John 15:18-25 - 18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’
Discussion Questions
Starter: Can you think of Jesus followers who are hated by the world? In your opinion, why does the world hate them?
Go Deeper
1. Read John 15:18-25
2. Notice the contrast of these verses with the first part of John 15. John 15:1-17 emphasizes connection with Jesus, bearing fruit, and the love of God. Why do you think Jesus shifts to teaching about the world hating his followers?
3. There is a strange phrase at the end of John 15:20 – “If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” What do you think Jesus means?
4. How would you explain v.23 - 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as wellto someone? Can you think of examples where people hate Jesus and our Heavenly Father?
5. If you were advising a Jesus follower who is dealing with hatred because of his or her faith, what would you tell him or her?
6. In your opinion, how does opposition from the world impact most Jesus followers? What is their reaction?
