love God
- Which truth about Jesus strengthened your faith the most this week, and why?
- Jesus repeatedly calls His followers to abide in Him. What practices help you remain close to Christ, and what habits tend to pull your heart away from Him?
- Jesus promised the Holy Spirit would help, teach, and guide His followers. In what area of your life do you most need to depend on the Spirit instead of your own strength?
- Jesus connected love with obedience throughout these chapters. Is there a specific command of Christ you sense God calling you to obey more faithfully?
- If someone observed your relationship with Jesus over the past week, would they describe it as distant, routine, growing, or deeply abiding? Why?
Connect with Others
- Jesus washed His disciples’ feet as an example of humble service. What is one practical way you can put someone else’s needs ahead of your own this week?
- Jesus commanded His followers to love one another as He loved them. Is there a relationship where God may be calling you to extend greater grace, forgiveness, patience, or encouragement?
- Jesus prayed that His followers would be united. Are there attitudes such as pride, selfishness, unresolved conflict, or criticism that could be damaging unity in your relationships?
- How can our small group become a better reflection of the kind of Christ-centered community Jesus describes in these chapters?
Serve Others
- Jesus demonstrated that true leadership begins with serving others. Where has God given you an opportunity to quietly serve without seeking recognition?
- Bearing fruit includes serving others for God’s glory. What gifts, abilities, or resources has God entrusted to you that could bless someone this week?
- Think of someone who may be discouraged, lonely, or struggling spiritually. How could you intentionally encourage them in Christ over the next few days?
Share the Gospel
- Jesus said His followers are sent into the world just as the Father sent Him. What does that teach us about our purpose as Christians?
- Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would help His followers bear witness to Him. How does that promise give you confidence when sharing your faith?
- Is there someone in your life who needs to experience the love of Christ through both your actions and your words? What step could you take toward them this week?
- What opportunity might God be giving you to invite someone to church, your small group, or a spiritual conversation in the coming week?
Closing Challenge
Jesus lovingly prepares His disciples for His departure by calling them to humble service, steadfast faith, abiding in Him, loving one another, depending on the Holy Spirit, enduring opposition, and remaining united as His witnesses in the world.
In His final hours before the cross, Jesus did not leave His followers with fear or uncertainty. He showed them how to live. He washed their feet, comforted their troubled hearts, promised the Holy Spirit, called them to remain in Him, prepared them for hardship, and prayed that they would faithfully continue His mission long after He returned to the Father.
Where is Jesus inviting you to take your next step this week—from pride to humble service, independence to abiding in Christ, fear to trust, isolation to biblical community, self-reliance to dependence on the Holy Spirit, or simply from admiring Jesus to faithfully living as one of His disciples every day?
Scripture to Remember
John 15:5
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.” (NLT)
These words capture the heart of Jesus’ final teaching to His disciples. The Christian life is not lived through greater determination or self-effort, but through an ongoing relationship with Christ. Every act of love, service, endurance, obedience, and witness flows from remaining connected to Him.
This week: Read this verse each morning, write it once in your journal, repeat it throughout the day, and ask God to help you remain closely connected to Christ in every area of your life.
This Week’s Practice
Abide Before You Act
Before beginning your daily responsibilities, spend intentional time with Jesus. Read a portion of Scripture, pray, thank Him for His grace, and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, words, and decisions throughout the day.
Then choose one opportunity each day to intentionally live out what Jesus taught in these chapters. Serve someone quietly, encourage another believer, forgive someone who has wronged you, remain faithful during difficulty, or begin a spiritual conversation with someone who needs Christ.
Remember, fruit is not produced by striving harder but by remaining closer to Jesus. Let every act of obedience flow from your relationship with Him.
Prayer Focus
Abiding in Christ and Living as His Disciple
Pray together that God would help each member of your group remain close to Christ, depend on the Holy Spirit, and faithfully represent Jesus through humble service, sacrificial love, and joyful obedience.
- Thank God for Jesus’ perfect love, His example of humble service, and His faithful care for His disciples.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remain connected to Christ and bear fruit that glorifies God.
- Pray for strength to obey Jesus even when following Him is difficult or unpopular.
- Ask God to deepen the love and unity within your family, church, and small group so others will clearly see Christ through His people.
- Pray for opportunities and courage to serve others, share the gospel, and faithfully continue Christ’s mission wherever God has placed you.
Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Your Son to show us how to live and love. Thank You that Jesus did not leave us alone but gave us the Holy Spirit to guide, strengthen, and comfort us each day. Help us remain in Christ like branches connected to the vine. Teach us to serve with humility, love sacrificially, obey Your Word, remain faithful through trials, and live in the unity for which Jesus prayed. May our lives bear fruit that brings glory to You and points others to the hope found only in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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