Explore The New TestamentSample

SAY WHAT? (What is the passage saying?)

• Jesus warns his disciples about persecution they will face because they believe in him.
• He then talks about the Holy Spirit (which is God's presence, at work in our world) and teaches them several roles the Holy Spirit plays:
  • He will convict the world about sin.
  • He will convict the world about righteousness. (That Jesus is the only way to be right with God.)
  • He will convict the world about judgment. (People will be judged if they refuse Jesus.)
  • He will guide them into all truth. (The Holy Spirit helps people to understand and communicate God's truth.)
  • He will glorify Jesus. (The Spirit points people to Jesus.)
• Jesus also talks about his coming death and resurrection which his disciples have trouble understanding, but finally claim to get it.
• Jesus knows that his time of teaching his disciples is done, as he is about to be arrested and then crucified. He ends with these encouraging words, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

SO WHAT? (What are the underlying principles?)

• The Christian life is not about a self-help program. It's God loving us despite us, offering to save and give us a relationship with him despite us, and then giving us his Holy Spirit so we can experience change and truly live for him. You cannot live the Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit. God's supernatural power is required for you to live a godly life. The Holy Spirit will play his part in your life IF you invite him to, and stay connected to him on a daily basis.
• Jesus' closing words in this chapter are a great encouragement to those who follow Jesus. Sometimes trouble comes, but we can always take heart because Jesus has overcome the world.

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

• When you think about living for God, does your attitude tend to be one of clenching your fists and gritting your teeth and "I'll try harder" and "I can do this!"? Or do you realize that you can't do this, and that your role is primarily to stay connected to God and allow his Spirit to work in you so that you have a strength not your own? If you really took that second approach this week, what would it look like? How would your life look different from last week?