The God who set the universe in motion with the power of His Word, invites you to come close and talk to Him – to tell Him your heart, your problems, your dreams. And, when you come to Him in Jesus’ name, desiring to be like Jesus and live a life that pleases Him, you will never leave His presence empty-handed.

John 16:16-24 (NASB)

16“A little while, and you will no longer see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me.”17Some of His disciples then said to one another, “What is this thing He is telling us, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I go to the Father’?”18So they were saying, “What is this that He says, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.”19Jesus knew that they wished to question Him, and He said to them, “Are you deliberating together about this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me, and again a little while, and you will see Me’?20“Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.21“Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.22“Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

23“In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you.24“Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.

Discussion:

1.  What do you remember from this week's sermon?

2. What stood out to you in this passage?

3. What do you learn about Christ?

4. What do you learn about yourself?

5. Is there a command or an example to follow?

Application:

1. What hope does Jesus bring in seasons of pain and suffering?

2. What hope does Jesus bring in a season of uncertainty of the future?

3. How does the Hope of Jesus Christ, inspire us to move forward in seasons of pain?

4. How do you remind yourself of the Hope you have in Jesus Christ?

5. How do you encourage those in your small group keep the faith in seasons of pain and suffering?

6. How do you pray for yourself through these seasons? How do you pray for those in your life who are going through difficult seasons

Prayer:

Psalm 61:1-8 (NASB)

1Hear my cry, O God;

Give heed to my prayer.

2From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3For You have been a refuge for me,

A tower of strength against the enemy.

4Let me dwell in Your tent forever;

Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.

Selah.

5For You have heard my vows, O God;

You have given me the inheritance of those who fear Your name.

6You will prolong the king’s life;

His years will be as many generations.

7He will abide before God forever;

Appoint lovingkindness and truth that they may preserve him.

8So I will sing praise to Your name forever,

That I may pay my vows day by day.