Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
CLASS EIGHTEEN: The Ministry of the Holy Spirit
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen to John 16:1-33
a. What are your initial impressions or Notable translation differences?
III. Continued Discourse Concerning Persecution (vv. 1-4)
a. (vs. 1) “These things” refers to the things He has spoken since the Last Supper in Chapter 13. Chapter 16 ends the Upper Room Discourse. How might the disciples “stumble” or “fall away?”
b. (vv. 2-4) Most likely, Jesus is referring to Jewish rather than Roman persecution. Many rabbi’s believed that it was an act of worship to kill a “heretic.” How do you think the disciples felt about this news?
IV. Ministry of the Holy Spirit (vv. 5-15)
a. (vv. 5-6) Both Peter (13:36) and Thomas (14:5) had earlier asked Jesus where He was going, but they were concerned about themselves and not Jesus. They were more of a protest about His abandoning them. Again, they were not thinking of what this moment meant for Jesus.
b. (vs. 7) Their fears are unfounded. Why?
c. (vv. 8-11) What will the Spirit do when He comes to the disciples? Why is it important that Jesus be crucified, risen, and ascended before the ministry of the Spirit begins? What is the result of the Spirit convicting the world?
d. (vs. 12) Why can’t they bear the many things that Jesus has to say?
e. (vv. 13-15) When we compare 16:13 with 14:26 we can see the way God planned for the inspiration and writing of the New Testament Scriptures:
i. The Spirit would remind them of Jesus’ teaching - giving us the four Gospels.
ii. The Spirit would guide them into all Truth – giving us the Epistles.
iii. The Spirit will show you things to come – giving us the prophetic Scriptures, especially the book of Revelation.
V. Sorrow Turned to Joy (vv. 16-24)
a. (vv. 16-19) What do you think Jesus was saying?
b. (vv. 20-24) Note that joy will not replace sorrow but that sorrow will be turned to joy. The same thing that brought sorrow will now bring joy. (See also Deut. 23:5; Neh. 13:2; Psalm 30:5,11; Isaiah 61:3)
VI. Jesus is Victorious (vv. 25-33)
a. (vv. 25-27) What time do you think Jesus is referring to and how will He communicate about the Father?
b. (vs. 28) This is an allusion to Isaiah 55:11-12.
c. (vv. 29-30) What did Jesus say that gave the disciples this “ah ha?”
d. (vs. 31) It sounds like Jesus is skeptical but 17:7 reveals He believes they are sincere.
e. (vs. 32) Matthew remembers Jesus stating this will happen in order to fulfill prophesy. (Matthew 26:31; Zechariah 13:7).
f. (vs. 33) This verse ends Jesus’ discourse to His disciples before He prays and then enters the garden of Gethsemane and is betrayed.
VII. Application
a. The Holy Spirit comes to believers, not so that they can live lives of comfort and ease, but to empower Christians to advance God’s Kingdom in ways that cannot happen without His supernatural help. (John 14:12; Acts 1:8)
b. Faith, Hope, and Love are central virtues in the life of a Christian. (1st Corinthians 13:13; 1st Thessalonians 1:2-3)
Final Comments, Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week: The Real Lord’s Prayer
- Read John 17:1-26 to prepare.
