[1]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 Bible Studies For Life curriculum.
Bible Passages: John 16:19-22, 27-33
Discussion Questions:
- How would you describe a victory you’ve experienced recently?
- When did the truth of the Gospel become personal to you?
- What are some benefits of knowing Jesus has conquered the world?
Food for Thought:
Some days are better than others. While no one wants sorrow, uncertainty or hardship in life, remember that God is with us on hard days. God is at work regardless of what we feel. Jesus’ crucifixion reminds us that God is at work even when life seems the darkest, and His resurrection points to His victory – a victory He secured for us.
[2]Jesus had told His disciples on multiple occasions that He would face death in Jerusalem, but they didn’t understand what it would entail or what it would accomplish. Jesus was clear on one thing: His death would be painful for them. “Truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn …. You will become sorrowful” (John 16:20). His death would break their hearts. But with Jesus, resurrection follows crucifixion. Reunion follows separation. Joy follows sorrow.
This is the Gospel! Jesus’ joy was taken from Him so that our joy never can be taken from us. He was taken from His followers so His followers couldn’t be taken from Him. He did the painful work to give us new life and turn our sorrow to joy.
Christianity hinges on the reality of two truths: (1) Jesus is from God, and (2) Jesus is in the world. If Jesus isn’t God’s Son, then He has nothing to offer humanity, who needs to escape God’s judgment. If Jesus isn’t the Rescuer from God, then He lacks the ability to die in our place or the power to rise from the dead. Jesus’ claim to be from the Father is no small thing.
Likewise, Jesus must be in the world. If Jesus had not “come into the world” (John 16:28), He couldn’t help us. If Jesus had not put on flesh and dwelt among us, though He has the power to cancel our sin, it would never be canceled. All our hope rests in these two truths.
Jesus said, “I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). He did not say “maybe” or “hopefully.” He spoke confidently as the Creator of the universe who knew it was impossible not to finish the job. Jesus is the Conqueror of the world. If you have a relationship with God through Christ, He’s your Conqueror. Jesus lived the perfect life, and it has meaning for us. He died a saving death for us. Jesus rose from the dead, conquering death itself, and He says to us, “My victory is yours.” We are conquerors because He is. We can have peace and live with courage because our victory is in Christ.
Bible Studies for Life
Bible Studies for Life connects the Bible to life for adults, students and kids. Bible Studies for Life helps individuals and groups know God’s Word through trustworthy content, creates biblical community through engaging and conversational group studies, and helps people engage the culture missionally by unpacking what the Bible says about real-life issues. More information can be found on the internet at biblestudiesforlife.com [3].