GIVING JESUS OUR BEST

MEETING AGENDA

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
  2. GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
  3. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
  4. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
  5. GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
  6. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.
GROWTH QUESTION #1Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?
GROWTH QUESTION #2What did you learn from this week’s sermon?
GROWTH QUESTION #3What was your most important accomplishment this week?

GIVING JESUS OUR BEST

TODAY’S PASSAGE: 

John 12:1-11 (NLT) – 1 Six days before the Passover celebration began, Jesus arrived in Bethany, the home of Lazarus—the man he had raised from the dead. 2 A dinner was prepared in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, and Lazarus was among those who ate with him. 3 Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance. 4 But Judas Iscariot, the disciple who would soon betray him, said, 5 “That perfume was worth a year’s wages. It should have been sold and the money given to the poor.” 6 Not that he cared for the poor—he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples’ money, he often stole some for himself. 7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.” 9 When all the people heard of Jesus’ arrival, they flocked to see him and also to see Lazarus, the man Jesus had raised from the dead. 10 Then the leading priests decided to kill Lazarus, too, 11 for it was because of him that many of the people had deserted them and believed in Jesus.

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSWhat does Mary’s act of anointing Jesus teach us about worship?
TRUTH #1REAL WORSHIP COSTS SOMETHING.

John 12:3 (NLT) – Then Mary took a twelve-ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, and she anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping his feet with her hair…

  • Mary used her very expensive perfume to show how much she loved Jesus. She didn’t hold anything back because she knew Jesus deserved her best.
  • True worship often involves personal sacrifice to honor God.
  • Mary’s act reminds us to offer Jesus the best of what we have, not leftovers.
  • Real worship is about loving Jesus with everything, even when it costs us.
INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSCan you share a time when you gave something important to God? How did it make you feel? What did it do for your relationship with Him?
TRUTH #2REAL WORSHIP CHANGES THE WORLD AROUND US.

John 12:3 (NLT) – … The house was filled with the fragrance.

  • When Mary poured out her perfume, the whole house was filled with the fragrance. It must have smelled wonderful.
  • Definition: Fragrance (ὀσμή, osmē) – a sweet smell, often showing the goodness of true worship.
  • True worship makes an impact on those around us.
  • When we worship sincerely, it can bless others and show them how great Jesus is.
  • Worship has the power to bring joy and inspire faith in others.
INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSHas someone else’s worship ever helped you to love Jesus more? How?
TRUTH #3REAL WORSHIP SHOWS HOW SPECIAL JESUS IS.
  • Mary’s worship began with understanding of just how amazing Jesus truly was. She gave her best because she knew Jesus was the Savior and deserved everything she could give.
  • Real worship begins with understanding Jesus’ incredible value and worth.
  • Mary’s act shows that real worship is a response to Jesus’ love and sacrifice.
  • When we reflect on Jesus’ greatness, worship flows naturally.
  • Worship allows us to express gratitude and honor to Jesus for who He is, and shows who He really is to the world around us.
INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSWhat’s one way you can show Jesus how special He is to you this week?
CLOSING QUESTIONWhat is one thing you have learned from today’s lesson?

GIVING

Those who give to the poor will be repaid by God Himself.

Proverbs 19:17 (NLT)
f you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord — and he will repay you!
Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.

PRAY

QUESTION #1Who are you praying for to be saved?
QUESTION #2Who can you invite to the next meeting?
QUESTION #3What are your prayer requests?