The Upper Room is a 5-week series during our weekend services on intimacy with Jesus as seen and experienced in the Book of John, chapters 13-17. Here we are providing you with further time to spend with the Lord in His word through this devotional series. Enjoy!
The Upper Room, Devotions in John Week 1 (1:17)
Week 1
Day 1
Praise (What are you thankful for your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 13:1 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- How did you feel when someone expressed love/kindness to you beyond measure?
- What does sacrifice look like to you?
- How would you share your love for Jesus if you knew you were going to die soon?
- In what way(s) does this change or deepen your understanding of Jesus?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 1
Day 2
Praise (What are you thankful for in Day 1 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 13:2-8 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- Have you ever served someone whom you know has deeply hurt you in some way?
- What/who gave you the strength to do so? And how did you know?
- How did you handle it the last time you were enticed by the evil one towards sin? (Read James 1:13-15)
- Pause for a moment and reflect on the fact of God almighty washing men’s feet? What sort of emotions rise up in you?
- What does it really mean for God to love you?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 1
Day 3
Praise (What are you thankful for in Day 2 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 13:9-11 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- When have you caught yourself being prideful?
- Why do you suppose Scripture pays most attention to the sin of pride?
- Compare these 3 verses to your understanding of the cross/God’s sacrificial love?
- What does it mean to you to surrender in order to know Christ’s love?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Day 4
Praise (What are you thankful for in Day 3 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 13:12-17 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- Through your observations, how have you often thought someone was a follower of Jesus?
- Why do you suppose Jesu placed so emphasis on serving others as a mark of following Him?
- In what way(s) does pride run interference?
- Think about how Philippians 2:1-11 ties in with these verses in John?
- What does the statement, “The more we sacrificially love others, the more we discover Christ,” mean to you personally?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
The Upper Room, Devotions in John Week 2 (13:27-38 and Matthew 5:43-48)
Week 2
Day 5
Praise (What are you thankful for your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 13:27-38 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- Read James 1:13-15 and apply it to Judas out of verses 27-30.
- What does Jesus’ “new command’ mean to you personally?
- Provide examples of loving others as Jesus has loved you?
- What would your reaction and response be if Jesus were to reveal to you a sin you’re about to commit?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 2
Day 6
Praise (What are you thankful for from Day 5 with the Lord?)
Read the text: Matthew 5:43-48 on Forgiveness (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What is forgiveness?
- What do the following references tell you about forgiveness: Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:35; Luke 17:4.
- How do you come to an understanding of forgiveness from these verses?
- In what way(s) can you forgive others even if you cannot speak to that person for whatever reason?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
PDF ON MATTHEW 5:43-48 (FORGIVENESS)
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Week 2
Day 7
Praise (What are you thankful for from Day 6 with the Lord?)
Read the text: Matthew 5:43-48 The Goodness in Others (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- How do you think it’s possible for goodness to be in others? (Consider Roman 8:1-39)
- What do the following references tell you about goodness: Psalms 37:4; Galatians 5:22; Matthew 5:16.
- How do you come to an understanding of goodness from these verses?
- In what way(s) can you recognize the goodness in others even if they fail you?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
PDF ON MATTHEW 5:43-48 (GOODNESS IN OTHERS)
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Week 2
Day 8
Praise (What are you thankful for from Day 7 with the Lord?)
Read the text: Matthew 5:43-48 Winning the Friendship (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- How do you think it’s possible win over a difficult person?
- What do the following references tell you about winning friendships: Proverbs 15:1-7; Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:9-21.
- How do you come to an understanding of winning over a friendship from these verses?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
The Upper Room, Devotions in John Week 3 (14:1-14)
Week 3
Day 9
Praise (What are you thankful for from your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 14:1-6 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What other paths have you tried to head down hoping to find Jesus there, or some hope?
- In your own words, how do you respond to the following question: What if Jesus’ exclusivity makes Him the most inclusive person?
- Jesus said, ‘I am the Way…” Looking at these verses how would you describe the “Way” to someone. (Then consider Romans 6:23, 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9).
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 3
Day 10
Praise (What are you thankful for from day 9 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 14:9-11 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What is Truth mean to you?
- What do the following references tell you about the Truth of Jesus? (Matthew 16:13-17; John 20: 30-31; I John 2:22-23; 5:9-13)
- Jesus said, ‘I am the Truth…” Looking at these verses how would you describe this “Truth” to someone. (Then consider John 16:13; 17:17; Psalm 119:160.)
- How do you identify with Christ’s identity in the Father?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 3
Day 11
Praise (What are you thankful for from day 10 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 14:12-14 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What does a resurrected life in Christ mean to you?
