Small Group 7/23/20

Doubt becomes faith

What does it look like for someone to move from doubting Jesus to placing their faith and trust in Him?

John 16:25–26 ESV

25 “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. 26 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;

When the Israelites wanted to talk to God what did they have to do?

What does the work of Jesus enable for us in terms of talking to God?

John 16:27–28 ESV

27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. 28 I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”

How does it feel to know that God the Father loves us?

He loves us because we love Jesus and believe he came from God. (Not because of good we have done.)

What 4 Christian doctrines do we see in verse 28?

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John 16:29–30 ESV

29 His disciples said, “Ah, now you are speaking plainly and not using figurative speech! 30 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.”

Holman New Testament Commentary: John C. Doubt Turns to Faith (16:25–30)

The difference between not understanding and understanding the Bible comes not from years of seminary training, but from the presence and teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Fear Becomes Peace

John 16:31–33 ESV

31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? 32 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. 33 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.”

Do you think Jesus’ question in vs 31 was a commendation?

(Meaning Jesus is confident now the disciples believe in Him.)

Do you think Jesus’ question in vs 31 was a skeptical; almost rhetorical question?

(Meaning Jesus doubts the disciples really and firmly believed in Him.)

What is a bubble?

Where in life do we see bubbles or things like bubbles?

What do bubbles do?

Are the structures created by a bubble likely to last?

Jesus’ disciples have just claimed to now believe that He is the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus wants them to see that in the near future they will abandon Him.

How is Jesus teaching about the disciples abandoning Him like popping a bubble and why is it important?

How is vs 32 (Where the disciples abandon Jesus) part of what gives the disciples peace in Jesus (vs33)?

What does it look like for us to take heart believing that Jesus has overcome the world? How has Jesus overcome the world?