Week 16 – John chapter 16 Jesus’ Death is the Way to Life

1. Read John 16:1-15 Jesus’ death and resurrection will bring the Holy Spirit

a. Jesus affirms to His disciples that that His departure (through death and resurrection) will be for their advantage. How does He explain this astonishing claim? (John 16:6-7)

b. When the Holy Spirit comes, what will be His three-fold mission to the unbelieving world? (John 16:8-11)

c. For deeper thought: How will this convicting work of the Holy Spirit assist the disciples as they proclaim the gospel message after the death and resurrection of Jesus? (John 16:8-11)

d. For personal reflection: As we seek to share the love of Jesus with our family and friends, we have a divine Partner. How does this provision of the Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts of unbelievers give you courage as you speak to others about the gospel of Christ?

On the last night before His death, Jesus gives His disciples His final instructions to prepare them for their role in continuing His mission. In John 15, Jesus has given them an overview of how His followers are to live in a way that pleases God—they are to remain in Him. They are to remain in a close relationship with Jesus. He is the Vine that supplies life, and His followers are the branches who bear the fruit of godly character as they remain in Him.

At the cross, Jesus will give His life as the sacrifice that pays the penalty for sin and brings forgiveness and eternal life. Only after Jesus’ death and resurrection may the Holy Spirit, as the seal and presence of God, be given to indwell God’s people of faith. The blessings of the age of the Holy Spirit do not come until the saving work of Christ is complete. This gift of the Holy Spirit, which we enjoy from the moment of faith, is a gift the disciples had not yet received and could not comprehend.

e. Why has Jesus not revealed all that He wants to say to His disciples on this fateful night? (John 16:12)

f. How will the disciples’ current incomplete understanding of the person and work of Jesus eventually be enlightened so that they will be able to accomplish the work they will be given to do? (John 16:13-15)

g. How do we as 21st century believers benefit from the Holy Spirit’s ministry of revelation to the disciples? (See 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21)

2. Read John 16:16-24 Jesus’ resurrection is the basis for our joy

a. How would you appraise the disciples’ understanding of Jesus’ teaching about His imminent departure? (John 16:16-18)

b. Jesus knew all that was going to happen to Him, but Jesus did not disclose to them the excruciating horror of the events to come. How did Jesus offer His disciples hope for enduring the unthinkable events of the next three days? (John 16:19-22)

c. Read Hebrews 12:1-2. How did the writer of Hebrews describe the motivating power of Jesus’ own expectation of eternal joy?

d. For personal reflection: How may the anticipation of your own future eternal joy motivate you to live with purpose in this life, even at the risk of temporary pain?

e. For personal reflection: Jesus’ illustration of childbirth—an extended time of tearing pain that results in inexpressible joy—is an illustration with personal impact for many of us. Has there been a time in your life when a painful, life-altering situation was used by God to bring an eventual, unquenchable joy into your life? How does this expand your thinking about God and His goodness?

f. What additional blessing does Jesus announce—a new privilege that will add to the disciples’ joy? (John 16:23-24)

3. Read John 16:25-32 Jesus’ resurrection brings intimacy with God in prayer

a. Jesus describes a new personal intimacy with God that will bring joy to those who love Jesus. What characteristics of this new relationship with God do you find in John 16:25-28?

b. Read Hebrews 10:19-23. How does this passage in Hebrews add to your understanding of our privilege of direct access to God through prayer?

c. Although the disciples seem confident that they understand Him and firmly believe in Him; nevertheless, Jesus warns them that He knows their frailty. How will the disciples fail Jesus in the time of His need? (John 16:32)

d. For personal reflection: Jesus knew the extent of the disciples’ cowardice and the disgrace of their coming betrayal, yet His love for them did not waver. How does this give you comfort as you realize that your own failures do not lessen the steadfast love of God for you?

4. Read John 16:33 Jesus’ resurrection brings the promise of peace a. Jesus summarizes His purpose for the teaching He has given this night. What is

that purpose? Where may that result be found? (John 16:33a)

b. Where has Jesus left His disciples, and what may they expect to experience there? (John 16:33b)

c. Why are the disciples (and all of Jesus’ followers) able to escape discouragement as they encounter trouble in this world? (John 16:33c)

d. For deeper thought and personal reflection: How does Jesus’ victory at the cross enable us to rise above the losses, the struggles, and the disappointments of this life and to receive the peace that Jesus has provided?

e. For personal reflection: Are there any circumstances in your life today where you need encouragement through the assurance of Jesus’ victory and confidence in His love? Take a moment to bring these circumstances before Him in prayer.

Jesus’ death and resurrection provide His followers with

the life of the Spirit and new intimacy with God