Going Deeper… (John 16:25-33) - Ascension Presbyterian Church

Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (John 16:25-33), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

[27] Jesus said, “The Father loves you, because you have loved me…” John wrote in another place, “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son…” (1 John 4:10). So, does the Father love us and send his Son in spite of our lack of love to him, or does he love us because of our love for the Son he has sent, or…? How do we reconcile these verses? Do you assume it is possible to reconcile all “apparent contradictions” in the Scriptures, or do you think this sort of thing indicates that the Scriptures are imperfect?

[28] This verse is fantastically good news, and reveals the structure of the Gospel. Nothing is more significant than what this verse summarizes. Why?

[25, 29-32a] Jesus insists that his disciples do not yet understand everything he has to say to them, but they insist they do. Do you understand everything Jesus says, everything God says in the Scriptures? Is it okay not to understand everything? How much do you need to be able to understand—how good does your theology need to be—in order to be saved?

[32b-33] (Read Isaiah 53 and Zechariah 13:7-9.) Jesus trusted that the Father was with him, even in his greatest tribulation at the cross—when God’s judgment fell on him. Ultimately, the cross was an act of the love of the Triune God. Believing this, Jesus overcame the world of unbelief. Looking to Christ, is there anything that could happen to you that would cause you to disbelieve God’s goodness, to doubt that the Father is with you and loves you?