- What do the following references tell you about our lives in Christ? (Galatians 2:20; John 11:25-26; 10:10; Romans 8:38-39.)
- Jesus said, ‘I am the Life…” Looking at these verses how would you describe this “Life” to someone.
- How are you participating in the God life?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
The Upper Room, Devotions in John Week 4 (14:13-28)
Week 4
Day 12
Praise (What are you thankful for from your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 14:13-28 (Introduction) (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What comes to mind when you consider the word intimacy?
- What scares you about this same word?
- Check out these references on intimacy with God: Jeremiah 29:11; I John 1:9, 3:1; James 4:8
- How do you feel about the Lord’s desire and acts of intimacy toward you?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 4
Day 13
Praise (What are you thankful for Day 12 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 14:20-21, 23 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What comes to mind when you consider the word abide?
- What scares you about this same word?
- Check out John 15:1-5 regarding this intimate relationship with the Lord.
- What do you see as your role/responsibility in abiding in Christ?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 4
Day 14
Praise (What are you thankful for Day 13 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 14:13, 15, 21, 23 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What comes to mind when you consider obedience?
- What scares you about this same word?
- Consider the following references on obedience: I Samuel 15:22; James 1:22, 4:7; Luke 6:46; Philippians 2:8;
- How do you personally put obedience into practice? (Example: Consistent prayer, etc.)
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
The Upper Room, Devotions in Matthew Week 5 (18:23-35)
This week, we’re step aside from Book of John. But the topic is so important that we still wanted to include in our Upper Room Devos.
Week 5
Day 15
Praise (What are you thankful for from your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: Matthew 18:23-26 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What do you want to be known for?
- Why do you suppose forgiveness was a key ingredient to the Kingdom of God?
- How is sin an unpayble debt?
- Consider the following references on forgiveness: Matthew 18:21-22; Mark 11:25; I John 1:9; Luke 6:37; Proverbs 10:12
- In what way(s) can you be known for regarding forgiveness?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 5
Day 16
Praise (What are you thankful for Day 15 with the Lord?)
Read the text: Matthew 18:28-32 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- Why do you suppose it was so hard for the servant to forgive even though he’d been forgiven?
- What does it mean to you to be forgiven by the Lord?
- Consider the following references on forgiveness: Matthew 6:12, 14-15; Colossians 3:13; Proverbs 28:13.
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 5
Day 17
Praise (What are you thankful for Day 16 with the Lord?)
Read the text: Ephesians 4:31-32 and John 15:1-5 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- Out of Ephesians, Joel encouraged you and me to “focus on the do’s.” How would you go about doing that, so that the “do not’s will fade away?”
- Howe do you see John 15:1-5 promoting and developing a consistent spirit if forgiveness?
- When do you and how should you obtain help (i.e. counseling)?
- How do you see the spiritual disciplines coming into play?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
The Upper Room, Devotions in John Week 6 (15:1, 5)
Week 6
Day 18
Praise (What are you thankful for from your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 15:1-5 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- Imagining God as the Gardener and Jesus as the vine, what does the garden/vineyard in your mind look like?
- Why do you suppose the Lord placed His followers in the image as branches?
- What does abiding look like to you?
- How to you personally keep on abiding?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 6
Day 19
Praise (What are you thankful for Day 18 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 15:2-8 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What does pruning from God mean to you personally?
- How do you envision the relationship of abiding and pruning?
- In what ways have you experienced His pruning?
- How do you see Hebrews 12:6 coming into play here?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 6
Day 20
Praise (What are you thankful for Day 19 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 15:5, 8 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What does the idea of bearing fruit mean to you personally?
- How do you envision the relationship of abiding and fruit?
- In what ways have you experienced His fruit in and through you?
- What fruit have you seen in others that has blessed you?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
The Upper Room, Devotions in John Week 7 (15:18-27)
Week 7
Day 21
Praise (What are you thankful for from your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 15:18-27 on Pressure & Purpose (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What comes to mind when you think of persecution?
- Ryan used the words, pressure and rejection. In what way(s) do you see these as a degree of persecution here in the US and/or your world?
- How has any kind of pressure hindered your purpose of being salt and light?
- How are you going to live your purpose as a result of this study?
PDF ON JOHN 15:18-27 ON PRESSURE & PURPOSE
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Week 7
Day 22
Praise (What are you thankful for Day 21 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 15:18-27 on The Cost (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- Name costs of following Jesus?
- What costs have you personally experienced?
- In what ways have you overcome costs you’ve experienced?
