A Cautionary Tale | John 15:18–25

The Gospel of John is a unique and powerful account of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Written by John, one of Jesus' closest disciples, this gospel presents a deep and thoughtful perspective on the person and work of Jesus. Unlike the other three gospels, which are known as the Synoptic Gospels and focus on Jesus' actions and teachings, John's gospel emphasizes the spiritual and theological significance of Jesus' life and ministry. For this series I will write some of the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | A Cautionary Tale  | John 15:18–25

Growing up many of us were told ‘cautionary tales’. This could have been not to eat watermelon seeds, swallow bubble gum, or to go outside with wet hair. For the last couple of weeks, in the Gospel of John, we’ve seen this reoccurring theme of love. Jesus instructed them to keep His commands as a way to show their love for Jesus. Today we have a turn in our passage. Today Jesus is going to tell them that the world is going to hate them. It’s a cautionary tale but one that will come true. Jesus is preparing for them for what will happen to them for following Him. Jesus wants them to know that those who follow Him will endure persecution and be hated.

1) Think of some of the cautionary tales you were told as a kid. It might have been, about food, facial features, swimming, what happens with food, or something else. Share one of your favorites from your childhood with the group. 

2) Read John 15:18-19. Jesus told the disciples they would be hated by the world for two reasons: They are not of the world and They identify with Jesus. As someone who identifies with Jesus do you feel like the world hates you for following Jesus? 

3) Think historically for this question: Much of Christianity has experienced persecution for following Jesus. Share some things that seem like persecution and then share things that are really examples of persecution. 

4) Have everyone in the group take out their phone and do some quick research on global statistics for persecution and martyrdom against Christians. What does the research data show about persecution that is happening right now? Thinking of these statistics: what surprises you most and what saddens you the most? 

5) Read John 15:20-25. Jesus was hated by the world for His words and His works. What are the works of Jesus that are so off-putting to those in the world? What do we like the least about our sin being brought into the light? 

6) Most of the American church has yet to experience persecution yet. When you think of this passage, what are you most fearful about if persecution does come to the American church? How do you think you will respond when it comes? 

7) Neal used an illustration of a ladder to explain how we try to straddle the things of the world while walking with Jesus. What are some things of the world that you want to let go of so you can cling more to Jesus this year? 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 

Remain | John 15:1–17

The Gospel of John is a unique and powerful account of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Written by John, one of Jesus' closest disciples, this gospel presents a deep and thoughtful perspective on the person and work of Jesus. Unlike the other three gospels, which are known as the Synoptic Gospels and focus on Jesus' actions and teachings, John's gospel emphasizes the spiritual and theological significance of Jesus' life and ministry. For this series I will write some of the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | Remain  | John 15:1–17

Last week we finished John 14 and talked about evidence of our love for God. This week we remain in the Upper Room discourse from Jesus to His disciples. Our entire teaching is from Jesus. In our passage Jesus gives us another “I am” statement. Jesus says, “I am the true vine…” Most of us don't think of Jesus as a vine but the illustration is that we need to be connected to the vine. In a culture who thought with an agriculture mindset this was normal to them. For many of us we can relate to this because of all the agriculture around us. In our passage we will talk about remaining in Jesus and what pruning in our lives looks like. 

1) The 30-day minimalism game was invented by Ryan Nicodemus and Joshua Fields Millburn. They developed this game as a great way to jump-start the decluttering journey. Do you have parts of your house or life you’d like to declutter? 

2) In John 15:1 we read another “I am” statement from Jesus. This is the last “I am” statement Jesus makes. Read John 6:35, 8:12, 10:7, 11:25, and 14:6. What do you learn about the character and nature of Jesus from these different statements? 

3) Jesus says that God prunes away the parts of our life that do not bear fruit so we can be more fruitful for the Kingdom (read John 15:1-4). What are some areas of your life where you’d like Jesus to prune away so you can be more fruitful? 

4) Read John 15:5-8. The passage is repetitive about remaining in Jesus. Our culture isn’t great at being patient and sticking things through. Sometimes we just want to give up or quit. What have you learned about the value of not quitting but remaining? 

5) Jesus says that we can ask for whatever we want and it will be done for us (see John 15:7-8). Is Jesus giving us permission to ask for anything or is His statement a truth for those who are genuinely seeking to build the Kingdom? Could this statement be more about ministry than personal gain?  

6) Jesus teaches us that an outcome of remaining in Him is that we bear fruit. What does it look like for a Christian to bear fruit? Can you think of places in your life where you’re bearing fruit and places in your life that are fruitless? 

7) In John 13-15 we’ve seen a repetition on love (read John 13:34-35, 14:15, 23-24, and 15:13-17. Take some time as a group to read these verses and discuss what it looks like to a be a community of people who love others well. 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus.