Past / Present / Future, Part 5: Present = With

“How do you become completely present in the sacredness of this current moment?”
– Pastor Grant

If we can be present with ,
we can be present with .

John 13:6b-8
“Lord, are You washing my feet?”
         Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
         Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

Dr. Richard Schwartz’s 8 Cs

1. Curiosity
2. Calm
3. Confidence
4. Compassion
5. Creativity
6. Clarity
7. Courage
8. Connectedness

John 18:10-11
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
         So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?”

Luke 22:56-57
Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.”
         But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.”

John 18:20-21
Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”

Small Group Questions

1. Is it easy or hard for you to tune out what’s going on around you? Has this always been true for you?
2. What do you think of the perspective that being present is “being with”? How does that challenge your daily interactions and relationships with Jesus and others?
3. What personal practices or experiences have helped you become more aware of your presentness?
4. Reflect on the story of Peter. How did Peter’s lack of presentness affect his actions? Do you relate to Peter’s struggles?
5. What do you think about the statement: “If you can be present with Jesus, you can be present with anyone”?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?