John 16:5-15 | Food for Thought

 

Notes

  • This is part of Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, in which he’s preparing his disciples for his imminent departure - to the cross, to the grave, and to his throne in heaven.

Questions

  • We know that things will be BEST when Jesus returns to set all things right. But in the meantime, Jesus says it’s BETTER for him to have arrived and then left than to have arrive and stayed. Why is that more advantageous for us?

    • What roles does Jesus say the Spirit will play as it relates to the world, the ruler of the world, and to us?

      • Why do we need the Spirit to do the work of convicting of sin / unbelief?

      • Why do we need the Spirit to do the work of showing / leading people into righteousness while Jesus is on his throne?

      • Why do we need the Spirit to convict the world of the judgment that’s come upon the “ruler of this world?”

    • What are “counterfeit holy spirits” that we rely on / use / trust to do the work of convicting / leading / changing the world? How do we take the role of the Spirit in the lives of others in a wrong / unhelpful way… even if it’s well-intentioned?!

    • What if Jesus lived, died, rose, and ascended, but he never sent the Spirit? How would our lives, hope for the world, faith, etc. be different? (And if we don’t think our lives wouldn’t be different, what does that say about us?)

  • Sometimes we don’t like it when we don’t have the answers. What’s one reason that Jesus gives for not telling his disciples everything in this text?

    • What do you usually think is the reason God is withholding some knowledge / wisdom / clarity from you?

  • Jesus says that the Spirit will guide us into the truth. Some folks can use this passage as license to declare truth that isn’t actually true - all in the name of saying “the Spirit told them so.” From what Jesus tells us here, what’s one way we can evaluate Spirit-led understanding of truth?

    • How is the Holy Spirit involved in your reading, studying, and application of Scripture - our Spirit-inspired, authoritative rule of faith? What does it look like to let him guide you into truth?

 
JohnScott O'Donohoe