26

John 14–16

“Lesson 26: John 14–16,” New Testament Teacher Manual (2018)


Introduction and Timeline

On the final evening of His mortal ministry, after the Last Supper was concluded, the Savior gave instruction to His disciples, as recorded in John 14–16. At that time, the Savior taught His disciples vital truths concerning love, obedience, and the Holy Ghost—truths that would prepare them for His arrest and Crucifixion, as well as for their roles as leaders in His kingdom. Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles pointed out that the Lord’s teachings on this occasion included “some of the mysteries of his kingdom, some of the deep and hidden doctrines, some things that can be understood only by the power of the Spirit” (The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4 vols. [1979–81], 4:73). The Savior’s teachings about what the Holy Ghost can do for us are among the clearest instructions on the Holy Ghost in all scripture.

lesson 26 timeline

Suggestions for Teaching

John 14–15

Jesus Christ Taught about Love and Obedience

Share the following statement from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency:

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Love is the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ” (“The Love of God,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2009, 22).

  • Why is love the defining characteristic of a disciple of Christ?

Remind students that the Savior’s words to His disciples recorded in John 14–15 were given just hours before He would suffer in Gethsemane and be crucified. At that time the Savior taught about love through His words and His actions. Ask students to quickly read John 14:1–14 and identify three or four of the Savior’s teachings that are important for us to know. When students have finished, ask them to share with the class the teachings they identified. You might list their answers on the board. The teachings shared by the students could include the following:

There are “many mansions,” or kingdoms of glory, in heaven (verse 2).

Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (verse 6).

Jesus came to reveal His Father to us (verses 9–10).

People who believe in Christ can do great works (verse 12).

After the students have shared their ideas, ask:

  • Keeping in mind what would happen to Jesus over the next 24 hours, why would it be important for His disciples to learn these truths?

Have a student read aloud John 14:15 and another student read aloud the student manual commentary for John 14:15.

  • What is the relationship between love for the Lord and obedience to His commandments? (Though they may use different words, students should identify this principle: If we love the Lord, we will keep His commandments.)

To deepen student understanding of this principle, ask students to silently read John 14:21–23 and mark the Lord’s promises to those who keep His commandments. After students have had time to study these verses, ask them to share with the class the promises they found. (Possible answers: They will be loved by the Father and the Son; Jesus will manifest Himself to them; the Father and Son will come and make Their abode with them.) Make sure students understand that the Savior’s promise to manifest Himself to an individual may be fulfilled for only a very few individuals. Most people, even though righteous, will not experience this promise in mortality. Those who do must have been proved worthy in every aspect of life. Ask:

  • When have you felt the love and approval of your Father in Heaven for obeying the commandments?

Have students look at John 14:31, and then ask them where Jesus and His disciples were going after the Savior had taught His disciples, as recorded in John 14. (They were leaving the upper room, where they had eaten the Last Supper, and were heading toward Gethsemane; see also John 18:1–2.) Explain to your students that somewhere between the upper room and Gethsemane, the Lord taught His disciples the parable found in John 15. Show students a small branch that you have recently broken off a tree or bush. Ask students what is going to happen to this branch and why it will no longer be able to produce leaves or fruit. Ask students to read John 15:1–6 and look for a principle the Savior taught His disciples using the analogy of a branch broken off its vine. (If they need help, you could refer them to the student manual commentary for John 15:1–8.) After the students have completed their reading, ask:

  • How would you state the important truths taught in John 15:1–6? (Possible answers: If we are to bring forth much fruit, we must abide in the Lord. Without the Savior, we can do nothing.)

  • Why do you think knowing these truths would have benefited Jesus’s disciples at that time?

Encourage students to mark the words “abide” and “abideth” in John 15:1–6. Then read John 15:7–14 to your class while they follow along, paying particular attention to how the Savior continued to use the word “abide” in His teaching. Invite students to mark these words in their scriptures.

  • What do you think it means to “abide” in the Savior and in His love? (If needed, refer students to the student manual commentary for John 15:4–5.)

  • What promises did the Savior give to those who abide in Him and keep His commandments? (Our prayers will be heard and answered [verse 7], we will abide in His love [verse 10], we will experience the Lord’s joy and our joy will be full [verse 11], and we will be considered the Lord’s friend [verse 14].)

As a result of this discussion, make sure the students understand this principle: If we keep the Lord’s commandments, we will abide in His love.

Have students think of a gospel commandment and then respond to the following question on a piece of paper or in their study journal:

  • How does obedience to this commandment provide opportunities for me to show my love for the Lord and to experience His love for me?

