Take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16bq)

John 16:16-33

Key Verse 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

1.                   [16-19] Until now, what has been the main topic of Jesus’ teaching (7-15) and why (5-6)? What does Jesus say to them now (16)? What can the disciples not understand (17-18; Cf. NAS)? And why (Ref. 13:33; 16:25; Luke 9:43-45)?

2.                   [20-24] According to Jesus’ answer, what will the disciples suffer from at this time of little while (20a, 22a)?  How are they to understand and to handle it (21, 22b)? After “a little while”, what will God do and what can the disciples do (23-24)?  Discuss its meaning and implication of the time ‘little while’ for the disciples (Cf. John 3:6; Mark 13:8, 30; Ref. Isa 26:16-21).

3.                   [25-28] At this time why does Jesus speak figuratively (25a)? When would he speak plainly (25b)? What will characterize that day? (26-27a; Ref 14:20; 17:21)? Discuss the significance that they believed that Jesus was from God (27b-28).

4.                   [29-31] What did the disciple come to be convinced about Jesus (29-30)? What was Jesus’ response to their confession of faith (31)?

5.                   [32-33] What time was imminent (32a; Cf. 22a)? How was it related to the time of ‘a little while’ when they could not see Jesus (32b; Ref 16-22)?  What would these teachings give them (33a)? And how or why (33b; Ref. 15:22-25)? 

6.                   Discuss about the time of ‘a little while’ when they could not see Jesus: what it is (21a; Ref 15:16-25), what was expected (20, 22a, 32a) and what would carry them through this time (30, 33).