This study is one of eight installments of the DIY Book of John study series. DIY studies are interactive Bible studies designed to help you build an engaging relationship with God. These studies will teach you to use various tools like podcasts and videos to engage with the Bible in a way that best fits your learning style. These studies were originally created for teens, but can be helpful for anyone.

You can do this study online or download a workbook of the entire book of John. 

Read John chapter sixteen

“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3 This is because they have never known the Father or me.

John 16:1-3 NLT

… Now keep reading online or in your paper Bible.
*Note: If you are using a paper Bible, try:

  • highlighting parts of the Scriptures that tell you something about who God is
  • underlining parts of the Scriptures that you relate to.

Think about it

  • The disciples were Jesus’ closest friends.
  • He is constantly encouraging them because he knows that there will be difficult times ahead.
  • These scriptures can encourage you to know that he knew then that you too, would go through hard times

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33 NLT

Think about it

  • We know that here Jesus is praying to God before he knows he will be betrayed and led to the cross.
  • How does he feel about the disciples?

Read John chapter seventeen

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. 2 For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. 3 And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. 4 I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. 5 Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

John 17:1-5 NLT

… Now keep reading online or in your paper Bible.

Look further

If we look at other gospels as they tell the story of Jesus, we know that he is wrestling at this point with having to go to the cross. Read the passage below.

Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Matthew 26:38-41 NIV

DIY watch this

“Sadness Saves Riley – From Inside Out”
Riley has experienced some hard times, moving across the states to a new home, new school, and new friends. She can’t take the pressure anymore, but she has suppressed the feelings of sadness thinking if she shoves them away, things will get better, instead, she realizes it’s okay to feel sad because that’s how she will feel the love she’s looking for. How can you relate that to what you feel and sharing that with God?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISaHt3ps1dM

Think about it

  • What might Peter have felt seeing his best friend go through such cruelty?
  • Peter was wrestling with losing a friend and on the brink of losing his faith.

Read John chapter eighteen

After saying these things, Jesus crossed the Kidron Valley with his disciples and entered a grove of olive trees. 2 Judas, the betrayer, knew this place, because Jesus had often gone there with his disciples. 3 The leading priests and Pharisees had given Judas a contingent of Roman soldiers and Temple guards to accompany him. Now with blazing torches, lanterns, and weapons, they arrived at the olive grove.

John 18:1-3 NLT

…Now keep reading online or in your paper Bible.

Review and reflect

Have you ever been through anything difficult or hard? How did Jesus respond to difficulties in these chapters?

DIY How to start praying

T.R.U.E. Prayer is an acronym that can help you start learning to pray.

  • T = Thanksgiving. Write here the things you are grateful for so that you can pray about
    them.
  • R = Requests/Needs. Write about things you need help with.
  • U = Uncovering Sin. Write about the sins you see from the day before.
  • E = Emotions. Write the top 3 emotions you felt yesterday and why.

View all studies in the series

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This article was created by a member of the Deep Spirituality editorial team.

Deep Spirituality logo

This article was created by a member of the Deep Spirituality editorial team.

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DIY: The Book of John - Chapters 16-18 6