We realize you may not be able to discuss home, at work, or in the marketplace? What did all the questions. Pick the ones you like. they do? How did the person who received the Small Group Questions blessing respond? “Holy Spirit: Adversary or Advocate?” c. When you think about Jesus, what has he done b John 16:4 –15 that serves as an advantage to you that was not easy or pleasant for him to do? How should you Previous message summary: Since the world hated Jesus, respond to his devotion and love for you? we can be assured that the world will hate those who choose to live like him and share the message of who he is and what he Discussion Questions has done. Jesus tells his disciples that opposition is inevitable Read John 16:4b-15 and may be terrible. In fact, all of the disciples except John, die the death of a martyr for their faith in Jesus. But as Jesus tells 2. Jesus tells his disciples that he did not tell them them that there will be opposition, he also tells them that they certain things from the beginning. What things is have help to endure the opposition. The promised Holy Spirit Jesus referring to (think about what he has told them will come and strengthen them as they face the hatred of the in chapters 13–15) and why did he not tell them these this world. things until now? What we learned: Every day Christians face hatred and a. Would the physical presence of Jesus help the persecution from the world for their faith in Jesus. The world, disciples deal with trials, persecution, and in which is tolerant of everything and everyone, except Christians understanding God’s purpose and plan? If so, and the truth of Christ, will seek to destroy and silence those how? who call themselves Christian. We see it in our world today when two-thirds of the world’s population live in countries b. Have you ever wished you could have walked and where it is illegal to be a Christian. We see it in our world today talked with Jesus as one of his disciples? when those who wear the name Christian are persecuted and 3. How many times has Jesus told his disciples that he is executed for their faith in Christ. As we see persecution, may going away in John chapters 13–16? (13:3, 33, 36; we rely upon the strength of the Holy Spirit and count it all joy when we are found worthy to suffer for the name of Jesus. 14:2-3, 12, 18, 19, 28; 16:5, 7, 16, 19, 28) a. When Jesus talks about going away, where is he Introduction going, and what will his going away accomplish? 1. Have you ever had to do something unpopular or b. Did any of the disciples ask Jesus the question, even unpleasant because it served as an advantage “Where are you going?” What does Jesus say in to those around you? If so, what did you do and how verse 5? What did Peter say in John 13:36? What was that an advantage for others? did Thomas say in John 14:5? a. Is it easy for people in our culture and society to c. What was the focus of the disciples’ questions take their focus off of themselves and seek to do when they asked where Jesus was going? Were what is advantageous for others? Why or why they concerned for Jesus or for themselves? How not? does their motive in asking the question help us understand what Jesus says in verse 5 about b. Have you ever witnessed someone doing an them not asking the question? unselfish act for the advantage of others in your 4. In verse 7, Jesus tells the disciples that it is an d. Who does the Holy Spirit Glorify? How does the advantage to them that he goes away. How is it an Holy Spirit glorify Jesus through the disciples? advantage to them? What happens as a result of How does the Holy Spirit guide you to glorify Jesus going away? Jesus in your life? a. Is having the Holy Spirit better than walking and 7. How has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit been an talking with Jesus in his physical bodily form? If advantage in your life? Has he given you strength in so, how is having the Holy Spirit better? Read times of trial? Has he given you comfort in times of John 14:17 & 16:13-14. grief and loss? Has he given you guidance as you b. How has the Holy Spirit helped you in your work to share the Gospel and build God’s Kingdom? Christian life? How has he guided you and helped Challenge: Many of us forget about, or greatly diminish you glorify Jesus? the role of the Holy Spirit in the world and in the life of a 5. What does Jesus tell his disciples about the job that Christian. May the words of Jesus to his disciples be the Holy Spirit will do in the world? Read Jn. 16:8-11. words that help you remember that the Holy Spirit will a. How does the Holy Spirit convict the world of sin? show up in mighty ways to work in both the world and in the life of each and every Christian. Be sensitive to the b. How does the Holy Spirit convict the world guiding of the spirit and his work in the world this week. concerning righteousness? c. How does the Holy Spirit convict the world Action: Take a moment and say a prayer of thanks to concerning judgment? Who is the ruler of this God for giving the Holy Spirit to do his work in you and in world? What is God’s judgment against him? the world around you. Ask God to guide you in the truth d. In your life, have you experienced the conviction and work through you to glorify Jesus as you live for him of the Holy Spirit? Did this happen before you this week. were a Christian, after becoming a Christian, or Next Steps: both? 6. What does Jesus tell his disciples about the work that G I am so thankful to have the Holy Spirit as my the Holy Spirit will do in their lives? Read Jn. 16:13- Advocate rather than my Adversary. 15. G I will allow the Holy Spirit to work in me and through a. How does the Holy Spirit guide the disciples in all me to glorify Jesus Christ. the truth? What does he specifically help them do? Read 2 Timothy 3:16 & 2 Peter 1:20-21. G I will thank Jesus for doing what is best for me, even when I may want something different. b. What does the Holy Spirit declare through the disciples as they share the Gospel? Read Acts 2:22-24; 36-38 & Acts 4:10-12. c. Whose “things” does the holy Spirit declare? What does this say about the relationship between the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and the Father?