Message Series: Through It All
Week 4
Scripture: John 17
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Dig Deeper into Scripture:
Verse 1-5 | Prayer for himself.
Verse 1 | Glorify me so that I may glorify you.
Verse 4-5 | I glorified you by doing the work, so now you glorify me.
Verse 6-19 | A prayer for his disciples.
Verse 6-10 | I revealed you to my disciples and they believed me, that you sent me, and my life is on display in them (Bible Version: Message)
Verse 11-12 | Protect them- guard them (like the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night) so that they may be one) so that they may be one as we are one
Verse 17-18 | Sanctify them, just like you sent me. I sent them.
Verse 20-24 | Prayer for those who will believe. | THIS IS A PRAYER ABOUT US. THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD PRAYED ABOUT YOU.
Group Check in:
How is it with your soul?
Prayer Request? Praises?
How has God shown up in your life this week?
Icebreaker:
Do you have a secret talent? Can you do it right now?
What is your current desktop or cell phone wallpaper? Why did you choose that image?
Overview:
What’s this message about? This week, we pause the how-to-pray nature of our series because we’re going to look at a prayer of Jesus. We are unable to replicate this prayer; yet, it’s crucial that you know what Jesus prayed over you. It reveals God’s heart for you, the mission for which Jesus was sent, and God’s heart for the world.
Context: After the Last Supper, after a long teaching block that includes John 14 (in my Father’s house) and John 15 (vine/branches), Jesus launches into a prayer. We should not assume that Jesus’ prayer was something said privately; rather, in the Jewish tradition, it was said aloud and it was available for his followers to hear.
Greek word for ‘so that’ appears 19 times.
We catch a glimpse not only what Jesus is praying for, but the purpose for which he is praying. This is a prayer about us! The savior of the world prayed about you. Jesus prays on their behalf so that they will be one SO THAT the world may believe that God sent Christ.
Why does that matter? Because it is the crux of salvation and life abundant. Jesus' prayer life reveals the purpose and power of unity.
Jesus gives us the same glory that God gave Christ. The Greek word can be understood as Jesus investing in us with dignity/majesty, the purpose of which is that we may be one with each other as Christ is one with God. It is a complete unity born not of agreement or assent to a set of doctrines, but by the indwelling of God’s presence among them. The unity is born of a connection to triune God.
It is in this prayer that Jesus makes the clearest statement as to the purpose of their unity. Jesus prays that they would be unified. In Jesus’ last will and testament, he says protect/sanctify them so that they may be one so that the world will know that God sent Jesus and loves the world.
God loves you! God loves ALL of us just as He LOVED his son, Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
What three ways does Jesus address God throughout this prayer? What does this tell you about intimacy with God?
What is Jesus’ petition for his disciples in verse 11, and why does he ask for this?
What kind of unity does Jesus ask for, for all believers?
What does it mean to be “in the world, but not of the world?” Look at John 17:15-16.
What kind of people do we become as Jesus reveals more of God to us according to verse 26?
What specific parts of this prayer show us how God has equipped followers of Jesus to share in his mission?
How can you put into practice what you’ve learned this week?
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