Community Group Discussion Guide

John 14:12-26 – Weekend of May 19 & 20, 2018

I. Starter Question:

Easier: What do you find yourself praying for most often?

Deeper: Christians struggle with our old sin nature, particularly when it comes to works! What are some examples of ways you have drifted off course and tried to earn favor with God?

II. Discussion of Scripture:

Context: Jesus just foretold Peter’s denial, and he also just assured his disciples of their future home in heaven together with the Father. In this next section, he emphasizes the importance of obedience for believers and tells of the great promise of the Holy Spirit to believers.

A. John 14:12-26 (ESV)12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.25 “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Brief Explanation: At the start of the passage, Jesus says that Christians will continue the work that he has begun, and their works will be greater than those he has done (verse 12). This speaks to the global scale of works that will now be possible because of the Holy Spirit at work in the lives of the multiplied believers. Jesus also says that whatever we ask in his name, he will do it! This means that “whatever we ask” mirrors the desires of Jesus. As we mature in the Lord, our desires come more and more into alignment with Jesus’.

Next, Jesus emphasizes this: if you love him, you will keep his commandments (vv. 15, 21, 23, 24). It is important to not read into this that salvation is earned through works, but instead that obedience to commandments happens because you are saved. How are you empowered to keep those commandments? Through the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promises to those who love him. (vv. 16, 26).

For Discussion:

· In what ways will his disciples’ works be greater than Jesus (verse 12)?

· What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name? (verse 13)

· Does verse 14 really mean that Jesus will do “anything” we ask if we ask in his name?

· In verse 15 Jesus says, “If you love me,” — what kind of love is he talking about?

· How does Jesus want us to show our love for him? (verse 15)

· What commandments are being referenced in verse 15 when he says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments?” (See John 13:34-35 and Matthew 22:34-40.)

· If the Holy Spirit is the “another Helper” (verse 16), who is the first helper?

· “Helper” can also be translated as “advocate” — what do advocates do?

· What are the various attributes of the Holy Spirit? See Psalm 139:7-10, Luke 1:35-37, Isaiah 40:13-14, and Hebrews 9:14.

· Jesus is serious enough about Christians keeping his words and commandments that he mentions it three times in the passage. Is keeping his words and commandments what saves us?

· What does the Holy Spirit do for Christians today? (verse 26)

III. Responding in Prayer:

1. Pray that our church would continue in the charge we’ve been given, which Jesus began — glorifying God in all we do, living and spreading the gospel, and serving with a Kingdom

perspective!

2. Continue praying for the man God would have to lead our church as our next lead pastor! Pray for strength and endurance during this time. Pray for his church, as well.

3. Pray for a powerful working of the Holy Spirit in our church! Pray for the Lord to bring clarity to our body as to His directing us.

Mission / Vision / Valuesof Henderson Hills Baptist Church

Our Mission:Love God. Love People. Make Disciples. Our Vision:Our vision is to become a diverse family of surrendered and transformed people who passionately love God and others. We endeavor to be a body that is overcome by the reality that this life is not about us, but all about the glory of God. We want to be transfixed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and compelled by His heart for our world. We strive to be seed-throwers and fire-starters, hope-announcers and grace-givers, risk-takers and constant-reformers, lifelong-learners and sold-out doers. We desire to be a people who gladly give our lives to free the captive, strengthen the weak, embrace the outcast, and seek out the lost. Because Scripture is our authority, we strive to be a family that serves together, studies the Word together, plays together, worships together, and lives life together. By God's grace our world will be changed because we are here. Our Values:

1. Glorifying God:

We value the passionate pursuit of knowing God and walking with Him.

2. Submitting to the Authority of Scripture:

We value the sufficiency of Scripture in every aspect of our lives.

3. Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

We value sharing the Gospel and making disciples.

4. Serving with a Kingdom Perspective:

We value living our lives focused upon what will matter most for eternity.

5. Cherishing the Local Church:

We value the essential role of the church in the sanctification of the believer and salvation of the nations.

6. Doing Life Together in a Christ-Centered Community:

We value that God uniquely uses personal relationships to sanctify and sharpen believers.