Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (John 15:18 – 16:4a), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [15:18] This is pretty strong language. Do people admit that they “hate” Jesus? Have you seen the world’s “hate” for the church, or would you characterize the opposition more mildly? What might bring out the world’s “hate”?

• [15:19] Read Luke 6:22-23, 26. Do you understand why Jesus says you would be “blessed” (“happy”) when people hate you on his account, or why you should be miserable if everyone liked you?

• [15:21; 16:3] Why are Christians persecuted, according to Jesus? Why are Christians persecuted, according to others in the world? Who is right? Why does it matter?

• [15:27] How can we bear witness (Greek: martyreo) to Jesus in suffering persecution without having a martyr complex?

• [16:1-4] For our association with and testimony to Jesus we might face death. Jesus doesn’t say we should be overly concerned with that. What does concern him?