Life Group Questions for 9/7 and 9/14

Week of September 7, 2025

Review and apply: Last Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Message here)

John 15:26-16:15: The Holy Spirit (Will Rutt)

Opener: How do you handle significant transitions in life, such as career changes, children leaving home, or relocating? Is it more challenging for you to initiate the change or to adapt to what's left behind, and why?

Context: Though he is leaving (big transition!), Jesus is preparing the disciples for a new season without His presence, BUT WITH the Holy Spirit…

Text: Read John 15:26-16:15. Don’t rush. Feel the story. What stands out to you?

1. 15:26: Where do you see the Trinity described here, and how do you know? (See if you recognize the Trinity again in 16:8-10…)

2. How have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit in your life?

3. V26-7: What does Jesus call the Holy Spirit here, and what does that mean for us?

4. 16:7: This statement seems counterintuitive—how could Jesus' departure be advantageous for us, especially when we face uncertainties like health concerns or retirement?

5. V13: What does this verse teach us about understanding how the Spirit guides us in the “will of God”?

   1. Most of the Spirit’s leading is “right and wrong,” and the exception is “right and left.” It’s not whether to go to Zaxby’s or Popeye’s - it’s more about how to forgive, how to love, how to endure, etc…

6.  What is a key lesson you take from this passage / message?

7.  Prayer: Practice again this pattern for prayer together:

   1. Review: your upcoming day & what you need

   2. Pray: Believe that He can do it & Ask Him to provide it

   3. Go: Trust what He does & Praise Him no matter what

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Next Sunday, September 14, 2025 

John 16:1-4, 20-22, 32-33: Suffering (Will Rutt)

Opener: Is suffering bad, why or why not?

Context: We are in the upper room on the night of Jesus’ betrayal, and He is teaching them about life after His departure, this week specifically about suffering…

Text: Read John 16:1-4, 20-2, 32-3. Don’t rush. What stands out to you?

1. Define suffering… (hardship while following Jesus)

   1. Personal disillusionment (14:28-31, 16:16-18)

   2. Divine pruning ((15:1-11)

   3. Being hated (15:18-25)

   4. Being physically harmed (16:1-3)

   5. Grief (16:19-22)

2. 15:18-25: Suffering for the sake of Jesus is a joyful reminder of what?

   1. I am a follower not a faker (15:18)

   2. I’m living consistent w my identity as an alien (15:19-20)

   3. A hater’s spiritual need is deeper than their hate (15:21)

      1. Paul and Ananias

      2. Paul and Philippian jailer

      3. Chet Bitterman and terrorists

3. 16:1-4: Suffering while following Jesus is a cause for me to stumble, T or F and why?

4. V20-4: Does suffering while following Jesus eliminate joy?

5. V32-33: What does Jesus promise here? How have you experienced this?

6. What is a key lesson you take from this passage / message?

7.  Prayer: Practice again this pattern for prayer together:

   1. Review: your upcoming day & what you need

   2. Pray: Believe that He can do it & Ask Him to provide it

   3. Go: Trust what He does & Praise Him no matter what

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