The Gospel of John


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The Gospel of John

God Will Never Leave You Scripture: Read through John 14:15-31 as a group. Introduction: As Christians we believe in a triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – all separate in “person” but unified in “essence.” It sounds a bit mystical and confusing, and admittedly it can be. We’re not told “how it all works,” how God can be “three” and still be “one.” Yet, there is much we can know, understand, and experience when it comes to the God of the Bible. Keep in mind that the context for John 14 is the Upper Room. Jesus is in his final moments with his disciples before his arrest and crucifixion. In particular, Jesus is preparing his men to carry on his mission after he departs. Undoubtedly the disciples were full of doubt! They had immense concern. “How are we going to be able to carry out Jesus’ mission without Jesus?” How could they (and we) pull it off? They’d need help – and this is exactly what Jesus offers as he begins to shed light on the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Helper, the Spirit of truth. In verses 16-17, Jesus says, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth.” Later in verse 26 Jesus says, “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.” The word translated as Helper is the Greek word Paraclete, a word that literally means “one called alongside.” While there are various translations for paraclete that range from “advocate,” to “comforter,” to “counselor,” to “helper,” the real wonder of the passage comes in verse 16 where Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “another Helper.” In the same way that Jesus has been the disciples’ advocate, comforter, counselor, and helper, now he’s sending them another Paraclete to continue and deepen what he started! While the Spirit is at work in the world, he, in particular, makes his way into the hearts and lives of believers (see v. 17). Without the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit the Christian life would be impossible. Likewise, the continuation of Jesus’ ministry on earth without his physical presence would be unreasonable. And yet it’s the job of the Holy Spirit to make much of Christ and his gospel in the hearts of those who believe. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job description to remind our hearts (see v. 26) of our need for cleansing and the forgiveness of our sin, and to “blowtorch” the love of God for us, a love so great that God would send His one and only Son to die in our place. Don’t overthink nor underappreciate this: God’s desire is to make his way into your heart through the Holy Spirit so that he can live there. Forever. The thought of it should astound you! God wants to be your Paraclete. Have you experienced the joy of inviting the Spirit of truth to take over your life? If you can trust Jesus, you can trust his Spirit.

Reflection: Take personal inventory of your life, heart, and spiritual journey. Use these prompts / questions as a way to prepare for group discussions – or – for personal times of prayer. 1. How do you relate to God? [Intellectually? Emotionally? Circumstantially? Stoically?] How does the concept of the Holy Spirit inform how you’re invited to relate to God? 2. If a Christian, does your daily experience of faith include reliance on and relationship with the Holy Spirit? Discuss: 1. What about the sermon stood out or impacted you the most? Do you have any follow up questions about the sermon? 2. In verse 18 Jesus says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” Jesus promises to be with His disciples physically after the resurrection and spiritually after he departs to be with the Father. The sending of the Holy Spirit is Jesus making good on that promise. Yet so often we go through life with an “orphan mentality,” alone, confused, searching for meaning and a place to belong. Discuss. 3. In verse 22 we see that the disciples were still assuming Jesus’ kingdom would be political and earthly. This is why Judas was confused. How could the world not see Jesus’ kingdom if it were brick and mortar? Yet Jesus seems to insist that the world will, in fact, see the kingdom through lives of loving obedience to the Son’s teaching (v.15 and 23-26)! Discuss the role love and obedience play before a watching world. 4. Jesus offers peace to his disciples, “but not as the world gives [peace] do I give to you.” What is the peace that Jesus offers, and why is it so different than the world’s version of it? (Hint: Grace is the key ingredient.) Apply: This week, begin your day in the scriptures. We do this so that the Holy Spirit can bring them to mind, helping you to remember the gospel throughout your day. But take another step. Pray this prayer each day: “Holy Spirit, I need you and I want you to be a bigger part of my life. Enable me to remember your word, live out your truth, see my sin, and run to you as my Paraclete.” Maybe even make this a regular practice throughout Lent as you prepare for Good Friday and Easter.