GROUP GUIDE
Leading a group through these questions? Here’s a simple guide for 1.5-2 hour GROUP meeting.
Welcome and Opening Prayer. (5 minutes)
Read the passage aloud. (5 minutes)
Guide the group through the questions. (30-60 minutes)
Take time to share prayer requests and pray for each other. (15-30 minutes)
Discussion
What stands out to you from this passage? How does this passage most challenge or encourage you?
A pretty drastic shift in the emphasis of Jesus’ teaching occurs midway through John chapter 15. Read John 15:1-27. What change of theme takes place between v. 17 and v. 18 of this chapter?
In today’s passage, Jesus quotes Psalm 35:19. Read Psalm 35. What elements of David’s situation continue to be true for Jesus and his disciples in the New Testament? How does David’s description of his persecution align with what Jesus is saying to his disciples in verses 15-25 of John 15?
Jesus tells his disciples that they will be hated because of their association with him. Where have you personally experienced persecution or ‘hatred by association’ in your life of following Christ? What response has Jesus led you to have in that situation?
How aware are you of places in our world where the persecution and destruction of Christians is a reality? Do you feel connected to those brothers and sisters in Christ who are suffering, or do you feel the ‘disconnect of distance’? How does Jesus speak to this disconnect throughout John chapter 15?
Jesus says that the Spirit of Truth will lead us into all truth. How is the Holy Spirit revealing the truth of the Gospel to you today?
Jesus is also certain that the Holy Spirit and the saints of God will testify of him to the world. How is the Holy Spirit working in you to bear witness to Christ? Where do you sense his nudging and his directing in you toward sharing your testimony with others?
How do you want to respond to this passage in your daily life?
PRAYER
How can we pray for you as a group?
Next week: John 16:16-33
