Sermon Recap
Pastor Ryan Wetherhead unpacked the apparent contradiction in John 16:33, where Jesus’ promises both trials and peace in this life. He shared how we often default to either negative pessimism or fake positivity, while Christ offers a third way - becoming steady overcomers who can experience His peace even in turmoil. From this verse, he provided three keys to an overcoming life: receiving the gift of His peace, the school of perseverance, and the secret of power: faith alive through resurrection. He concluded with an invitation to exchange our heavy burdens for Christ's peace, declaring that His victory provides unwavering assurance in all of life's unanswered questions
Ice Breaker Option: Have you ever had a situation in life that seemed never-ending, and how did you deal with it?
HEAD: Read John 15:26-16:1, 30-33
- What is the context of this passage? At what point in Jesus’ earthly ministry does it take place? Who is Jesus speaking with and why?
In verse 33:
- What is offered to those who are in Jesus? Define this word.
- In chapter 16 Jesus talks about what the disciples would experience. Make a list of these things. What does Jesus say about this in verse 33?
- Why are we to be “of good cheer” even in the midst of trials and sorrow? Explain the gospel message based on this verse.
HEART
- Pastor Ryan discusses two extreme ways people handle difficulties - being 'Negative Ned' or 'Positive Paul'. Why are both these approaches problematic for spiritual growth?
- The Christian reality is that you can actually experience trouble and victory at the same moment. How have you experienced this? How does this challenge you in your current situation?
- How does knowing “peace is a person” give us confidence in the trials and sorrows of our life?
HANDS — Go Deeper Together
(Choose one or two practices below)
“God wants to offer us not extreme negativity and not a facade of positivity, but to live steady as an overcomer.”
1. Receive the Gift of His Peace
“In Me you may have peace.” — John 16:33
Peace is not something we create—it is something we receive. Because peace is a person, we learn to welcome His presence even when our circumstances remain unsettled.
Breath Prayer — Receiving Peace Personally
“Breath Prayer or ‘prayer of the heart’ has been practiced in the church for millennia. It is meant to be a lived, breathing rhythm of surrender. And it is a constant reminder of the one in whose presence you stand.” Adele Ahlberg Calhoun
Reflect
Pastor Ryan introduced this breath prayer: “I give everyone and everything to you Lord”As a group, practice this breath prayer together.
- Provide a moment of quit to allow group members to silently pray this prayer, repeating this rhythm slowly for 1–2 minutes.
Experience: Now, create your own breath prayer:
- Invite participants to write a short, personal prayer. Encourage participants to choose words that feel honest and repeatable—not impressive or overly complex. Use these guidelines:
- Inhale: A name or truth about God (e.g., Jesus, Faithful God, Risen Lord, Prince of Peace)
- Exhale: A simple request or act of trust (e.g., I trust You, give me peace, I release my fear, I receive Your presence)
Practice Together:
- Spend another 2 minutes allowing participants to silently pray their breath prayer at their own pace.
Discuss:
- Ask: How was this experience for you? How might you incorporate this in your faith walk this week?
- Close by praying John 16:33 aloud together.
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2. Enter the School of Perseverance
“In the world you will have tribulation.”
Perseverance is formed when we invite God into the mess and anchor ourselves to what He has already said—especially when our emotions or circumstances tell a different story.
Practice: Scripture Anchoring — Inviting God into the Mess
Reflect:
- Ask: What scriptures encourage you to persevere when life gets messy? Make a list of these verses.
- Ask group members to name (silently) a situation in their life that feels unresolved, painful, or discouraging.
Practice:
- Read John 16:33 slowly. Then invite participants to do the following:
- Name the Mess: In one sentence, honestly describe the struggle to God (no fixing, no minimizing).
- Anchor in the Word: Identify a phrase from John 16:33 or a scripture that speaks truth into that situation.
- Invite God In: Turn that phrase into a prayer: “God, in this situation, help me trust that _____________”
Discussion:
- What changes when Scripture becomes an anchor rather than a quick answer?
- How does perseverance grow when we focus on what God has said instead of what we fear?
Action Step:
- This week, return to this same verse when the situation resurfaces. Speak it aloud as an act of trust.
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3. Faith Alive Through Resurrection
“Take heart; I have overcome the world.” Faith is not passive belief—it is active trust in resurrection power. Because Jesus is alive, faith moves us to live differently now. Faith is active.
Practice: Resurrection Faith in Motion
Reflect quietly: Ask the following questions, giving participants time to reflect silently.
- What situation in your life requires both honesty about the struggle and trust in Christ’s victory?
- Where might you be tempted toward either negative pessimism or fake positivity instead of real faith?
- What does faith in action look like this week in that situation knowing that Jesus has overcome the world?
- Deeper prayer?
- A conversation?
- A step of obedience?
Discussion (option):
- Provide time for the group to share where they are being challenged or encouraged.
Action Step:
- Have each person write down one specific, resurrection-shaped action they will take this week as an expression of living faith.
Group Prayer:
- Pray for one another in pairs, asking the Holy Spirit to bring resurrection life into each situation named.
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Prayer
- Pray for perseverance in trials, that you may find peace in Christ.
- Ask God to strengthen your faith and help you overcome any challenges.
- Thank God for His promise of victory through Jesus.