Do Not Let Trouble Surprise You
(John 15:18 - 16:4)

“They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.”

John 15:21

Discussion QuesTions

1. Jesus says that the world will hate us the way it hated him. Drawing from what you know, in what ways did the world hate Jesus?

2. Why did the world hate Jesus? Why will the world hate us? (see also 1 Peter 4:3-5)

3. Compare verse 19 to verse 16 from the previous study. Jesus chose us out of the world to bear fruit that will last. What does it mean to be “out of the world”? (see also 1 Peter 4:1-2)

4. Intimacy with Christ includes sharing in his suffering, just as he shares in ours. What hope does Jesus offer to us in that suffering? (see also 1 Peter 4:12-14)

5. Even though it will invite negative attention, Jesus commands us to testify about him together with the Spirit of Truth (verses 26-27). How did today’s study challenge you to testify for Christ?

Spiritual Practice : Lament

Lament - to take my complaints, anger, sufferings, frustrations and heartaches to God. Jesus’ call to belong to him is necessarily a call to accept being hated by the world along with him. Christian Lament is a practice of feeling your sadness in the presence of Jesus and asking him to help you carry this load, which is a departure from the world’s lure to numb or narcotize our pain.

HOW?

1. Cultivate honesty by putting words to the losses and pains in your heart. Contemplating alone through prayer and journalling for some, talking with a caring friend who helps you think aloud for others.

2. Pray a psalm of Lament, letting the words of scripture help you find your own words to express your pain to God in prayer.

Community Laments: Psalm 12, 44, 58, 60, 74, 79, 80, 83, 85, 89, 90, 94, 123, 126, 129

Individual Laments: Psalm 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26, 27