John 15:18-16:4 | Bible Study Questions

What does John mean by "the world" in John 15:18-19?
1. Do you think it's possible to be both "religious" and also part of "the world"? What might that look like?
2. What does it mean to be "not of the world"? (John 15:19)
What is the reason that the world hates Jesus' disciples and will persecute them? (John 15:21)
1. Why do you think the name of Jesus (his character, personal qualities, priorities) is so offensive to the world?
Jesus says something interesting in John 15:22 that "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin...". He also says something similar in verse 24.
1. What do you think Jesus is saying here? (that they would not have been guilty of sin)
  1. In John 3:16, Jesus made it clear that the world needed to be rescued. Jesus certainly isn't saying that if he hadn't come that they wouldn't be guilty of original sin.
2. Read 2 Corinthians 2:15-17. How might this help in understanding the kind of greater guilt that Jesus is talking about?
How is it possible that the disciples will stand up to the kind of opposition and pressure Jesus has described?
1. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in John 15:26-27?
2. What do these verses teach us about bearing witness or "testifying" in difficult situations?
What is the reason that Jesus has written all of these things in John 15:18-16:4? (see John 16:1,4)
1. This is the greatest danger that the disciples will face. How will remembering what he's told them keep them from falling away?

Why might it be dangerous to teach that discipleship is only ever positive? or easy?
1. Why is Jesus worth following even though it means persecution and the hatred of the world?
2. What does this mean for us as we share the gospel with others?
3. Why should we be clear about the cost of following Jesus?
What kind of persecution or hatred do people face today for following Jesus?
1. Have you ever experienced these things personally? If so what did it look like?
2. How do you think you can rely on the Spirit in times like this to help give testimony to Jesus?
Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
Sing It is Well to God and to one another.

What does John mean by "the world" in John 15:18-19?
1. Do you think it's possible to be both "religious" and also part of "the world"? What might that look like?
2. What does it mean to be "not of the world"? (John 15:19)
What is the reason that the world hates Jesus' disciples and will persecute them? (John 15:21)
1. Why do you think the name of Jesus (his character, personal qualities, priorities) is so offensive to the world?
Jesus says something interesting in John 15:22 that "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin...". He also says something similar in verse 24.
1. What do you think Jesus is saying here? (that they would not have been guilty of sin)
  1. In John 3:16, Jesus made it clear that the world needed to be rescued. Jesus certainly isn't saying that if he hadn't come that they wouldn't be guilty of original sin.
2. Read 2 Corinthians 2:15-17. How might this help in understanding the kind of greater guilt that Jesus is talking about?
How is it possible that the disciples will stand up to the kind of opposition and pressure Jesus has described?
1. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in John 15:26-27?
2. What do these verses teach us about bearing witness or "testifying" in difficult situations?
What is the reason that Jesus has written all of these things in John 15:18-16:4? (see John 16:1,4)
1. This is the greatest danger that the disciples will face. How will remembering what he's told them keep them from falling away?

Why might it be dangerous to teach that discipleship is only ever positive? or easy?
1. Why is Jesus worth following even though it means persecution and the hatred of the world?
2. What does this mean for us as we share the gospel with others?
3. Why should we be clear about the cost of following Jesus?
What kind of persecution or hatred do people face today for following Jesus?
1. Have you ever experienced these things personally? If so what did it look like?
2. How do you think you can rely on the Spirit in times like this to help give testimony to Jesus?
Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
Sing It is Well to God and to one another.