The Works of the Father

TABLE TALK  

A dinner table discussion guide for your family and friends.

Discussion:  What about Sunday’s message impacted you the most? 

Scripture Engagement:  

9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority.Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. 12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." - John 14:9-18 NIV 

Main Points:

  1. Jesus revealed the Father. (verse 9)

  2. The works Jesus did revealed the Father. (verses 10-12)

  3. Those who believe reveal the Father by doing what Jesus did. (verse 12)

  4. Greater works are possible by those who believe. (verse 12)

  5. The Father is glorified by our works that are done through the Son. (verses 12-13)

  6. The power for works that reveal Him are available upon request. (verses 13-14)

  7. Doing the works is a command. (verse 15)

  8. Love for Jesus drives us to keep the command to do the works. (verse 15)

  9. The ability to do the works are possible by the power of the Holy Spirit. (verses 16-17)

  10. Doing the works of the Father is the privilege of sonship. (verse 18)

Questions for Discussion:

  1. What does Jesus’ ability and willingness to heal the sick communicate about the Father’s heart?

  2. What did Jesus mean by the “greater works?” (John 14:12)

Praying Together: 

Thank Him. What can we thank Him for? 

Praise Him. What is one thing about who Jesus is that we can praise Him about?

Ask Him. What is a need we have or an area in which we would like to see God break through. 

Listen to Him: What is on God’s heart about your need. What is He saying to you?

Gunter Akridge