Read: Exodus 20:1-17
Why do you think God begins by reminding them that He brought them out of slavery in Egypt? Is this an important part of your faith?
How do you mark and remember the ways in which God has rescued you?
Why do you think God gave these specific commandments to His people? What is the heart behind it?
What does it mean to remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy? How are those two ideas connected?
Read: Exodus 16:1-30
In these verses, we see the Israelites struggle to trust God to provide. Where in your life do we need to continue trusting in Him, even when you can’t see fully see His plan and provision?
What do you notice about how God responds to their lack of faith? What does that teach you about God?
Where have you seen God provide in remarkable ways in your life?
Read: Genesis 1:1-2:3
We see God creating humanity in His image and God giving them dominion (or rule) over creation. How does this reality impact your view of work? How does it impact your view of how we are to care for the earth?
We see God specifically bless 3 things: animals, humanity, and a day. What does each blessing mean for your life?
Read: John 14:23-24
Given that loving Jesus is obeying His commands, what does this also imply about not obeying Jesus?
In what way do you think this approach to loving God has been lost in Evangelical Christianity today? Why?
How has this week’s study adjusted your perspective on loving the Lord? What adjustments will you make?
Read: John 14:21, Colossians 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
What is unique about John 14:21 compared with verses 15 or 23? What does “has” imply about obedience?
Why is this a critical issue when it comes to loving God? How does having a regular bible study apply?
Take a few moments and list 10 things Jesus commands? How is the Lord speaking to you about your bible study?
Read: John 14:18-20, 20:24-29, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Matthew 5:16
Even though Jesus was leaving, what did He promise about His return? Why? How did this take place?
Why do you think it was especially important for the disciples to see the resurrected Jesus? Be specific.
How does this happen today? In what way should this deepen our love for the Lord? Give an example.
Read: John 14:15-17, Romans 7:18, 1 Cor. 12:11, Eph. 1:13-14, 5:8-10, 2 Cor. 5:17
What promise did Jesus give the disciples when it comes to loving Him? Why would this be necessary?
What does this highlight about Christian and non-Christian obedience? What does this also imply about legalism?
When you think of obeying God, how does this truth encourage you? How will you love God today?
Read: John 14:15, Matthew 5:21-7:23
When you read Mt. 5:21ff, what do you notice about Jesus’ approach to obedience? Be specific.
Given that loving Jesus is obeying His commands, how does the Sermon on the Mount help you better love Him?
Based on today’s reading, list 3 areas where God is prompting you to obey. What practical steps will you take?
Read: John 14:15, Matthew 22:37, 28:20, Exodus 20:1-17, Ephesians 2:8-9
What is the Old Testament perspective when it comes to keeping God’s commandments? (c.f. Ex. 20:1ff)
In what way did Jesus change the perspective for His disciples? (i.e., earning vs. loving)
How can an imbalanced focus on God’s grace impact one’s ability to love Jesus? How does this adjust you?
Read: John 14:12, Matthew 6:5-15
Compare and contrast the way the Pharisees were praying and the instructions Jesus gave for prayer.
In what way is one relational and one institutionalized? Be specific. How can this happen today? Give an example?
How would you rate your current prayer life? What are some ways you can be more intentional and relational today?
Read: John 14:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Colossians 4:3, 1 Peter 4:7, Romans 12:12
Given Jesus was saying goodbye to the Disciples, how did He encourage them with prayer? What was the promise?
In what way is the promise of “anything” qualified? How does “in my name” apply? Be specific.
Why will prayer always prevent a complicated Christianity? What steps will you take this week, month, year?
Read: John 14:12, 10:37-38, 11:39-44, Acts 2:37-41, 5:13-17, Romans 15:18-19, Heb. 2:3-4
In what way did Jesus provide proof for the claims He was making about the Father? Be specific.
Why was this a good reminder for Philip? What promise did Jesus make to Philip to bring even more clarity?
Based on today’s Read: ing, how did this take place? (e.g. “greater works”) How does this also happen today?
Read: John 14:10-11, 1:1, 14, Colossians 1:15-20
Explain what today’s Read: ing reveals about the deity of Jesus. Why is this an important doctrine?
In what way can the deity of Jesus complicate Christianity if we aren’t careful? Be specific.
How do you struggle with the deity of Jesus? Why will it always be a struggle? How can this encourage you?
Read: John 14:8-9, 1:18, 3:33-36, 5:17-18, 19-32, 6:29, 7:29, 8:16, 19, 28-29, 42, 54-55, 10:15, 12:45
Why was Jesus surprised when Philip requested to see the Father? How did Jesus respond? Be specific.
Given Jesus was leaving, what does this reveal about Philip’s struggle with faith? How do you struggle in this way?
What will ultimately happen if this isn’t addressed? What is God showing you about complicated Christianity?
Read: John 14:7-8, Exodus 24:9-11, 33:18-20, Isaiah 6:1-5
In what way was Jesus comforting the disciples in John 14:7? Why was Philip struggling with this truth?
How would his Jewish background have complicated the issue? What was Philip’s solution? Why?
How does this highlight getting lost “in the weeds”? How can you complicate Jesus? What do you need to adjust?
Read: John 14:1-6, Matthew 28:19-20
In what way did Jesus essentially present the Gospel to the disciples to help their troubled hearts? Be specific.
How should the death, burial, and resurrection help Christians who are struggling today?
How does the truth of Matthew 28:20 (“I am with you always”) help you with a current struggle?
Read: John 14:6, 3:36, Acts 4:10-12, Philippians 2:9-10, 1 Timothy 2:5-6
In what way did Jesus say He was the only way to heaven? What does this imply about people who try to change it?
Why is this also important when it comes to people accusing Christians of being close-minded?
How does this encourage you when it comes to sharing your faith and pursuing Jesus? Give an example.
Read: John 14:4-6, Matthew 11:28-29
Why was Thomas (and the group) still confused as to “where” Jesus was going? (i.e., a temporal perspective)
Explain the three points of clarify Jesus provided. (Way, Truth, Life) What was Jesus essentially saying?
How would this have contradicted what they were going to experience? What does this reveal about pursuing Jesus?
Read: John 14:2-3, Psalm 33:13-14, Isaiah 33:15a, 1 Peter 1:3-4, 2 Peter 1:11
Within an ancient rural context, how would Jesus’ description of heaven have been viewed? (“many rooms”)
In your opinion, how does this compare to today’s Christian perspective of heaven? Be specific.
How can a misunderstanding of heaven impact how struggles are handled? How does this challenge your view of heaven?
Read: John 14:2-3, 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 1 John 2:24-25
What did Jesus describe to the disciples as to where He was going? Why? How does this relate to a perspective?
Why is this important for a troubled heart? In what way can this also help keep “1st world problems” in perspective?
How can keeping an eternal perspective help adjust you right now? Be specific.
Read: John 13:21-22, 33, 37-38, 14:1, Philippians 4:8
Explain why the disciples would have been struggling during their meal with Jesus. Be specific.
How did Jesus try to encourage them? (“let not”) How did Paul give the same encouragement to the Philippians?
Why is this important to remember during struggling times? How does this help you today?
