This Week:

The stunt teams in movies know how getting the right shot can mean putting themselves into challenging situations over and over. This week, we'll hear Jesus' words to his disciples as he prepared them for a future without his physical presence. Jesus' words can help us stay focused on what's important by reminding us that with God, difficult moments can help our character grow.

Verses:

John 15:16–22

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

The Hatred of the World

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin,[a] but now they have no excuse for their sin.

Questions:

1. Why do you think it's difficult to believe God is present when you are in a challenging circumstance?
2. How does knowing difficulties defined Jesus' life help you process the challenges you have had to face?
3. How do you think praying honestly about what you are facing might change your perspective as you are experiencing difficulty?
4. Read Romans 8:28. What do you think about the idea that God can make good out of any situation? What would it look like for you to ask God to make good come out of a difficult situation you recently faced?