Community Group Discussion Guide

John 15:26-16:15 – Weekend of June 16 & 17, 2018

I. Starter Question:

What person has been the biggest help to you in your life? What is an example of a time when they helped you the most?

II. Discussion of Scripture:

Context: In our study so far of John 15, we saw Jesus discuss with his disciples what it means to abide in the vine, or in Pastor John’s illustration, what it means to be plugged into our power source. In verse 15:16, Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go bear fruit…”. As Rob mentioned in his sermon last week, this choosing of us is not about privilege, but rather purpose. We have been chosen so that we would continue to carry out the works that Jesus began. Jesus then describes the hatred and persecution that will be brought upon the disciples for following him in this purpose. In the passage we’re studying this week, Jesus continues by letting his disciples, and us, know about the Holy Spirit, who helps us carry out this divine purpose!

A. John 15:26-16:15 (ESV)26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. 27 And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning.

16 1 “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. 3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. 4 But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.

The Work of the Holy Spirit“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. 5 But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; 10 concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; 11 concerning

judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Brief Explanation: Jesus follows the section on persecution by saying that the Holy Spirit will be sent by both Jesus and the Father as a helper. He says he tells them all these things so as to encourage them to persevere, that they would be kept from from falling away. He has just called his disciples his friends, a deeply personal sentiment, and he sees their sadness over his imminent departure. He comforts and encourages them further by saying it is actually advantageous to them and to the work of the Kingdom for him to leave — otherwise the Holy Spirit wouldn’t come to help multiply his work across the world.

For Discussion:

· In verse 15:26, what does Jesus call the Holy Spirit? (Look at other translations as well for a variety of other words.) Why does he give the Holy Spirit that title? What does that imply his role will be in the mission of his disciples, and us?

· In verse 15:26, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit will bear witness about him. How should that be a comfort to us when we are sharing the good news of Christ with other people?

· In verses 16:1-4, what does Jesus say is the reason he has told these things to his disciples? What stands out to you in these verses?

· In verse 16:7, Jesus says to his disciples that it is “to your advantage that I go away” because if he does not, the Holy Spirit will not come to them. Expand on this — what is his leaving, and the Holy Spirit’s arriving, enabling the disciples to do?

· In verses 16:13-14, why does Jesus say we can trust the Holy Spirit’s guidance? What is the purpose or end goal? What kind of picture of the Trinity is shown here?

· What are some practical ways you can depend on the Holy Spirit this week?

III. Responding in Prayer:

1. Pray for John and Emily Wohlgemuth, and their boys, Noah, Luke and Levi, as they transition their ministry to Henderson Hills! Pray that the Lord would bless them with endurance and strength in every way — mentally, physically, and spiritually.

2. Pray for our church that we would be led by the Spirit to fully embrace the mission of our church: Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. As Christians, we were chosen for purpose — the purpose of glorifying God, and we glorify God by loving him, loving people, and making disciples!

3. Pray for the many kids who attended VBS this last week, that the Holy Spirit would be at work to awaken many to faith, to convict many of sin, and to instruct and teach many in the ways they should go!

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.