Single lesson
Sorrow, Joy and Peace in Jesus
John 16:16–33
Jesus speaks to his disciples about a confusing change that is coming soon. In this passage, he prepares them for sorrow, promises joy that will follow, and tells them where to find peace when trouble comes.
Before you teach
This part of John records Jesus’ farewell teaching to his disciples. In John 16:16–33, the disciples do not understand his words at first, so Jesus explains that their sorrow will turn to joy, teaches them about asking the Father in his name, and ends with a promise of peace in him.
Students will be able to explain that Jesus told his disciples their sorrow would turn to joy and that they can have peace in him even when there is trouble.
Welcome: A change from sad to glad
4 minAsk children to think of a time they felt confused before understanding something later. Then introduce the passage: Jesus says, ‘A little while’ and the disciples do not understand what he means. Explain that today they will listen for three big ideas: sorrow, joy and peace. Read John 16:16–19 aloud together.
John 16:16, John 16:17, John 16:18, John 16:19
Read and explain: Sorrow turned into joy
7 minRead John 16:20–22. Explain that Jesus plainly says the disciples will weep and be sorrowful, while others rejoice. Then he promises, ‘your sorrow will be turned into joy’. The picture of a woman giving birth shows that deep pain can be followed by real joy. Jesus says he will see them again, and their joy will not be taken away.
John 16:20, John 16:21, John 16:22
Discuss: Asking the Father in Jesus’ name
6 minRead John 16:23–30. Point out that Jesus says they may ask of the Father in his name, and he says the Father loves them because they have loved Jesus and believed he came from God. Help children notice that Jesus is teaching both about joy and about knowing the Father more plainly.
John 16:23, John 16:24, John 16:25, John 16:26, John 16:27, John 16:28, John 16:29, John 16:30
Make and respond: Peace reminder card
8 minHelp each child choose a short phrase from the passage for a reminder card, such as ‘your sorrow will be turned into joy’ or ‘in me you may have peace’. They can decorate the card and briefly share one realistic moment when they might need to remember Jesus’ words, such as feeling worried, sad or confused.
John 16:20, John 16:22, John 16:24, John 16:33
Closing: Trouble in the world, peace in Jesus
5 minRead John 16:31–33. Explain that Jesus knows the disciples will be scattered, yet he says the Father is with him. He does not say there will be no trouble. He says, ‘In me you may have peace’ and ‘I have overcome the world.’ Finish by reviewing how the passage moves from confusion, to sorrow, to joy, to peace.
John 16:31, John 16:32, John 16:33
Questions to explore
Why were the disciples confused at the beginning of the passage?
Look at the repeated words ‘a little while’ and notice that the disciples say they do not know what Jesus is saying.
John 16:16, John 16:17, John 16:18
What does Jesus say will happen to the disciples’ sorrow?
Read carefully for Jesus’ direct promise and the picture he uses to explain it.
John 16:20, John 16:21, John 16:22
According to Jesus, where can his disciples have peace when there is trouble?
Do not skip the first part of the sentence. Jesus names both the place of peace and the reality of trouble.
John 16:33
Make, think or respond
Sorrow, Joy and Peace Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- Plain card or paper
- Coloured pencils or markers
- Bible
- Scissors
- Sticky tape or blu-tack
Try it together
- Read John 16:20, John 16:22, John 16:24 and John 16:33, then let each child choose one short line to remember.
- Fold or cut a small piece of card and write the chosen words neatly on the front.
- Draw a simple picture or symbol that matches the verse, such as a heart, a smile, praying hands or a calm sea.
- On the back, write one real situation where the child could remember Jesus’ words this week.
- Invite children to take the card home or place it somewhere they will see it often.
The card helps children remember that Jesus spoke about sorrow turning to joy and about having peace in him during trouble.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two verse choices only, read them aloud slowly, and let them draw instead of writing a full sentence on the back.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to explain how John 16:33 connects with John 16:20–22 in one or two sentences before making the card.
An optional closing prayer
‘Lord Jesus, thank you that you told your disciples the truth. Please help us trust you when we feel sad, confused or troubled, and help us remember that in you we may have peace.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
John 16
16 “A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.”
17 Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father’ ?”
18 They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’ ? We don’t know what he is saying.”
19 Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’?
20 Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.
21 A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world.
22 Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
23 “In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
24 Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
25 “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father.
26 In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you,
27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God.
28 I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”
29 His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech.
30 Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”
31 Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
32 Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.