OBJECTIVE:

• John 15:18-27

EXPLORE:

(These are different commentary notes that can be used to explain the context to our students. Feel free to use your own.)

Context / Background / History

• Where it fits: This passage is part of Jesus’ Farewell 
• (John 13–17). It’s the night of the Last Supper, just before His arrest.
• Tone: Jesus is preparing His disciples for His departure, giving them instructions and encouragement for life without His physical presence.
• Helper/Advocate (Holy Spirit): At that time, the Spirit had not yet been poured out as in Acts 2, so this promise was future oriented. It assured them they wouldn’t be left alone.

Following Jesus can be HARD

Jesus is talking with his disciples, and in this discussion, he talks about how the world does not like it when we follow God “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally, they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you” (v.18-20) People in this world have their own opinions, they root for their own ideas and things, but as followers of Jesus, we are criticised more than usual. But that doesn’t mean we’re alone!

Jesus is with US

Jesus has gone through what we are going through and more! He died on the cross for what he believed in, and even still endured till the end. For example, we have tons of sports teams we root for, and when someone from the opposing team tries to tell us that our team stinks, we want to fight back. That’s how we are with Jesus, because we believe that he died and rose again to save us from our sins, so now we have to stand up for that belief! The awesome thing about it is that Jesus helps us through that and even sent an even closer helper.

We have a HELPER

“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry” (v.26-27)

Following the resurrection of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was sent down to help us. Almost like when you have a tutor for a class you struggle in, but yet the Holy Spirit dwells within you, and for the rest of your life! He gives help when we need it and answers our hardest questions, and even through that, he can help us when people try to throw us off guard

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS: 

Scripture (S)

• What stands out to you when Jesus says, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first”?
• Why do you think Jesus reminded his disciples that a servant is not greater than his master?

Observation (O)

• What does this passage reveal about the relationship between Jesus and the world?
• What role does the Holy Spirit play according to verses 26–27?

Application (A)

• When have you felt criticized or left out because of your faith? How did you respond?
• How can remembering that Jesus faced rejection and hatred encourage you in your own struggles?
• How can you “testify” about Jesus in your everyday life at school, with friends, or on social media?

Prayer (P)

• How can we pray for strength when facing rejection for our faith?
• What specific area of your life do you need to ask the Holy Spirit to help you in this week?
• How can we pray to be bold in testifying about Jesus even when it’s uncomfortable?