The High Priestly Prayer (John 17:13-19)

But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is the difference between joy and happiness? Would you rather have happiness or joy? And why would you rather have one or the other?

2. Why is Jesus’ joy a fulfilling joy?

3. Why do you think Jesus speaks about joy the closer he gets to the cross?

4. Why do we chase the world sometimes instead of the word?

5. How do we deal with being “in the world but not of the world?”

The High Priestly Prayer (John 17:6-12)

6 "I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”

Discussion Questions:

Outline and summarize Jesus’ prayer here in these verses.

What do we learn about prayer through Jesus' prayer in John 17:6-12?

What is the first request Jesus makes on behalf of His disciples?

How is Jesus’ prayer here comforting for us as believers? 

What do these verses teach us about discipleship?

The High Priestly Prayer (John 17:1-5)

Discussion Questions:

1. Spend a few minutes summarizing verses 1-5. What is the theme of Jesus’ prayer in these verses?

2. What do these verses teach us about Jesus?

3. What does Jesus have authority to give?

4. How does Jesus define eternal life in verse 3? Is his definition different than what you grew up thinking?

5. How do these verses impact your own prayer life?

Hope? (John 16:25-33)

“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.” His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 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.” Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Discussion Questions:

1. The Bible is written in many different figures of speech. What parts are really difficult to understand? Why doesn’t God just tell us the full story in a straight forward and easy to understand way?

2. What significance do verses 26-27 have for how we should pray?

3. How do we know that God hears our prayers?

4. If you or a friend is suffering, how can verses 32-33 be helpful?

Hope? (John 16:16-24)

John 16:16-24:

16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.”17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.” 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

Discussion Questions:

1. What is Jesus telling his disciples in verse 16?

2. How do Jesus’ words in these verses reassure the disciples despite the pain and suffering to come? How is this also true of all who hope in Jesus?

3. How does looking to the cross and empty tomb encourage and cultivate joy during all circumstances?

4. What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?

Hope? (John 16:4-15)

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Jesus’ intimate knowledge of His disciples bring us hope?

2. How does this week’s passage encourage us to fight the temptation to soft sell the gospel?

3. How does this passage bring clarity to the role of the Holy Spirit?

4. What truth from this passage brings you the greatest hope?

The Coming Persecution (John 15:26-16:4)

Discussion Questions:

1. What have we been seeing Jesus prepare his disciples for in the past three weeks? How does this fit with your idea of following Jesus? How does it fit with modern health, wealth, and prosperity gospels?

2. What testimony is the Holy Spirit giving? Where is he fixing our eyes and directing us to place our faith, hope, and security? Why is listening to his witness so crucial in everyday life and especially in suffering and persecution?

3. Why did Jesus warn his disciples about their upcoming persecution (16:1,4)? Why is that important?

The Coming Persecution (John 15:21-25)

Discussion Questions:

1. On Sunday we learned that whenever we are faced with persecution, we have a responsibility to respond in a Christ-honoring, Christ-exalting manner. What is a Christ-exalting, Christ- honoring way to respond to persecution?

2. What is Jesus seeking to say in verses 22-24?

3. What is ironic about verse 25?

4. How does verse 25 give us hope as followers of Jesus?

The Coming Persecution (John 15:18-20)

Discussion Questions:

1. As we begin to live out, apply, and proclaim the hope of the gospel to the world, what does Jesus prepare us for in John 15:18-20?

2. Why does the world hate those who abide in Jesus?

3. How does the fact that God came and suffered for us comfort us whenever we experience persecution?

4. We learned on Sunday that “being rejected by the world does not mean that we are rejected by God.” How does God’s unconditional love for us comfort us in the face of rejection by the world?

The True Vine (John 15:9-17)

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to abide in Jesus?

2. Describe the difference from obedience to earn love and obedience as a response to love.

3. Read 1 John 3:11-24. What similarities do you see between 1 John 3 and John 15? What are some tangible ways that we can love one another?

4. Jesus, in John 15:12-13, calls his disciples to love one another as he has loved them. This assumes that Christians ought to be willing to serve like Christ and be served like Christ. Why is it so difficult for us to be served sometimes?

5. What does it mean that God chose us rather than we choose him? Why does Jesus say that God chooses people?

The True Vine (John 15:1-8)

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Jesus contrast with Israel according to Isaiah 5:1-2 and Jeremiah 2:5-8; 13; and 21?

