John [chapter 16]

Dear Bethany family,
I can't believe it is already midweek Wednesday! Time flies by - it seemed like just yesterday was Sunday. Today, Joy started her first day of kindergarten. Many of our college will matriculate back into their classes next week. Of course, those who have daily jobs continue to press on with their work. Life is always in motion onward, and at many times be overwhelming. What an occasion to take heart(!), as Jesus would say. The world seems overwhelming at times, but we can take heart in the One who overwhelms the world - Jesus Christ. You are always welcomed to come and be overwhelmed and overcome by the One who holds us together. Bless you!

*Every Wednesday @ Ezra Chapel, start-time 7:15pm. ​*Every Wednesday from 7:15pm to 8:30pm at Ezra Chapel, come walk with us into the Gospel According to John. Reading through verse-by-verse with reflection. Let's all grow as people of God in the Word of God! Walk into the Word, Walk out to your world! Amen!

​Wednesday Walk into the Word
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN 요한복음:
Take Heart, I Have Overcome the World 담대하라 내가 세상을 이기였노라 [chapter 16]
OVERCOME FALLING AWAY (16:1-4)
(Question #1) These next two chapters 16-17 are the final teachings of Jesus that began on the very same night around the table with His disciples, eating the last meal back in chapter 13. Jesus had just finished teaching on the abiding connection we must all have in His words and love personified through the vine and branch. Jesus warned that those who abide in Him will face rejection from the world, as He also was rejected without cause. But He promises the Spirit of truth to help them bear witness and stay faithful. Overall, why was Jesus teaching these things (verse 1-2)?
[*REFLECT #1a] Jesus warned of coming opposition because He did not want His disciples to be surprised and fall away. How is the Lord giving teachings and warnings to you to keep you from surprise or falling away?
[*REFLECT #1b] Saul (Paul) of Tarsus, before his conversion, is an example of someone who mistakenly thought killing Christians was an act of offering service to God. When was a time you mistakenly thought your words and works were an act of offering service to God, when in reality it was defying God and destroying others around you?
[*REFLECT #1c] Jesus foretold that some of the disciples will be killed. Why will their persecutors do this (verse 3)?
[*REFLECT #1d] Do you know the Father God and Jesus Christ His Son? What should it be producing in you?
[*REFLECT #1e] Why did Jesus foretell the hour of this incredible persecution (verse 4)?
[*REFLECT #1f] What are you remembering that Jesus told you, that helps you stay faithful over faithless?
OVERCOME SORROW (16:5-24)
(Question #2) You can imagine by now the disciples are shaken and in sorrow at the prospect of their own death for following Jesus. Although both Peter (13:36) and Thomas (14:5) had already asked a similar question, why does Jesus say none of them had asked, “Where are you going” to Him (verse 5)?
[*REFLECT #2a] There is a big difference between the words of a question, and the heart of a question. Peter and Thomas may have already asked where Jesus was going, but it was directed at their own selfish interests (what will happen to us, then?) rather than to Jesus’ true destination (what will happen to you, Jesus?). How have our questions to God been directed to our self-centered needs over God-centered truth?  
[*REFLECT #2b] Jesus is departing. The disciples are filled with sorrow, yet it was to their advantage that Jesus would go away. What was the advantage (verse 6-7)?
[*REFLECT #2c] In our lives, unless we let go of one season, we won’t be able to move on to the next season. How have you been holding on to what needs to depart, keeping you from receiving more from what is to come? Is the best yet to come?
[*REFLECT #2d] The incredible gift of the Helper awaits them. What will He do when He arrives (verse 8-11)?
[*REFLECT #2e] How has the Helper – the Spirit of truth – brought gentle but sharp conviction of truth in your life?
[*REFLECT #2f] When the Spirit of truth arrives, what will He do (verse 12-15)?
[*REFLECT #2g] What did Jesus mean by saying, “A little while, and you will see me no longer, and again a little while, and you will see me” (verse 16-22)?
[*REFLECT #2h] Waiting often seems like eternity. Yet how is Jesus putting an enduring hope of “a little while” in you?
[*REFLECT #2i] In that day when we see Jesus again, we will be so overcome with joy that we will ask nothing from Him. But now as we live in between the times, what will Jesus do to all who ask the Father in His name (verse 23)? What will be full once we do (verse 24)?
OVERCOME THE WORLD (16:25-33)
(Question #3) As spiritual truth cannot be understood in plain words, Jesus used figures of speech. But in that day when we see Jesus again at His return, there will be no need for that. In that time of restored joy and access to Jesus, will Jesus need to speak on our behalf (verse 25-26)?
[*REFLECT #3a] How is Jesus giving you joyful confidence to come to the Father God directly today?
[*REFLECT #3b] Because we have loved Jesus and believed that He came from the Father, what does the Father God Himself do (verse 27)? Where did Jesus come from, come into, and now leaving to be with (verse 28)?
[*REFLECT #3c] Often, we think of an angry Father God, not persuaded to be gracious. Yet without violating His righteous anger, how has the Father God Himself loved you?
[*REFLECT #3d] All the disciple will scatter and betray Jesus. Yet, why does Jesus foretell this to them (verse 29-33)?