EXPLORING JOHN'S GOSPEL
Chapter 14: John 14
Jesus the Way to the Father
Read John 14:1-14.
When Jesus told His followers that He would die and leave them, they were very sad. Jesus encouraged them by saying that He was going to prepare a place for them. Later He would come again and take them to be with Him.
It is very important for us to remember that Jesus will come back again for His own people. He will take them to be with Him forever. That will be a wonderful day and we should all get ready for it. If our lives have sin in them, Jesus will not take us with Him. If we are saved from our sins and are living for God, then we will be taken to be with the Lord.
“And after I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to
myself, so that you will be where I am” (John 14:3).
Jesus repeated that He is the only way to the Father. There are no other ways to get to heaven. You must believe in the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, and only in Him.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me
(John 14:6).
Jesus promised that those who believed in Him would do greater works than they had seen Jesus do. Jesus could be in only one place at a time. But when His followers increased to many thousands, all of them could by the help of God do even more than Jesus did.
Jesus also said that we could pray in His name (verses 13-14). Asking in Jesus’ name means praying the kind of prayers that Jesus Himself would pray. It means understanding Gods will and praying for those things which are according to His will. Also it means praying with the authority that Jesus had.
Sickness and evil spirits were cast out when Jesus spoke with authority. We can expect the great works that verse 12 speaks about only when we pray in the authority of Jesus’ name. We do not have any authority in ourselves.
For You to Do
1. Memorize John 14:3, John 14:6.
2. How did Jesus encourage His disciples after saying He would leave them?
a) He said He would come back to take them to be with Him.
b) He said they also would die and go to be with God.
c) He said they would not need Him any more.
3. How many ways are there to God?
a) Many. Any religion will take you to God.
b) Any way you follow is all right if you are sincere.
c) One way – Jesus Christ.
4. What did Jesus say about prayer?
a) His followers should pray in His name and He would do what they asked.
b) His followers should pray in Mary’s name, for she was Jesus’ mother.
c) His followers should pray to images.
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The Promise of the Holy Spirit
Read John 14:15-31.
In chapters 14, 15, and 16 we read about the things that the Holy Spirit does as our Helper. The people of the world cannot receive the Holy Spirit, but believers do receive. He is the Spirit of Truth who helps us know the truth. He teaches us and helps us remember and understand what Jesus taught.
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever” (John 14:16).
Jesus said that what we do proves whether we love Him or not.
“Whoever loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and my Father and I will come to him and live with him” (John 14:23).
Many people think the commandments of Jesus are too hard. When God and Jesus live with us, they help us. With their help we can do everything that they tell us to do.
For You to Do
5. Memorize John 14:16, 23.
6. What help did Jesus promise the disciples after He went away?
a) He would send the Holy Spirit to stay with them.
b) He would pray for them.
c) He would talk with them.
7. What test is there for those who say they love Jesus?
a) They go to church and are baptized in water.
b) They obey His teaching.
c) The do good deeds.
Check Your Answers
2. a) He said He would come back to take them to be with Him.
3. c) One way – Jesus Christ.
4. a) His followers should pray in His name and He would do what they asked.
6. a) He would send the Holy Spirit to stay with them.
7. b) They obey His teaching.
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Go to John 15
