Forewarned To Be Forearmed

FOREWARNED TO BE FOREARMED (John 16:1-7)

I. The Disciples of Jesus have been Forewarned (vv. 1-3) A. The _________________________ for the warning (v. 1) [Jn. 15:18-27; 13:18-19] B. The _________________________ of the warning (v. 2) [Jn. 9:22; Acts 4:1-3; 5:18; 7:54-58; 9:1-2; 15-16; 2 Cor. 11:23-27] C. The _____________________ behind the warning (v. 3) [John 8:19; Rev. 12]

II. The Disciples of Jesus have been Faithfully Challenged (vv. 4-6) A. Don’t be surprised when _______________ come (v. 4) [1 Pet. 4:12; Matt. 5:10-12; 10:16-19] B. Don’t be surprised that Jesus is __________________ to the Father (v. 5) [Jn. 14:12, 28-29] C. Don’t be surprised at the _________________ you feel (v. 6) [Jn. 14.1; 16:22]

III. The Disciples of Jesus have been Fully Armed (v. 7) A. They have been given the __________________ (v. 7a) [Jn. 14:6; 16:33] B. They have been given the ________________________ (v. 7b) [Rom. 8:28-29; Jn. 15:11] C. They will be given the ______________________ (v. 7c) [Jn. 14:16; 15:26] TAKE HOME: • How does the fact that Jesus forewarns you of difficulty prepare you for persecution? • Why are we still surprised by the trials that come into our lives? • What armor provided by God best equips you for the battle?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” These questions are designed to help you apply today’s message to your life. We encourage you to thoughtfully answer these questions and discuss your answers with others. For more information about joining a Grow Group that uses these questions as the basis for weekly discussion, prayer, and accountability, please call the church office at (936) 582-1977.

1. Read John 16:1. What was Jesus warning the disciples about? Why was He warning them? What effect did Jesus want this warning to have? (Jn. 15:18-27; 13:18-19) 2. Read John 16:

2. What exactly did Jesus warn the disciples of in this verse? Did these things come true? (Jn. 9:22; Acts 4:1-3; 5:18; 7:54-58; 9:1-2; 15-16; 2 Cor. 11:23-27)

3. Read John 16:3. Why did those who persecuted Christians do the things that they did? Skim through Revelation 12 and discuss how this applies to John 16:1-3.

4. Read John 16:4. Should difficulties or persecutions ever be a surprise? (1 Pet. 4:12; Matt. 5:10-12; 10:16-19) Then why do you believe we as Christians are often caught off guard?

5. Read John 16:5-6. What is going on in these two verses? How can John 14:1, 12; 28-29; and 16:22 help us understand it better?

6. Read John 16:7. With what have the disciples been armed with? (Jn. 14:6; 16:33) How is it an advantage that Jesus go away? Who is the Helper and exactly what does He do? (Jn. 14:16; 15:26)

7. Read the take home questions. Which one challenges you or encourages you the most? Why? Discuss any persecution you have faced or are facing with the group. How can you encourage one another through this?

“No Christian is in a healthy state of mind who is not prepared for trouble and persecution. He that expects to cross the troubled waters of this world, and to reach heaven with wind and tide always in his favor, knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts On John