Bethesda Chapel, 2000
SG Bible Study #9

JESUS PROMISES ANOTHER COUNSELOR – JOHN 14:16-27

Who is the closest family member or friend you have who is currently living away from Singapore? Do you keep in touch? How?

1. It is clear that when Jesus says the Father will give a Counsellor (or Comforter) he is speaking about the Holy Spirit. But why does he call the Spirit ‘another’ Counsellor?
   
   
2. According to Jesus, where will the Counsellor be?
   
   
3. Jesus tells his disciples, ‘I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.’ What exactly is he referring to?
1. His appearing to the disciples after his resurrection?
2. His second coming?
3. His presence through the Holy Spirit?
   
   
4. In the passage just before this Jesus says that anyone who has seen him has seen the Father (14:9). What does he mean? Do this help us understand what Jesus means when he first tells the disciples that the Counsellor will be in them (17), then a moment later says that he himself will be in them (20)?
   
   
5. According to Jesus, what is the one basic condition that disciples must fulfil in order to maintain fellowship with him?
   
   
6. Jesus tells his disciples that one of the Holy Spirit’s roles will be to teach them all things and to remind them of everything Jesus has taught them. How is this promise fulfilled?
   
   
7. In 14:1 Jesus tells his disciples not to let their hearts be troubled because in the future he will come back and take them to be with him. In 14:27 he tells them not to let their hearts be troubled because right now in the present he leaves them peace. Do you think this, too, is an aspect of the Counsellor’s work? Explain.

Even though Jesus is now absent from his followers, he also maintains fellowship with them through the ministry of the Counsellor. Share something of what this means in your own experience. Where would you like to see this fellowship grow?