Teen Life Application Study Bible - Gospel of John - Flipbook - Page 25
JOHN 15
MY STORY: Zoë
One day I came home from school only to
find a note saying that my mother had been
rushed to the hospital! I called the hospital
and discovered that she had a blood clot in
her leg and would have to be hospitalized for
a while.
Suddenly, our household was thrown
into chaos. Nothing seemed normal without
Mom. Plus, I was worried that this could be
something serious, or lead to something
serious.
Through this time, I read the Bible a lot.
I memorized John 14:27: “I am leaving you
with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And
the peace I give is a gift the world cannot
give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” These
words of Jesus’ helped me not to freak out.
Instead I gave the situation to God and
trusted him to see me through it. Every time
I started to worry, I repeated this verse to
myself and felt calmer. Jesus understood
what I was going through. Not only that, he
was in control! The more I concentrated on
this, the more peace I felt. It was strange to
feel so peaceful even when there was plenty
I could worry about. But I just kept reminding myself of this verse. It helped me get
through that difficult time.
But you know him, because he lives with you
now and later will be in you.* 18No, I will not
abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.
19
Soon the world will no longer see me, but
you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.
20
When I am raised to life again, you will know
that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and
I am in you. 21Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love
me. And because they love me, my Father will
love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”
22
Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why
are you going to reveal yourself only to us and
not to the world at large?”
23
Jesus replied, “All who love me will do
what I say. My Father will love them, and we
will come and make our home with each of
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them. 24 Anyone who doesn’t love me will not
obey me. And remember, my words are not my
own. What I am telling you is from the Father
who sent me. 25I am telling you these things
now while I am still with you. 26But when the
Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you
everything and will remind you of everything I
have told you.
27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of
mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift
the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or
afraid. 28Remember what I told you: I am going
away, but I will come back to you again. If you
really loved me, you would be happy that I
am going to the Father, who is greater than I
am. 29I have told you these things before they
happen so that when they do happen, you will
believe.
30
“I don’t have much more time to talk
to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31but I will
do what the Father requires of me, so that the
world will know that I love the Father. Come,
let’s be going.
15
JESUS, THE TRUE VINE “I am the
true grapevine, and my Father is the
gardener. 2He cuts off every branch of mine
that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the
branches that do bear fruit so they will produce
even more. 3You have already been pruned
and purified by the message I have given you.
4
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For
a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed
from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless
you remain in me.
5
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will
produce much fruit. For apart from me you can
do nothing. 6Anyone who does not remain in
me is thrown away like a useless branch and
withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile
to be burned. 7But if you remain in me and my
words remain in you, you may ask for anything
you want, and it will be granted! 8When you
produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.
This brings great glory to my Father.
9
“I have loved you even as the Father has
loved me. Remain in my love. 10When you obey
my commandments, you remain in my love,
just as I obey my Father’s commandments
and remain in his love. 11I have told you these
things so that you will be filled with my joy.
Yes, your joy will overflow! 12This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way
14:17 Some manuscripts read and is in you.
