Sanctify – John 17:13-19

• Q. Who remembers playing the preschool games where you are shown four objects and asked “Which one doesn’t belong?” What’s the point of the game?
  • Discuss. 
  • This game helps them develop and learn how to group things and tell them apart. 
  • Now, I don’t exactly remember playing those games but I’m sure I did at some point.
• Q. As we read John 17:12-15 try to answer this question: “Which verse seems like it doesn’t belong? Why?”
  • Give time to read and answer.
  • Jn 17:11, 12, 15 all mention the need for protection. 
  • Jn 17:14 mentions how the disciples would be hated by the world. 
  • Hence, Jn 17:13 seems like it doesn’t belong because it emphasizes joy for the disciples.
• Q. How can believers have joy even in the midst of persecution and hatred for following Jesus? 
  • Discuss. 
  • Joy isn’t dependent upon our circumstances. 
  • Joy comes on account of what Christ has done.
  • Being hated by the world shouldn’t be a surprise for they hated Him (Jn 17:14). 
  • Jesus gave the clear example of joy in the midst of suffering (Heb 12:2). 
  • Just as Jesus endured we are to set our eyes on the future promise not the present suffering (Rom 8:18). 
• Q. How are these verses a warning/challenge to believers? How can the Holy Spirit use them to convict us? 
  • Give time to respond.
  • Notice how Jesus made it extremely clear that the disciples were not to be of this world. 
  • James made a very similar statement in Jm 4:4, but with more of a warning. 
  • All believers should take a moment to reflect on how friendly we are bing with the world. 
• Q. What comes to mind when you hear the word “Sanctify?”
  • Discuss. 
  • My mind when to fine china. The dishes we only got to use when company came over. But those dishes were set aside or dedicated for a special purpose. 
  • Sanctification comes from the same root word as “holy.“ As the disciples spent time with Jesus and in His word they would be set aside, purified, or dedicated for a specific purpose. In fact, we see that just as Jesus was sent into the world, believers are sent to the world to make Him known (Jn 17:18). 
  • One of the differences with the “fine china” analogy is that instead of being hidden away to keep it safe, believers are sent into the world knowing that God will protect them from the evil one.

Unite – John 17:20-23

• Q. What causes disunity in the church? 
  • Give time to answer. 
  • Pride, selfishness, greed, etc.
• Q. What unites the church? 
  • Discuss. 
  • Humility, selflessness, generosity, etc. 
  • Ultimately, being in Christ brings unity and breaks down divisions (Gal 3:28). 
• Q. Does everyone have to be or do the same thing in order for their to be unity? Why?
  • Give time to answer. 
  • No. In fact, God arranged the people in the church just as He wanted so the church could accomplish His will (1 Cor 12:18 and the surrounding verses). 
  • The key is that Christ is the head of the church and we as believers are to grow into Him (Eph 4:15-16). 
  • If we are all pursuing God and surrendering our personal agendas to His greater mission of salvation then the church then there will be unity.
• Q. Why is Christian unity such an important aspect of our witness to an unbelieving world?
  • Give time to respond. 
  • Our unity testifies to Christ. 
  • Our love for one another lets the world know we are His disciples (Jn 13:35). 
  • You’ve probably heard somebody say, “I would go to church if it weren’t for all the hypocrites there,” or “If that’s what it looks like to be a christian I don’t want to be one.” 
  • So Christian unity authenticates that believers have had a genuine encounter with Christ.
  • Just as Jesus was sent into the world to reveal the glory of God through His death on the cross, believers are sent to point the world to the love of Christ on that cross. 

Gather – John 17:24-26

• Q. Why do people use the phrase, “You just had to be there”? What are they trying to communicate?
  • Discuss. 
  • Pictures of the grand canyon just doesn’t do it justice. 
  • Describing the experience just falls short of the real thing.
  • Instead of saying, “You had to be there,” past tense, Jesus talking about the future, “I want to to be there.” 
  • Jesus already said He was going to prepare a place for them (Jn 14:3), now He was looking forward to them being with Him in heaven and experiencing the fulness of His glory (cf 1 Cor 13:12). 
• Q. How does knowing Jesus help us see the love of God? 
  • Give time to answer. 
  • Christ revealed the love and character of God which is what Jesus had been saying all along (Jn 14:9). 
  • The cross is the ultimate example of God’s love (Rom 5:8). 
• Q. How does experiencing God’s love impact the way we love others?
  • Discuss. 
  • When we experience the love of God we begin to reflect that love to others (cf. 1 Jn 4:19-21; Mt 22:37-40).