John
Lesson 15John 16:1-33
Now in Chapter 16 of John’s Gospel, we continue our study of Jesus’ teachings in the Upper Room during the last evening before his betrayal. We recall from the previous lesson that the disciples came into the Upper Room with a completely different view of Christ and his ministry than Jesus did. During this evening, he has been opening their eyes to new truths, and we will continue to explore even more of these teachings in this lesson as well.
Let’s read through John Chapters 16 and consider the following:
- Jesus goes on to tell them that he is sending "the Helper," who will bear witness about Jesus. He then explains why he has taught them such a difficult lessons regarding the importance of abiding in Him and the coming persecution they will suffer because of their faith. Why does he say that he has instructed them along these lines? (see John 16:1)
- Jesus also says something striking in this teaching. Read John 16:2-4. What new and surprising thing does he reveal to him?
- Can you cite an example of when the above actually happened in the New Testament? (See Acts 7:54-8:1.)
- What was the reaction of the disciples in the Upper Room when they heard these teachings, particularly the assertion that He was going away? (See John 16:5-11)
- As we noted previously, Jesus tells them about the "Helper" who is coming, once Jesus has gone away from them. He goes on to tell them some of what the Helper, who will remain with them, will do after Jesus has departed. What does he specifically say that the Helper will do? (See John 16:5-15)
- In John 16:16-22, we observe Jesus trying to explain to the disciples what will happen shortly, and what they will experience over the next few days. What does he say that they will experience in John 16:20, once Jesus is no longer with them?
- Jesus goes on to tell them that their sorrow will ultimately turn to joy. He tells them something specific that will cause their joy to be so great that "no one will take your joy from you." How can we explain this? What happens that will turn their sorrow into joy, a joy so great no one will be able to take it from them, even with their coming persecution? What could cause such great joy? (Read 1 John 1:1-4 for example.)
- Jesus now begins to close his teachings in the Upper Room by telling them that he has been using figurative speech, but that the hour is coming when he will speak plainly to them. The disciples respond favorably to Jesus when he says this. What do they tell Jesus in response? (See John 16:23-33)
- Jesus responds that even though the disciples say that they believe that "the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone." He closes his teaching with comfort—a comfort that was not only for the disciples, but is for us today as well. What does Jesus tell them, and us, about times of persecution and trouble, if we place our faith in him? (See John 16:33)
In the next lesson, we will see Jesus closing with a time of prayer before leading the disciples out of the Upper Room and up to the Garden of Gethsemane; there, he will be betrayed and arrested.
As we close this lesson, try to discern how the disciples felt, and all of the things running through their minds, as Jesus finishes his teaching. When we look back in our study and consider what the disciples believed about Jesus before the Last Supper—versus what they know now—we can imagine their confusion, anxiety, and even their anticipation of all of the events Jesus had foretold that were headed their way. Little did they know that much of what Jesus had just said would begin to unfold in a just a short couple of hours.
If you have the opportunity before tackling the next lesson, read Jesus’ prayer in John Chapter 17. We will be examining it closely in the next lesson. Thanks for studying with us.
In Christ,
Wes
[2018]