John 14:15–27; 15:26–27; 16:7–14

Jesus Christ Taught about the Mission of the Holy Ghost

Write the following statement from President Wilford Woodruff (1807–98) on the board:

President Wilford Woodruff

“In my own experience I have endeavored to get acquainted with [the] Spirit, and to learn its operations” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Wilford Woodruff [2004], 50).

Ask students to silently think for a few moments about how they would answer this question:

  • In your experience, what are some things you have learned about the operations of the Holy Spirit?

Divide your class into three reading groups and tell them you are going to give them some verses to help them learn what Jesus taught His disciples about what the Holy Ghost would do for them (and for us). Assign students (1) to identify what Jesus said the Holy Ghost would do and (2) to think about why these teachings would have been important for His disciples, who faced Jesus’s impending death and their new roles as leaders of His Church. Have the first group silently read John 14:16–17, 26–27; the second group read John 15:26–27; and the third group read John 16:7–14. Ask each group of students also to refer to the following student manual commentaries as appropriate for their assigned verses: the commentary for John 14:16–23, 26; 15:26; 16:7; for John 14:26; or for John 16:12–13.

After students have had sufficient time to study, divide students into discussion groups. Each group should consist of three people, one person from each reading group. Then ask students to answer the following questions in their discussion groups. (You may want to write these questions on the board while students are reading their assigned scripture passages.)

  1. What did Jesus say the Holy Ghost would do? What are some of the roles of the Holy Ghost?

  2. Why would an understanding of these roles of the Holy Ghost be important for the Savior’s disciples as future leaders of His Church?

  3. When have you experienced the Holy Ghost’s help in one of these ways?

After students have discussed these questions in their groups, ask them to read John 14:15–17. Then ask:

  • What must we do to have the Holy Ghost fulfill His roles in our lives? (One answer that students could give is: The Holy Ghost is promised to those who love the Lord and keep His commandments.)

  • How does what you have learned about the Holy Ghost affect your desire to be obedient to the commandments?

Testify to your students that they can have the gift of the Holy Ghost and experience His operations in their lives if they will love the Lord and keep His commandments.

John 16:15–33

The Lord Jesus Christ Overcame the World

Have students read John 16:16–18, 28–32 and look for what the Savior taught His disciples and how they responded.

  • How do you imagine the disciples felt after hearing the Savior tell them what was about to happen to Him?

  • What are some circumstances in your life or in the world that you find troubling or that cause you concern?

Invite students to read John 16:33 to find the Savior’s words that help us know how the Savior would have us respond to tribulation. Ask students:

  • According to this verse, why can we respond with good cheer when we are faced with tribulation? (As the students share their ideas, make sure this doctrine is presented: Because Jesus Christ overcame the world, we can have peace, be of good cheer, and overcome the world.)

Ask students to think about the phrase “Jesus Christ overcame the world” and to suggest some of the things Jesus overcame when He overcame “the world.” Make a list on the board of their ideas, which might include the following: He overcame sin, death, temptations, afflictions, sicknesses, and infirmities. Testify of the doctrine just presented: Because Jesus Christ overcame the world, we can have peace, be of good cheer, and overcome the world.

Invite students to read John 16:19–27, looking for what the Savior taught His disciples that could enable them to have hope and joy despite the trials they would experience over the next several days. Ask students:

  • Which of the Savior’s teachings on this occasion do you think would have helped His disciples have joy in the days ahead?

  • How can understanding and living these teachings help us have joy, even when we experience trials and tribulation?

Have a student read John 16:20–22. Even though your students may not have personal experience with the difficulties of childbirth, you may be able to share an experience with the birth of a child that will help them understand the great joy the Savior promised His disciples despite the pain they would have to endure. Read or have students read the student manual commentary for John 16:20–22. Ask:

  • When has your testimony of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ helped you to have joy and peace in spite of troubles in your life?

Encourage students to mark John 16:33 in their scriptures. Invite them to write a short principle statement in the margin of their scriptures, summarizing what they have learned about being of good cheer as disciples of Jesus Christ. Invite a few students to share with the class what they wrote. Students might write statements like these: If we trust in the Lord, then we can have joy during times of adversity. If we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can overcome the world and feel peace. If we are followers of Jesus Christ, we can face trials and adversity with peace and good cheer.

Testify that because Jesus Christ overcame the world, we can have peace and be of good cheer. As you bear your testimony, you may want to share the statement by Elder Adhemar Damiani from the student manual commentary for John 16:33.

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