Bible study on John 16.12-15

This study can be used by a small family/household group, or by an online group, or – sometimes with a little adaptation – by an individual.

See our Guidelines for a weekly Bible study

Begin with an opening prayer

Loving God, as we gather in this moment,
we celebrate your welcome and presence.
Speak to us; challenge us; reassure us.
Take what we offer in praise and study,
that your name may be glorified now and for ever.
Amen.

Read the passage

Consider different ways to read the text. For example, hearing it in more than one version of the Bible.

In an online group, you could share parts between those present, or use/adapt this week’s Share the Word suggestion: Use the Jump to this week's menu on the right to go to Share the Word and scroll down to find the Gospel reading.

Explore and respond to the text

Start by reading the Bible notes below. You may want to read them more than once, or pause after each paragraph to reflect on what you have read.

Bible notes

In John’s Gospel, Jesus starts to talk about ‘going away’ as early as 7.33. By the time we reach his farewell words to the disciples in chapters 13 to 17, it’s clear what he means. His impending execution will take him from the disciples without leaving them desolate (14.1ff). He promises to be with them in a new way through the coming of the Holy Spirit.

This week’s short reading contains the last in the series of the ‘Paraclete’ (often translated as ‘advocate’) sayings (14.15-17; 14.25-27; 15.26-27; 16.7-11; 16.13-15). ‘The Spirit of truth’, which occurs in other contemporary Jewish writings, underlines the link with Jesus as the truth (1.17; 8.32, 45; 14.6; 18.38). Like him, the Spirit is sent by God to teach God’s truth (14.26). This can only be a gradual, one day at a time process. ‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now’ (v.12), such is the disciples’ understandable anxiety over Jesus’ departure.

The Spirit as teacher and guide will enable Jesus’ disciples to understand what he means when he calls them to ‘love one another as I have loved you’ (13.34; 15.12). Those to whom the evangelist writes, interpret Jesus’ call as being in the ‘now’ of the hostile opposition they experience, many years later, from local synagogues determined to exclude them from the family of faith (15.18-16.3). Linking each new generation of Jesus’ followers is the Holy Spirit, the continuing presence of Jesus in the church’s everyday experience, and the assurance of his enduring love, joy, peace and hope (15.9-11; 16.20-22; 16.33).

The Gospel of John provides further evidence of Christians using the language of Father, Son and Holy Spirit to tell their story, with its power to speak of God’s sacrificial, healing love in a world so often fed by hostility and violence.

John Parr and Hannah Currin discuss the importance
of celebrating Trinity Sunday, identifying your neighbour
and the restfulness (or not) of prayer

Reflection

Spend a few moments thinking about what stands out for you from the Bible reading. This idea may help.

During the various lockdowns and ‘levels’ during the pandemic, changes to the rules often took people by surprise. Many people had to make changes to their plans, often at the last minute. Performances were postponed and rearranged. Weddings ended up completely changed – on different dates, at different venues, with different guest lists. We are used to making plans and looking forward to future events, but we learnt how fragile those plans can be. And perhaps it caused us to ponder what is truly important. Is it the past that has happened? Is it the future that might be? Or is the most important thing the now?

Questions for reflection

You may wish to use these questions and the picture to help you think about or discuss issues arising from this week’s Bible passage.

How does this photo show that immediate action is needed?
What is going on in your own faith journey right now?
What can we do right now with the gifts and knowledge that we have to further God’s Kingdom (rather than wait)?

A simple worship activity

Make an origami butterfly

To show how sometimes, truth is not obvious straightaway.

You will need: 8.5cm paper squares.

Give everyone a paper square. Ask if people can guess what they are about to do with these squares. Accept all answers – don’t give any hints about what is right or wrong. Say that it will become apparent, but sometimes it takes a while for the full picture to become clear.
Make butterflies giving one instruction at a time – the full instructions are here.
When the butterflies are made, you could comment that, although Jesus promises to be with us always, sometimes his truth takes time to become apparent to us.

Use the Jump to this week's menu on the right to go to more activities in Explore and respond.

Prayer

Adapt to your local context.

A prayer of adoration

Father God, you are full of joy and love.
You delight in the world you created.
What love you have for us, all created in your image.
We love you and adore you.
What delight you have in the Son,
who is all that you are and who you sent in love
in order that we may be in relationship with you.
We adore you and glorify your name.
What joy and pleasure you had in sending your Holy Spirit
to guide us in all truth and make you known to us.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we give you all glory.
Amen.

Use the Jump to this week's menu on the right to find more prayers, including up-to-date intercessions.

A prayer to end the Bible study

Be in our homes that we may know your peace.
Be in our hearts that we know your love.
Be in our lives that we may take the challenges you present, day by day.
Alleluia! Amen. 