We’re studying “The Prayer Life of Jesus” because Jesus not only taught a framework for prayer called the Lord’s Prayer, but he modeled it. This Sunday, Pastor Rob unpacked the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in John 17, revealing Jesus’ heart for his disciples and the church our world desperately needs.
Intro:
In John 17 we will be studying Jesus’ prayer for the church to be one so that God would be glorified and that the world will know His love for Jesus and us. Many of us have experienced that unity, even church unity, can be difficult to live out.
Share about a time you made an unlikely friend.
Read John 17:1-5.
- Definitions:
- What is the “glory” that Jesus prays for in verses 1 and 4?
- What are characteristics of “eternal life” that Jesus describes in verses 2-3?
- What is “the work You gave me to do” that Jesus describes in verse 4?
- How do “glory”, “eternal life”, and “the work You gave me to do” intersect at the cross?
- Why do you think Jesus prays that God would be glorified through His imminent suffering instead of praying to escape suffering?
- How can we glorify God this week through our inner thoughts and attitudes? Through our public conduct?
Read John 17:6-19.
- Definitions:
- What is the unity that Jesus prays for in verse 11? What are some characteristics of the unity of the Trinity that the church is to emulate?
- What is the protection that Jesus prays for in verse 12? How is this protection different from being simply spared from trouble?
- What is the sanctification that Jesus prays for in verse 17-19? How are we to be sanctified by God’s word, which is truth?
- Why do you think Jesus prays for His disciples to experience unity, protection, and sanctification? See verse 13.
Read John 17:20-26.
- What does it mean to you personally that Jesus has been praying for you as “one who will believe in me through [the disciples’] message”?
- Why does Jesus pray that believers experience unity with himself, God the Father, and each other in verses 20-24?
- How does church unity give glory to God? What message does church unity send to the world?
Prayer and Application:
- Consider adding to your prayers this week that God would be glorified through your highs and lows.
- Pastor Rob suggested that in your solitude this week, try listening for and writing down what Jesus is praying for you. Try re-writing John 17 in your own words as a prayer for yourself and our church.
- Jesus prayed and is praying for believers now. As we follow His example, who can you be praying and interceding for this week?
Community Group Questions by Claire So
