John 16: The Spirit Will Guide You

Jesus tells His disciples it is good that He goes away, because then He will send the Helper. The Spirit will convict the world and guide believers into all truth. Their sorrow will turn into joy, like a mother's joy after her baby is born. Jesus says, In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.

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Read John 16

World English Bible · 33 verses

¹ “I have said these things to you so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ They will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ But I have told you these things so that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ about sin, because they don’t believe in me;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more;This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine and will declare it to you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ All things that the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine and will declare it to you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ “A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father’?”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is saying.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²¹ A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²² Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²³ “In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁴ Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁵ “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁶ In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you,This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁷ for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁸ I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁹ His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³⁰ Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³¹ Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³² Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³³ I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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John 16 · Preschool

The Helper Is Coming

Name Date

Color the picture.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”

John 16:7 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Pray: Holy Spirit, help me today.

Open Grade 4 on its own page

John 16 · Grade 4

Cheer Up! I Have Overcome

Name Date

Read and Think

Jesus prepared His disciples for persecution. Some people would put them out of synagogues and even think they were serving God by hurting them. Jesus told them ahead of time so they would remember His words. The disciples were filled with sorrow. Yet Jesus said His leaving was good for them. If He did not go, the Helper would not come.

The Holy Spirit would convict the world about sin, because people do not believe in Jesus. He would convict about righteousness, because Jesus goes to the Father. He would convict about judgment, because Satan, the ruler of this world, is judged. For believers, the Spirit would guide them into all truth and glorify Jesus.

Jesus said, A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me. He meant His death and resurrection. Their grief would turn to joy that no one could take away. Jesus admitted they would scatter and leave Him alone. Yet He was not alone, because the Father was with Him. He told them these things so they could have peace in Him.

Show What You Know

What would some people wrongly think when hurting the disciples?
What three things would the Spirit convict the world about?
What did Jesus mean when He said, A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me?
Why was Jesus not alone when the disciples scattered?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

truthgoodsorrowGodSpirit

Some people would put them out of synagogues and even think they were serving by hurting them.
The disciples were filled with .
Yet Jesus said His leaving was for them.
The Holy would convict the world about sin, because people do not believe in Jesus.
For believers, the Spirit would guide them into all and glorify Jesus.

Think About It

Jesus said trouble would come. How does knowing He has overcome the world help you face trouble?
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you into truth. Where do you need His guidance?

Memory Verse

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?

John 16:31 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can you ask God to lead you each day?
Who could you encourage who is having a hard time?
When has God turned something sad into joy in your life?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

John 16 · Grade 5

Joy No One Can Take

Name Date

Read and Think

In John 16 Jesus finished His farewell teaching with honest warnings. His followers would be thrown out of synagogues, and some would be killed by people who believed they were serving God. Jesus said this so they would not stumble. Sorrow filled their hearts. Yet Jesus said, It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I don't go away, the Counselor won't come to you. While on earth Jesus was in one place. The Spirit would be with every believer everywhere.

The Spirit has two ministries here. Toward the world, He convicts of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He shows people their unbelief, the righteousness proved by Jesus' return to the Father, and the defeat of the ruler of this world. Toward believers, the Spirit of truth guides into all truth. He does not speak on His own. He glorifies Jesus by taking what is His and declaring it.

Jesus compared the coming days to childbirth. A woman has sorrow in labor, but when the child is born she forgets the anguish for joy. The cross would bring grief, but the resurrection would bring joy no one could take away. Jesus invited them to pray to the Father in His name, because the Father Himself loves them. Then He spoke plainly: in the world they would have oppression, but they could cheer up, for He has overcome the world. Jesus spoke these words on His way to the cross, yet He spoke of victory.

Show What You Know

Why was it better for the disciples that Jesus go away?
What does the Spirit do for believers?
What do the labor pains and the birth represent?
Why can believers pray to the Father in Jesus' name with confidence?
What is striking about when Jesus said I have overcome the world?

Crossword

Across

Another name for the Spirit Jesus would send.
Their sorrow would turn into ____.
The Spirit guides into all ____.

Down

What filled the friends' hearts when Jesus said He was going away.
Jesus pictured a ____ forgetting her pain after a baby is born.
Jesus would send the Holy ____.

Think About It

Jesus promised joy that no one can take away. How is that different from happiness that depends on things going well?
Where do you see trouble in the world? How does Jesus' victory give you hope?

Memory Verse

Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?

John 16:31 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for this Bible story. Help me to . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

How can Jesus cheer you when you feel low?
How can you keep following Jesus after you fail?
How can you hold on to hope when faith feels lonely?

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John 16: The Spirit Will Guide You

Read John 16

Worksheets

The Helper Is Coming

Prayer

Take It Home

Jesus Wins

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

I Have Overcome

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

Take It Home

Sad Turns to Glad

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Your Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

Put the Story in Order

Prayer

Take It Home

Cheer Up! I Have Overcome

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Joy No One Can Take

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

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