The Gospel of John: Session 10 (Spring 2021)

Session 10 – Small Group Study Guide

Download: Word | Download: PDF

Word: How this truth should be understood

1. According to verse 14, why can we expect to be hated by the world?
2. Think about some of the other ideas and petitions that Jesus has mentioned so far in his prayer in John 17. How do they relate to the purpose of mission and witnessing to the world?

Worship: How this truth affects your heart

1. Verse 14 teaches us that as believers, we can expect the world to hate us because we “are not of the world, just as [Christ is] not of the world.” What is your reaction to that reality and why?

2. The specific reason why the world hates us should be because we believe and live out God’s Word. 1 Peter 2:20 and 3:17 differentiate between suffering for doing good (e.g. not compromising in our allegiance to Christ) and suffering for doing evil (e.g. being mean or unkind). How have you seen this play out in your own life?

3. In verse 15, Jesus asks the Father not to take his disciples out of the world, but “that you keep them from the evil one.” As Pastor Kim mentioned, oftentimes Satan operates in the subtle ways that draw us away from God rather than drive us to Him. For example, Eph 4:26-27 says that our unrighteous anger is a foothold for the devil. What are some of these more subtle battlegrounds against the evil one in your life?

Work: How this truth works out in your life

1. Take a look at the persecution in the world that you see today or in your own life. How might you respond with lament, love, and by being a light?
2. What are some specific truths/passages that give you hope as you are in the world and remind you of your mission?
3. Spend a few minutes praying for the saints around the world who are being persecuted. You can use the following resource from The Gospel Coalition to help guide you. Feel free to spend some time in your prayer groups doing this as well:

   https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/40-Days-of-Payer-Booklet-1.pdf

Sharing and Prayer

1. The theme of our study in John is “to awaken and advance faith.” As you think about this season, what is one area in which you’d like to grow in living out your faith? Write this down and prepare to follow-up and track God’s work in our future sessions!
2. What are some ways that you’d like to apply what you just learned to that one area you’d like to grow in living out your faith?
3. Share other prayer requests.