The Counselor – John 14:16-21 

• Q. Why would the disciples, as well as believers today, need the Holy Spirit, the Counselor? 
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • They needed encouragement 
  • They needed an advocate or intercessor (cf 1 Jn 2:1)
  • They needed a comforter (The KJV used comforter which a the time it was written meant “to strengthen, to encourage, to aid.”
  • The needed help to obey the commands of Jesus.
• Q. How do we know the Spirit of God? How are we certain we are hearing from the Holy Spirit? 
  
  • Discuss. 
  • John’s answer is that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. It is not of the world. 
  • The Holy Spirit will not teach anything that contradicts what Jesus taught.
• Q. When you hear the word “orphan” what comes to mind?
  
  • Answers will vary.
  • A lot of us will think of a child who lost their parents, whether a friend, family member, or someone from the community.
  • This word brings an emotional response because of the challenges that come with growing up without your parents.
  • In the first century context the disciples of a rabbi who dies would have been called orphans. Jesus had even referred to the disciples as “Little Children” (Jn 13:33), so here we see Jesus assuring them that He would not leave them alone. He would be with them. 
• “After Jesus’s resurrection, the disciples would clearly understand that the inter-dwelling of the Triune God becomes the pattern for the relationship between Jesus and His disciples” (ETB Commentary). 
• Q. Read Jn 14:15, 21. How do these verses say the same thing? 
  
  • Give time to answer.
  • Jn 14:15 starts with those who love Jesus and ends with keeping His commands.
  • Jn 14:21 starts with keeping His commands and ends with those who love Jesus.
• Q. If we view Jn 14:15 & Jn 14:21 as the book ends, how do the verses in-between fit in? What would you say is the main point of those verses? 
  
  • The Holy Spirit empowers believers to keep Jesus commands and to grow in their relationship with God.
  • This is why/how Jesus is revealed to believers (Jn 14:21b). 

The Teacher – John 14:22-26

• Q. Do you like it when people ask questions? Why is it it important to ask questions?
  
  • Discuss. 
  • If you don’t know, ask. 
  • When you ask you are more likely to understand or put the answer into practice.
  • Notice how the disciples likely still believed that Jesus wanted to set up an earthly kingdom, so they were confused as to what Jesus was saying.
• Q. Interestingly the word for “home” in Jn 14:23 is the same word used for “rooms” or “mansions” in Jn 14:2. How is the lesson from last week and our lesson today connected? 
  
  • Give time to respond.
  • The verses today and the verses we discussed last week were all given to prepare and encourage the disciples. 
  • Apparently the comfort of a future home with God in heaven was not able to calm their concerns.
  • Believers will always be in the presence of God. The Holy Spirit dwelling within them on earth and the believers dwelling with God in heaven.
• Q. Read John 14:23, “which comes first, loving Jesus or keeping His word?” 
  
  • Discuss
  • One’s love for God results in obeying His word. 
  • Our obedience flows out of the great love that the Father has for us (1 Jn 4:10-11). 
• Q. Who in here is a note taker? Why do you take notes? 
  
  • Discuss
• Q. Have you ever looked at your own handwritten notes and had trouble reading or understanding them? 
  
  • I know I have
• Q. How does the Holy Spirit help us in reading and obeying God’s Word? 
  
  • Discuss 
  • As we read God’s word the Holy Spirit helps us understand God’s truths (cf 1 Cor 2:12). 
  • The Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s word. One aspect of that may also be convicting us by reminding us what God says on the subject.

The Peace – John 14:27-29

• Q. How do you define peace? 
  
  • Give time to answer
• Q. What’s the difference between peace and a lack of conflict? 
  
  • Discuss
  • Think of World War I. While an armistice was reached on November 11, 1918 it did not bring lasting peace. 
• Q. What is the biblical definition of peace? 
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • Here Jesus says, “My peace.” Thus, we have to look to Him for the example of peace. Jesus had peace even in the midst of great suffering and turmoil as He went to the cross. 
  • Hence, biblical peace doesn’t mean an absence of difficulties. Rather, biblical peace is the supernatural gift of confidence in God and obedience no matter the circumstances (cf Phil 4:7). 
  • The reason the disciples needed the peace of Christ was because they were troubled or fearful.
• Q. What stops us from having the peace of God in our lives?
  
  • Discuss. 
  • A lack of faith in the midst of our circumstances. 
  • Notice how Jesus said they would rejoice that He is going to the Father. The disciples were looking at Jesus’ departure with the wrong perspective and they did not have peace about it. 
  • The same can be said for us. When we align our perspective to the word of God and obey His word, the peace of God comes. Not because the challenges have been removed but because we understand that He is in control no matter what.