- How are you going to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 7
Day 23
Praise (What are you thankful for Day 22 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 15:18-27 on The REWARD (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What do you see as Christ’s mission?
- What do you understand to be your role in His mission?
- What hurdles have you faced?
- What victories/reward have you experienced from the Lord?
- How do you want to keep pressing on as a result of this study?
PDF ON JOHN 15:18-27 ON THE REWARD
The Upper Room, Devotions in John Week 8 (16:5-15)
Week 8
Day 24
Praise (What are you thankful for from your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 16:5-7 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- When have you felt sad that a dear friend was moving away even though you knew it was for the best?
- Describe in your own words how you suppose the disciples felt when Jesus told them He was leaving.
- Why do you think it’s better to have Jesus’ Spirit rather than Him in the flesh?
- What does it mean to you personally to understand the Holy Spirit to be a counselor?
- How do you want to keep pressing on as a result of this study?
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Week 8
Day 25
Praise (What are you thankful for DAY 24 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 16:8-11 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What do you sense the Spirit convicting you of right now? (sin, a decision, a relationship, etc.)
- Why do you suppose it’s so important for the H.S. to convict or reprove you?
- In what ways do you see the H.S. using you to bring light into this world?
- Who can you be praying for to discover the love of Jesus?
- How do you want to keep pressing on as a result of this study?
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Week 8
Day 26
Praise (What are you thankful for DAY 25 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 16:12-16 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What do the words, Spirit of Truth, mean to you?
- What truths do you believe the H.S. is guiding you into right now?
- What hurdles are you facing that you need to turn over to the Lord to free you?
- How do you want to keep pressing on as a result of this study?
The Upper Room, Devotions in John Week 9 (16:16-33)
Week 9
Day 27
Praise (What are you thankful for from your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 16:16-24 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- When have you experienced a time of sorrow that turned to joy?
- What do you think it would have been like for the disciples to hear that their Messiah was going to die?
- Describe the difference in your own mind of going through this type of sorry without the Holy Spirit versus you going through it with the Holy Spirit?
- How does it feel to you knowing that Jesus’ victory over death was and is assured, even though we all experience some degree of suffering?
- How do you want to keep pressing on as a result of this study?
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Week 9
Day 28
Praise (What are you thankful for from DAY 27 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 16:25-33 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- Do you truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, in His life, death and resurrection?
- Would you describe yourself a growing disciple of Jesus?
- Are you discipling others, who are discipling others?
- How do you want to keep pressing on as a result of this study?
The Upper Room, Devotions in John Week 10 (17:1-26)
Week 10
Day 29
Praise (What are you thankful for from your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 17:1-5 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What comes to mind when you consider God’s glory?
- In what ways do you see God’s glory exhibited in love?
- Why do you suppose God’s glory with you begins at the cross?
- How do you think it’s possible for you to receive His glory? (vv. 10, 22, 24)
- How do you want to live differently as a result of this study?
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Day 30
Praise (What are you thankful for Day 29 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 17:6-19 (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- How does it feel personally to be of such value to God?
- Explain in your own words what you think it means to be in this world but not of this world?
- In what way(s) do you understand the Lord’s protection over you based on your responses to the above question?
- How can you express this same love that you are bathed in as a follower of Jesus?
- How do you want to live differently as a result of this study?
The Upper Room, Devotions in John Week 11 (17:20-26)
Week 11
Day 31
Praise (What are you thankful for from your weekend with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 17:20 (Oneness with others) (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What does it mean to you to be in community with other believers?
- Look at these verses on oneness with others: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Colossians 3:13; Galatians 6:2.
- In what ways could you promote community in your circles of influence?
- How do you want to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 11
Day 32
Praise (What are you thankful for from Day 31 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 17:21-23a (Oneness with the Father) (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- How do you feel about Jesus praying for you to commune with the Trinity (Father, Son & Holy Spirit)?
- Look at these verses on oneness with the Father: 1 John 1:3; Philippians 2:1; Psalms 16:7; Philippians 4:6
- What does it mean to you personally to communion with God?
- Describe how you desire to be more united with God?
- How do you want to live differently as a result of this study?
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Week 11
Day 33
Praise (What are you thankful for from Day 32 with the Lord?)
Read the text: John 17:23b-26 (Oneness with Jesus’ mission) (Jot down words that you want to reflect on)
- What is your understanding of Christ’s mission?
- Look at these verses on oneness with the Father: Matthew 9:37-38; 28:19-20; 1 Corinthians 9:22; 2 Timothy 2:15.
- What does it mean to you personally to be on Christ’s mission?
- How do you want to live differently as a result of this study?