Share Highs and Lows
Read our weekly scripture
Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
”I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.
John 14:23-29
Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
”I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.
If you would like to hear the sermon again, you can do so here - Sermon for May 1
Talk about the scripture and these discussion questions
1) What about the scripture captured your imagination this week? What about the sermon captured your attention this week?
In the Gospel of John, the Advocate (Holy Spirit) is given by Jesus to his followers. The Holy Spirit has a very specific purpose in John: to lead us into relationship with Jesus, to guide us into the teachings of Jesus, and to shape us into living like Jesus. Therefore, our faith becomes an exercise of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. And Jesus says that this gift of the Holy Spirit grants us "peace."
2) Reflect on some surprising sources of peace for you in your life? How might this be the work of the Holy Spirit?
Jesus says here, as he does earlier in the same chapter, "Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
3) Consider a time when you were afraid. What helped you face that fear? Was your faith a source of strength and courage for you?
Jesus says "those who love me will keep my word."
4) How do you stay connected to the Word? In what ways do you avail yourself to the work of the spirit of Jesus in your daily life?
Pray for and with each other (or share the Lord's Prayer together)
Bless each other with a sign of the cross on each other's forehead, saying "God loves you and so do I"
