• HOME
• LESSONS
  • Current Study Lesson
  • Bible Lessons
    • Bible Study
    • Old Testament
    • New Testament
  • Lessons » Email Sign-up
• TOPICS
  • Angels and Demons
  • Bible, The
    • Bible Study
    • Old Testament
    • New Testament
  • Challenging Questions
  • Children’s Questions
  • Christian Doctrine
  • Christmas
  • Church Matters
  • Cults
  • Discipleship
  • Easter
  • Heaven
  • Faith in the Workplace
  • Living the Christian Life
  • Missions
  • Prayer
  • Prophecy
  • A-Z index
• STUDY AIDS
  • Reference Materials
  • Online References
  • Links
• PRAYER
  • Prayer List
  • Prayer Aids
  • Post a Prayer
  • Post a Praise
  • Prayer List » Email Sign-up
• WES HUSTED
  • My Testimony
  • Doctrinal Position
  • Blogs
  • Sermons
  • Organizations That I Support
  • Mission Statement
  • Dad’s Poetry
  • Contact Wes
•  

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:

1. 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)
   1. ANSWER: He provided these teachings so that when the difficult times come, they will not fall away from their faith.
2. Jesus also says something striking in this teaching. Read John 16:2-4. What new and surprising thing does he reveal to him?
   1. ANSWER: Jesus informs them that a time is coming when people will kill the disciples, and in doing so, will believe they are doing a "service to God."
3. Can you cite an example of when the above actually happened in the New Testament? (See Acts 7:54-8:1.)
   1. ANSWER 1: The stoning of Stephen is one of many examples. The Pharisees, including "Saul" (who would later become the apostle Paul), did not really know God; they simply knew a collection of rules that they were following. They believed that they were doing a service for God by persecuting all of the followers of Jesus.
   2. ANSWER 2: This is also certainly a lie that the Anti-Christ will use against all the followers of Jesus during the period of Great Tribulation.
4. 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)
   1. ANSWER: John 16:6 tells us that Jesus knew his disciples were saddened by his teaching; he stated, "sorrow has filled your heart."
5. 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)
   1. ANSWER 1: The Helper will "convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment."
   2. ANSWER 2: The Helper will "guide you into all the truth."
   3. ANSWER 3: The Helper will "declare to you all of the things that are to come."
   4. ANSWER 4: The Helper "will glorify me" and "take what is mine and declare it all to you."
6. 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?
   1. ANSWER: Jesus tells them, "You will weep and lament," and "you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn joy."
7. 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.)
   1. ANSWER: The disciples were deeply saddened at the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. Having believed that he was the true Messiah, they suffered greatly at his death. However, upon seeing the resurrected Christ, their joy was beyond description. Now they knew Jesus was the true Messiah and that their faith had not been in vain. It was a joy that would carry them through many trials—and eventually martyrdom for many. However, nothing ever removed that joy, since they were assured that they were serving the resurrected Christ.
8. 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)
   1. ANSWER: The disciples tell him that they believe he is now speaking plainly; and, further, that "Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you; this is why we believe that you came from God."
9. 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)
   1. ANSWER: Jesus says, "I have said these things to you, that in me you have my peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

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]

[PDF Version]