Bible ReadingJohn 16:7-15 — “But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.”
[33:17]Psalm 119:105 — “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
[42:24]2 Timothy 3:1-5, 14-17 — “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
[53:00]Luke 24:13-35 — “Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, ‘What are you discussing together as you walk along?’ They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, ‘Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?’ ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’ He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, ‘It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’ Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”
[56:53]Observation questions- In John 16, what does Jesus say the Spirit of truth will do, and whose words will the Spirit speak? [33:56]
- What picture does Psalm 119:105 give for the role of God’s word in a person’s life?
- In 2 Timothy 3, what kinds of behaviors and loves does Paul warn Timothy about, and what does he say Scripture is useful for? [50:48]
- On the road to Emmaus, what were the two disciples confused about, and what did Jesus do with the Scriptures as he walked with them? [56:41]
Interpretation questions- Jesus says it is “for your good” that he goes away so the Advocate can come. Why might the presence of the Spirit be better for the disciples than simply having Jesus physically nearby? [33:10]
- If Scripture is “a lamp” rather than a floodlight, what might that suggest about the way God usually guides people—especially when they want the whole path at once? [42:24]
- Scripture is not just a place to grab a verse, but a way of learning God’s language. How does that change the way a person approaches hard decisions? [49:33]
- Jesus reframed the Scriptures through his life, death, and resurrection. Why is it important to read the Bible through the lens of Jesus instead of treating it like a detached rulebook? [56:53]
Application questions- When life feels crowded with options, voices, and advice, where does guidance usually get sought first—friends, the internet, instincts, routines, or God? What does that pattern reveal? [36:29]
- Scripture and Spirit belong together. Which side tends to get neglected more: reading the Bible without expecting God to speak personally, or talking about God’s leading without testing it by Scripture? [41:04]
- If the Bible is meant to teach God’s language, what might help create more space this week to listen for God’s heart and character rather than only hunting for a quick answer? [47:20]
- Familiarity helps people recognize a voice quickly. What practices have helped make Jesus’ voice more familiar, and what seems to dull that familiarity? [01:00:38]
- The Spirit’s nudges can show up in ordinary moments—a call to pray, to reach out, to show up, to speak, or to wait. Has there been a recent moment that might have been one of those nudges? How was it handled? [01:02:27]
- In moments of pressure—parenting, work stress, conflict, loneliness—natural instincts can take over fast. Where is God’s help most needed right now to respond in a way that lines up with Scripture? [01:05:17]
- God has not left his people alone. What would it look like this week to actually expect guidance from the Holy Spirit in one specific part of daily life? [01:06:13]