2. When you hear the word "prune," how does that make you feel? What encouragement is there in that Jesus says, "every branch that does bear fruit he prunes?"

3. What fruit should be evident in a believers life?

4. What does it mean to abide?

The “where” of Missions

Discussion Questions:

1. We saw in Acts 1:8 that there is not a single person on this planet that we are to withhold the good news of Jesus from. Is there anyone in your life that you struggle to share the gospel with?

2. We also saw how important the Holy Spirit is in our evangelism. Spend a few minutes discussing this. Share with the group stories of how the Holy Spirit has worked in and through you as you’ve shared the gospel with others.

3. Let’s strategize. What are some practical ways that you as a community group can engage in missions locally?

4. Let’s pray. Spend a few minutes praying that (1) God will bless those who are already taking the gospel to unreached areas, (2) that God will call men and women from Harbor to take the gospel to unreached areas, and (3) that we will be faithful in supporting, training, sending, and partnering with those who take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

The "why" of Missions

Discussion questions:

1. Why do we join in God's mission to the whole world?

2. What does it look like for every church member to be a part of God's mission in Mobile? Around the world?

3. If Jesus commands us to make disciples in the great commission then what does that look like in our every day lives?

4. If our disciple making reflects our obedience to Christ (1 John 2:3-6), what sacrifices do each of us need to make to be making disciples in obedience?

5. What makes God worthy of our praise?

The "what" of Missions

Discussion questions:

1. How did this week’s message shape or re-emphasize your understanding of missions?

2. Knowing the message and getting it correct matters, what is the gospel message?

3. What are some practical ways you can be living on mission now? What fears do you have?

4. What Scriptures bring you encouragement when you think about the difficulty of living on mission?

John 14:25-31

Sermon:

Discussion Questions:

1. What do these verses tell us about the Holy Spirit?

2. Why does Jesus give the promises and assurances of the Helper, his peace, and his divine knowledge before the chaos of betrayal and crucifixion ensue? Why is it so important to rehearse and dwell on the truth of God's word before we enter storms, trials, struggles, and suffering?

3. How does the world try to offer peace today? How does all of this contrast with the peace Jesus offers and the way he secures peace for us?

4. Read Philippians

John 14:15-24

Sermon

Discussion Questions:

1. How do we know the Holy Spirit is at work in a person's life according to John 14:15-24? What evidence will be obvious? How will our love for Jesus be evident according to vs 15, 21, and 23?

2. What are some commands that Jesus has given in this gospel?

3. What does this passage tell us about the Holy Spirit?

4. Where does this passage say that the Holy Spirit lives? Why is that important?

5. In what ways has the Holy Spirit helped you in your walk with Jesus?

John 14:8-14

Announcements:

Sermon:

Worship Songs:

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some other passages in John and outside of John that speak to the divine nature of Jesus? Why is understanding Jesus’ divine nature so important?

2. What does it mean that “greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father?”

3. What does it mean to ask in Jesus’ name?

4. How do these verses impact your prayer life?

John 14:1-7

Announcements:

Sermon:

Worship Songs:

Discussion Questions:

1. Wayne pointed out that we all are going to have troubled hearts. What is causing you trouble? How does this passage bring you comfort?

2. There is room in the family for all who believe. How does that truth bring you comfort, personally?

3. How does this passage speak to the urgency of sharing the hope of the gospel? 

4. Whose salvation are you praying for personally? How can your group join with you in praying for the lost in light of the urgency of the message?

John 13:31-38

Announcements:

Sermon:

Worship Songs:

Discussion Questions:

1. How is God glorified through the betrayal and death of his son Jesus?

2. If God is holy and perfectly just, then he cannot allow sin into his presence for eternity. Sin has to be paid for. How does this affect your perspective on who goes to heaven and who goes to hell?

3. If you reject God on earth, why in the world would he force you into his presence for eternity?

4. What makes Jesus’ commandment in verse 34 a “new” commandment?

5. What does it look like to love those around you in the same way that Jesus radically loves us?

John 13:18-30

Sermon:

Worship Songs:

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Psalm 41 and 2 Samuel 15. What are some of the parallels between what happened with Ahithophel and David and Judas and Jesus? Why is that important?

2. How does Jesus announcement of Judas’ betrayal before it happened give us hope?

3. We saw that Jesus was able to see what man cannot see when it came to Judas. How is that a warning to us today?

4. What comes to your mind when you hear the word “betray”? Have you ever been betrayed by someone? How does John handle his betrayer in John 13?