Jesus' Prayer (in John 17)

• For himself (17:1-5).
• For his immediate disciples (17:6-19).
• For future believers, including us, if we have believed (17:20-26).

For His Disciples in the World
* In John, "the world" commonly means "the world, and everything that belongs to it, that is opposed to God." This includes the values, desires, attitudes, and behaviors of the world that are opposed to God. Jesus said that "the world hates" his disciples (John 15:19).

1. Christians respond to the opposition and influence of "the world" in different ways. What are some of those ways?

2. Read John 17:13-19. Jesus says that his disciples are "not of the world." (17:14, 16) What does he mean?

3. Though his disciples are "not of the world," Jesus does not pray that they be taken out of the world. What does he pray for? (17:15)

4. Why do his disciples need to stay in the world? (17:17-19 )

† Jesus said, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (John 15:18-19, NIV)

† Jesus told his disciples, "When the [Holy Spirit] comes … he will testify about me. And you also must testify, for you have been with me from the beginning." (John 15:26-27, NIV)

† Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NIV)

Reflection/Application

> What is your relationship with "the world?" According to the Bible, "friendship with the world is hatred toward God" (James 4:4). "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). Do you need to change sides, through faith in Christ?

> If you are a Christian, how would you describe your interaction with the world? (e.g., withdrawal, compromise, "salt and light?") How would you answer the question: "Why are you in the world?" Is it somehow related to Jesus' mission? If so, how?

For Future Believers (Including Us, if We've Believed)

* Read John 17:20-26. Jesus prays that "all [believers] may be one" (v. 21). He prays that they may "be brought to complete unity" (v. 23).

5. What is the basis for this type of "oneness" and "unity?" What does it look like? How is it achieved?

6. To what extent have you observed such "oneness" and "unity" among Christians? What works against such unity?

7. According to Jesus' prayer, why is this "unity" important? (vv. 21, 23)

† Jesus said, "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35, NIV)

* Jesus also prays that believers will be with him and share in his glory, which is the ultimate hope of Jesus' followers. (v. 23)

† Jesus said to his disciples, "In my Father's house are many rooms … I am going there to prepare a place for you … I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2-3, NIV)

† "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:1-2, NIV)

Reflection/Application

> As a Christian, are you living in unity with other genuine believers? When non-Christians look at your life and your relationships in the Christian community, does it give them more reason to believe in Jesus? Do they see the Father's love in you? Prayerfully read 1 John.