The Joy of Love
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April 29, 2007)
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April 29, 2007 - 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:6. This study guide explores the world of joy. This is the promise of Jesus to his disciples in John 16:17-33.
Open It
When might you use a figure of speech to explain something? Why?
What painful experiences in your life have resulted in joy?
When have you enthusiastically anticipated someone's return or arrival?
Explore It
How did the disciples react to Jesus' "in a little while" statement? (16:17-18)
What did Jesus tell His disciples would happen to them? (16:19-20)
To what did Jesus compare His disciples' response to His departure and return? (16:21-22)
What did Jesus tell His disciples they would do when they saw Him again? (16:23)
What hadn't the disciples done up until this point? (16:24)
What kind of language did Jesus use to speak to His disciples? (16:25)
Why did the Father love the disciples? (16:26-27)
From where did Jesus come and to where was He going? (16:28)
Why did the disciples say that they believed Jesus had come from God? (16:29-30)
What did Jesus predict the disciples would do? (16:31-32)
What did Jesus want for His disciples? (16:33)
Why did Jesus tell the disciples to take heart? (16:33)
Get It
How would you have responded to Jesus' words had you been there with His disciples?
What grief or sorrow in your life has God turned to joy?
For what can we ask the Father?
How has God made your joy complete?
How does the knowledge of Jesus' return make you joyful?
What figures of speech have helped you better understand spiritual truths?
What relationship do we have with the Father today?
What trouble do we have in the world as followers of Christ?
How does the fact that Jesus has overcome the world encourage you?
Apply It
In the midst of trouble, on what encouraging truth from this passage will you rely?
Because of your restored relationship with the Father, what can you ask Him to give to you in Jesus' name?
What grief or sorrow do you need to entrust to God?
Notes
John 16:20: What a contrast between the disciples and the world! The world rejoiced as the disciples wept, but the disciples would see him again (in three days) and rejoice. The world's values are often the opposite of God's values. This can cause Christians to feel like misfits. But even if life is difficult now, one day we will rejoice. Keep your eye on the future and on God's promises!
John 16:23-27: Jesus is talking about a new relationship between the believer and God. Previously, people approached God through priests. After Jesus' resurrection, any believer could approach God directly. A new day has dawned and now all believers are priests, talking with God personally and directly (see Hebrews 10:19-23). We approach God, not because of our own merit, but because Jesus, our great high priest, has made us acceptable to God.
John 16:30: The disciples believed Jesus' words because they were convinced that he knew everything. But their belief was only a first step toward the great faith they would receive when the Holy Spirit came to live in them.
John 16:31-33: As Christians, we should expect continuing tension with an unbelieving world that is "out of sync" with Christ, his gospel, and his people. At the same time, we can expect our relationship with Christ to produce peace and comfort because we are "in sync" with him.
16:32 The disciples scattered after Jesus was arrested (see Mark 14:50).
16:33 Jesus summed up all he had told them this night, tying together themes from John 14:27-29; John 16:1-4; and John 16:9-11. With these words he told his disciples to take courage. In spite of the inevitable struggles they would face, they would not be alone. Jesus does not abandon us to our struggles either. If we remember that the ultimate victory has already been won, we can claim the peace of Christ in the most troublesome times.
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April 29, 2007)
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