NOTES: 1] vv.25-27 are an optional addition to 8-17. We are back in the upper room, pre-Passion & Resurrection. 2] In v.16, the word usually translated 'advocate', 'counsellor', etc., is 'paraclete', which means, literally, 'one called to the side of'.

WARMING UP: On what basis do we judge who's genuine / not genuine about anything?

TREASURES OLD & NEW: Afterthoughts from, follow-up to last week’s Group, or since?

EXPLORING GOSPEL:

8-11     What is it about God that satisfies us or doesn't? How much 'satisfaction' do we get from God? (Dare we ask, 'How much satisfaction God gets from us?') What's the difference between 'seeing' God, & recognizing that we have idea(s) about God? How do we sort out the difference between the ultimate reality of God & our interpretation(s) of God - or anyone else's? Are we any further advanced than Philip was?
            On what is our understanding of God based? How much of what we believe & accept about God has been 'revealed' to us? By whom, by what? How are we to check a belief's authenticity? What guarantees 'authenticity'? Are we doing enough about what we believe about God? How much does Jesus' centrality to faith depend on what he does about what he believes about God?
            If an enquirer asked us to explain how 'Jesus is in the Father & the Father in Jesus' would we 'have a go at it'? Go on!  Is 'believing in Jesus because of the works he does' a fall back position, or is it the heart of the matter?

12-14   Is it clear, for all to see, that we are 'doing the works that Jesus does'? What about 'even greater ones' because he's 'gone to the Father'? If not, who's kidding who, Jesus, or us? What does it mean to 'ask in Jesus' name'? Is that just a formula, or some kind of code? Is there a catch about this 'anything in my name'? Can we produce any real evidence that the anything we're asking, is either: a) bringing us, or anyone else, results? or, b) bringing glory to the Father?

15-17   Have we really worked out yet which comes first: keeping commandments, or loving? If Jesus has worked this out, how come some of us haven't? What's the difference, if any, between the Commandments & Jesus' 'commandments'?
            Of the various names used to translate 'paraclete' (see N.2 above) does one appeal to us more than the others? In what way(s) do we need the Spirit to be 'called to our side'? Might 'Paraclete' with its original meaning help keep us more 'on track' with regard to our various understandings of the Spirit? How come 'the world' can't receive the Spirit, can't see Him, nor know Him? What is this 'the world' bit? Are we, or aren't we, part of 'this world'? Where does that leave us concerning the Spirit?