John 16:17-33 (NIV)

¹⁷ At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” ¹⁸ They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

¹⁹ Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? ²⁰ Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. ²¹ A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. ²² So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. ²³ In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

²⁵ “Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. 

²⁶ In that day you will ask in my name. I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. ²⁷ No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. ²⁸ I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”

²⁹ Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. ³⁰ Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

³¹ “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. ³² “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

1. In Jesus.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6–7 (NIV)

2. For Each Other.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. ⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.

And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8–9 (NIV)

3. For the World.

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: ⁵ “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. ⁶ Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. ⁷ Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” ⁸ Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. ⁹ They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. ¹⁰ This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:4–11 (NIV)

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,

wherever He may send you.

May He guide you through the wilderness,

protect you through the storm.

May He bring you home rejoicing

at the wonders He has shown you.

May He bring you home rejoicing

once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer, Northumbria Community

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 

Before beginning your time with John and the message, consider sharing with one another a personal highlight from your week.

CONNECT WITH GOD (Use one of the below practices or choose one from a previous week.)

• Use the Lenten Card for Reflection

Alone: Using SBPC’s Lenten card, spend time in lament, confession and stillness. Then, posture yourself to receive the unfailing love of God this new day of Lent. 

• Weekly Examen

Alone: Spend time in prayer, quiet reflection and journaling, following the steps below.

• Take a quiet moment, seek our God’s presence, and pray for the guidance of the Spirit.
• Consider the past week⎯recall specific moments and feelings that stand out to you.
• Choose one moment or feeling for deeper examination, thanksgiving, or repentance.
• Let go, breathe deeply, and invite Christ’s love to surround and fill you in preparation for the week ahead.
• End with the Lord’s Prayer.

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 

Together: Read John 16:17-33

• Before digging into the scripture and message more, pray together. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate and enlighten, and to speak to each one of you through the passage. 
• Alone: Reflect/journal on one of the following prompts:  
• What images, stories or memories come to your mind when you reflect on the word "peace"? 
• How have you experienced the peace of Christ in your life? 
• As a whole group: Around the circle, share your personal reflections and questions about the passage. Encourage one another to engage curiosity, confusion, or bigger questions. 

CONNECT WITH SCRIPTURE 

If needed, read the passage again. Then select the best questions or customize the questions for your group.  

• Review the main points from the sermon outline. 
• How did God meet you in the message or in worship this week? 
• Review the supplemental passages this week in the outline and explore their connections to John 16:17-33.  
• Contextualize the passage. How does your understanding of the passage shift when you consider it in context of what has come before it in chapter 15 and 16? 
• What image, metaphor or idea most sticks out to you as you read verses 19-24? 
• Why does Jesus seem so concerned with the belief of the disciples at this point in John? 
• How does knowing that Jesus has overcome affect how you view suffering that may come to you in your life?  
• What questions, observations, or reactions do you have after reflecting on the passage and sermon? 

ENGAGE AND EXPLORE 

Together: Explore the quote below in connection with John 16:17-33. 

“And while the disciples finally claim to understand what Jesus is saying (vv. 29-31), Jesus warns them again that the coming days will bring challenges to the faith: the disciples will be scattered, experience hostility, and need peace and courage (vv.32-33). In speaking directly to his disciples, Jesus also addresses all future disciples, all those reading the Gospel, who struggle in Jesus’ absence to persevere in following him. What Jesus promised to those sharing that last meal with him, he promises to all who continue to draw their life from him.” - Marianne Meye Thompson, John: A Commentary

PRAYER 

This week, pray for one another using the Morning Prayer from the Northumbria Community.

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you,

wherever He may send you.

May He guide you through the wilderness,

protect you through the storm.

May He bring you home rejoicing

at the wonders He has shown you.

May He bring you home rejoicing

once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.