John 16:16-24 | Bible Study Questions
Observation
What does it say?
- Read John 16:16-24.
- What are some repeated words or ideas that you notice?
- What illustration(s) does Jesus use?
- What promises does Jesus make? (look for the word "will")
- Do you see any commands in this passage? What are they?
- Are there any words you need to define before moving to interpretation?
INTERPRETATION
What does it mean?
- There is a lot of repetition in verses 16-19. What is it that the disciples are confused about? (John 16:18)
- Has Jesus talked about leaving for "a little while" before? (Read John 13:33 and 14:13)
- Why do you think that the disciples do not know what he's talking about?
- What do you think Jesus is referring to?
- Jesus knows that they want to ask him about what he means by saying "a little while". How does Jesus answer the questions?
- Does Jesus say how long "a little while" is?
- Why do you think he answers this way?
- Jesus speaks about how in that day, no one will take the disciples' joy away.
- How do you see this in the disciples lives and attitudes in the book of Acts?
- Read 2 Corinthians 6:3-10. How do you see this joy in Paul's ministry?
APPLICATION
How should it change us?
- The disciples didn't understand Jesus' words, and they were not ashamed to say "we don't understand" or to ask Jesus.
- What do you do when you don't understand something in God's word?
- We shouldn't be discouraged by what we do not understand. How does it comfort you that Jesus already knows our questions before we ask?
- Who (or where) can you go to find help and answers to your questions?
- How should future joy change the way that Christians live today?
- Are there any aspects of your life that you don't sense joy in God's work?
- How might it be that what makes you miserable today will increase your joy on a future day? How might God be using it?
- Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
- Sing Amazing Grace to God and to one another.
Some questions were written with the help of "John 13-21 For You", by Josh Moody.
Print Bible Study
John 16:16-24 | Bible Study Questions
Observation
What does it say?
- Read John 16:16-24.
- What are some repeated words or ideas that you notice?
- What illustration(s) does Jesus use?
- What promises does Jesus make? (look for the word "will")
- Do you see any commands in this passage? What are they?
- Are there any words you need to define before moving to interpretation?
INTERPRETATION
What does it mean?
- There is a lot of repetition in verses 16-19. What is it that the disciples are confused about? (John 16:18)
- Has Jesus talked about leaving for "a little while" before? (Read John 13:33 and 14:13)
- Why do you think that the disciples do not know what he's talking about?
- What do you think Jesus is referring to?
- Jesus knows that they want to ask him about what he means by saying "a little while". How does Jesus answer the questions?
- Does Jesus say how long "a little while" is?
- Why do you think he answers this way?
- Jesus speaks about how in that day, no one will take the disciples' joy away.
- How do you see this in the disciples lives and attitudes in the book of Acts?
- Read 2 Corinthians 6:3-10. How do you see this joy in Paul's ministry?
APPLICATION
How should it change us?
- The disciples didn't understand Jesus' words, and they were not ashamed to say "we don't understand" or to ask Jesus.
- What do you do when you don't understand something in God's word?
- We shouldn't be discouraged by what we do not understand. How does it comfort you that Jesus already knows our questions before we ask?
- Who (or where) can you go to find help and answers to your questions?
- How should future joy change the way that Christians live today?
- Are there any aspects of your life that you don't sense joy in God's work?
- How might it be that what makes you miserable today will increase your joy on a future day? How might God be using it?
- Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
- Sing Amazing Grace to God and to one another.