Explore The New TestamentSample

SAY WHAT? (What is the passage saying?)

• Jesus teaches, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This is very exclusive, and may be hard for some to swallow in our pluralistic culture, but it is true.
• Jesus says, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." He and God are the same. Jesus is God come to earth; God in the flesh.
• Jesus tells us, “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father” (verse 12). Jesus taught people about God, healed miraculously, and perfectly followed God’s will. He's saying here that we can do all these things too. We can't, in our own power, but we can, in God's power. God's Holy Spirit (talked about later in this chapter) lives inside Jesus’ followers and enables them to know and do the will of God.
• Jesus says, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." The "in my name" doesn't just mean we tack Jesus' name onto the end of our prayers. It means we are to align our will with God's will. When we are seeking God's will, God will give us what we ask for!
• Jesus teaches, “If you love me, you will obey what I command." If you love God, you will obey God. If you don't obey God, it's a love issue. We may make other excuses, but Jesus says that disobedience reveals our hearts and our true loves.
• Jesus assures us, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you.” Jesus promises to send the Spirit of God to live in us and to counsel us and to teach us what we need to know to live for God. 

SO WHAT? (What are the underlying principles?)

• Because Jesus is the only way to God everyone needs to know Jesus. We have the responsibility, the honor, of helping everyone to know Jesus.
• Jesus says that we will do even greater things. Is that the kind of life you're living? If you truly believe in and follow Jesus, your life has supernatural power and you should be able to do things you cannot do.
• If we love God we will obey what He commands. If you find yourself disobeying God; the issue is about your love for God.

NOW WHAT? (How will you personally apply this passage?)

• Are you trying to help everyone know Jesus? Everyone is a lot of people, so how about this: Do you have a few friends you're trying to help know Jesus? How could you better show them Jesus through the way you live your life? How could you start a spiritual conversation with them? When will you invite them to church with you?
• Where are you struggling to obey God? How do you see this as a love issue? Instead of just trying harder to obey, how could you concentrate your efforts more on growing your love for God? The Bible says "we love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). How might focusing on God's love for you help grow your love for Him?