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John 14–16

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.

Suggestions for Teaching

Note to teacher: As you consider the needs of your students and as directed by the Spirit, you might consider using the supplemental teaching ideas at the end of this lesson to help you teach John 14–15.

John 14–15

Jesus Christ Taught about Love and Obedience

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

“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?

Note to teacher: If you feel impressed that your students need deeper understanding of John 14:1–14, the student manual contains several entries covering these verses. Students could review the commentaries for John 14:1–3; for John 14:6; for John 14:7–11; 16:25; and for John 14:12.

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:

“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?

Discussion Groups

This method may also be referred to as the “jigsaw” method because students bring together the pieces of information they have individually prepared to form a more complete picture of a scripture passage or subject. This discussion method gives students the opportunity to “instruct and edify each other” (D&C 43:8) by hearing each person’s unique contributions.

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.

Write a Principle

When students can read a scripture passage and then express the main concepts in a concise principle statement, they demonstrate that they understand the passage. Writing principle statements also helps students remember the concepts taught in the scriptures. One way to encourage students to write principles is to have them write an “if-then” statement so they can clearly see how their actions lead to specific blessings.

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.

Supplemental Teaching Ideas

John 14:1–6. There Are Many Mansions in Heavenly Father’s House

Ask students to read John 14:2–6 and the clarification by the Prophet Joseph Smith from the student manual commentary for John 14:1–3. Then ask:

• Why will there be “many” mansions in heaven, and not just one? (If needed, you might have students read the quotation from Elder Quentin L. Cook in the student manual commentary for John 14:1–3.)

• What was the Savior about to do to “prepare a place” in His Father’s house for His disciples and for all people? (He was about to suffer for our sins, die and then rise again, and ascend to His Father in Heaven.)

Make sure students understand this doctrine: The Savior prepares a place for His faithful followers in the kingdom of His Father.

Share the following quotation from President George Albert Smith (1870–1951) with your students:

“One of the beautiful things to me in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that it brings us all to a common level. It is not necessary for a man to be a president of a stake, or a member of the Quorum of the Twelve, in order to attain a high place in the celestial kingdom. The humblest member of the Church, if he keeps the commandments of God, will obtain an exaltation just as much as any other man in the celestial kingdom. The beauty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that it makes us all equal in as far as we keep the commandments of the Lord. In as far as we observe to keep the laws of the Church we have equal opportunities for exaltation” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1933, 25).

Have students read John 14:6 again and then read Acts 4:10–12; Mosiah 3:17; and Doctrine and Covenants 18:23, looking for what is required for any member of the Church to be saved. Then discuss:

• What does this scriptural phrase mean to you: “There is none other name given whereby man can be saved”? (D&C 18:23). What has Jesus done, and what will He continue to do, to help us attain the celestial kingdom?

John 14:7–10, 20–23; 15:8–10, 15; 16:27. Jesus Christ Testified of His Father

Write John 14:7–10, 20–23; 15:8–10, 15; 16:27 on the board and invite students to search those scriptures to discover a theme that occurs throughout these chapters of John. After allowing enough time for students to search these scriptures, invite them to share what they discovered. Though they may use different words, students should identify this doctrine: Jesus Christ came to show us the Father and help us to know Him. You might explain that this is a theme especially emphasized in the Gospel of John.

Share with the class the student manual commentary for John 14:7–11; 16:25. Invite students to reflect for a minute or two on what they have studied in the Gospels about the life of Jesus Christ. Then invite them to share what they have learned about Heavenly Father from their study of the life of His Son. Ask them to explain how knowing these truths about Heavenly Father can help them in their lives.

John 14:15–23. Jesus Christ as Comforter

Write the following question on the board: Who is the Comforter? Invite students to read John 14:26 to find one answer to the question. (The Holy Ghost.) Then invite students to read John 14:18–23 to find another answer to the question. (Even though the word “Comforter” is not used, these verses refer to Jesus Christ as a Comforter.) To help students understand John 14:23, you may want to refer them to Doctrine and Covenants 130:3. Have students read the student manual commentary for John 14:16–23, 26; 15:26; 16:7. They should understand these doctrines: Jesus Christ is a Comforter. He will one day reveal Himself to those who love and serve Him. Also make sure students understand that this personal appearance of the Savior to an individual is not something that must occur during mortality (see D&C 88:68). The Holy Ghost is sometimes referred to as the “First Comforter” and the Savior is sometimes referred to as the “Second Comforter.”

Use the following scripture chain to help students understand that latter-day revelation gives further clarification to our understanding of the Second Comforter: Doctrine and Covenants 67:10–12; 84:19–23; 88:67–68; 93:1; 107:18–19. Help students understand that we should “seek the face of the Lord always” (D&C 101:38)—whether we see Him in this life or in the next.

John 15:18–25; 16:1–4. The Savior Foretold the Opposition and Persecution His Followers Would Experience in the World

Ask students to identify some ways in which followers of Jesus Christ are hated or persecuted by the world. Invite students to read John 15:18–25, looking for why disciples of Jesus Christ will face opposition from the world. (Possible answers: Disciples will face opposition because they are not of the world and because people in the world do not know God.)

As a class, read John 16:1–4, and ask students to look for what the Savior said would happen to the ancient Apostles. Ask students why they think the Apostles were willing to follow the Savior even though they knew they would face opposition. (To help students understand why the Apostles followed the Savior, you may want to have them read John 6:66–69 and John 16:27.) Invite your students to share how they have faced opposition because of their belief in Jesus Christ, and how they have been able to continue following the Savior despite that opposition.