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Bible Study: January 5, 2014


NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.

Bible Passage: John 15:26—16:15

Discussion Questions: When you were growing up, how did you respond to the statement “someday you will understand”? When did that “someday” arrive? What factors contributed to you reaching that point of understanding?

Food for Thought:

Most of us have had a “someday you will understand” moment. It may have been when our parents were telling us why we couldn’t do some activity others were allowed to do. It may have been at a time when we were being disciplined for breaking some rule we saw as minor. We may have even heard the statement from a teacher who was trying to help us understand why we needed to study the subject matter in his or her class. We knew we didn’t understand why, but we didn’t want to be reminded subtly that we were just too young or immature to do so.

In John 16, we find a “someday you will understand” moment. Jesus told His disciples that He had so much more to share with them, but they were not capable of handling it (see John 16:12). In less than a day, the disciples would see Jesus crucified and buried. They would also discover His empty tomb. There was so much waiting for them that they would someday understand. While experience would play some role, the greater factor in their understanding would be the coming of the Holy Spirit. Through Him working in their lives, they would come to understand the deep truths Jesus had been teaching them for three years.

We may finally understand a truth or passage with experience, reflection and conversation with others. But in the middle of those experiences, thoughts and conversations is the Spirit directing, revealing and unveiling. As we depend upon Him for insight, He will take us to the depths of God’s truth. The key is not the experience, but rather who we depend upon during the experience. Jesus has given every believer the Spirit to teach us, convict us and empower us. It is up to us to depend upon Him.

Explore the Bible

Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in eight years. The eight-year plan and more information can be found at LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible.

Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at www.LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.
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Dwayne McCrary is the adult Project Team Leader for Explore the Bible and can be followed on twitter @gdwayne.

    About the Author

  • Staff/Lifeway Christian Resources