DIY: The Book of John - Chapters 13-15

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 thirteen

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.
John 13:1 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.

Key questions

Jesus knows that he will not live much longer.
How does he spend his time on Earth?
What does Jesus instruct his disciples to do when he’s gone?

DIY Watch This:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbDz3VlcRPY

This video discusses what Jesus is trying to show his disciples in chapter 13. Jesus washes their feet because he wants to remind them that what God values as great is not what the world values as great. How do you try to be great? How does this change your view of greatness?

Read John chapter fourteen

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust
also in me.”
John 14:1 NLT

… Now keep reading online or in your paper Bible.

Think about it

This is a great reminder that what you are reading about in the bible is about Jesus, and when you learn about Jesus, you are learning about God.
When you obey the Bible, you are actually showing God that you love him and that you trust him.
There are so many promises that God has for you (remember the “God is Powerful” video from chapter 9)!

I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
John 14:27 NLT

Write about it

Knowing that a relationship brings gifts from God, in this case peace, how does that make you feel? How would your life look different if you had daily peace?
Take some time to write your thoughts or notes from the reading or Bible study. you can use a journal, or write in the downloadable version of this study series.

Think about it

A relationship with God is about remaining, or abiding, in him.
Definition of abide: (of a feeling or a memory)continue without fading or being lost; live, dwell

Read John chapter fifteen

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
John 15:1-4 NLT

… Now keep reading online or in your paper Bible.

DIY Watch This:

In the movie Coach Carter, Coach puts the team on a strict athletic and academic regimen. One player quits only to decide later he wants to rejoin the team. In this scene, on his own he does not have the ability to continue, but his teammates show him that together they might be able to do more. Think about verses 1-5 about remaining in God and how this might apply.