John 16:23-33

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Disciples Can Approach the Father Directly in Prayer

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers have the assurance of direct access to the Father.

Believers have the assurance of definite answers from the Father.



PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Do you have the joy of answered prayer?

  2. Do you know the peace of reading Scripture?

QUESTIONS

  1. What are the “things” of John 16:25?

  2. When would Jesus speak plainly about the Father?

  3. “You will be scattered.” When did this come true?

  4. When was the “in that day” of John 16:26?

  5. Does John 16:26 contradict Romans 8:34 and Hebrews 7:25?

  6. How do believers have assurance of answered prayer?

ANSWERS

  1. The Lord was referring to His teachings in general, and His use of parables and proverbs.

  2. In the forty days between the Lord’s resurrection and His ascension, He taught the disciples more directly.

  3. All the disciples forsook Him and fled. See Mark 14:50, a fulfillment of Zechariah’s messianic prophecy (Zechariah 13:7).

  4. It is now, and has been since Christ’s ascension (John 16:28).

  5. No. These verses all tell us that we can pray directly to the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus.

  6. By praying in line with what the Lord would approve.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Do you know the joy of answered prayer? Give examples.

  2. Do you know the peace of reading Scripture? Give examples.

CHALLENGE

  1. Is your soul restless? Are you uptight about something? Are you being persecuted? Read the word of the Savior. There is a peace that He alone can bring to the restless, troubled soul. The peace of Christ passes all understanding.

KEY VERSES

  • “…whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” John 16:23

  • “…the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and he believed that I came forth from God.” John 16:27

  • “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

John, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsJohn 16:23-33