John 17:20-25 (NIV)

²⁰ “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

²⁴ “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

²⁵ “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. ²⁶ I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

1. “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” —A. W. Tozer 

i. Our conception of who God is so significant because it drives both our conscious and subconscious decision-making. 

ii. “In the beginning God created man in His own image, and man has been trying to repay the favor ever since.” —Voltaire

a. Rublev’s icon, Abraham’s Three Visitors 

The three figures—Father, Son, and Spirit—are portrayed in perfect oneness, seated around a table sharing a meal. The Father, on the left, blesses the Son, while the Son, in the center, accepts the cup of sacrifice. The Spirit, on the right, rests in support of the Son’s mission, gazing toward both the Father and the Son in deep unity. Henri Nouwen reflects on the icon as an invitation to enter into this oneness, where prayer allows us to join the divine circle of love. The icon is not just a depiction, but a call to participate in the intimate unity of the Trinity, where all are united in perfect love. 

2. That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. -v.21

a. What is the nature of the relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son?

i. Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, -Genesis 1:26

ii. Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, (Movement 1) he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending (Movement 2) like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Movement 3) -Matthew 3:13-17

3. so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me -v.23b & 24

a. How will the world know that Jesus was sent by God to be the savior of the world? 

i. The way the world will know that Jesus was sent by the Father, is through the connectedness…the “complete unity” of believers. 

ii. How is this going? 

1. “You can’t hate people and engage them with the gospel at the same time. You can’t war with people and show the love of Jesus. You can’t be both outraged and on mission.” —Ed Stetzer, Christians in the Age of Outrage: How to Bring Our Best When the World Is at Its Worst

4. Communion: The Unique Opportunity of the Local Church

a. “In the Lord’s Supper, we are drawn into Christ’s perfect communion with the Father and are united to each other as the body of Christ.” —Karl Barth 

b. “It is possible to prepare for the future without knowing what it will be. The primary way to prepare for the unknown is to attend to the quality of our relationships, to how well we know and trust one another.” —Margert Wheatly

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 

Before beginning your time with John and the message, share with one another a big or small moment of joy from this last week.

CONNECT WITH GOD (Use one of the below practices or choose one from a previous week.)

• Use the Lenten Card for Reflection

Alone: Using SBPC’s Lenten card, spend time in lament, confession and stillness. Then, posture yourself to receive the unfailing love of God this new day of Lent. 

• Breath Prayer: This is an ancient practice that invites us to slow down from and awaken ourselves—even our breath—to the presence of God. It is an invitation to remember that God is closer to us than even our own breath! This week you are invited to use the phrase from Psalm 62: “My soul finds rest in God alone.” As you focus on breathing in and out, allow the words to flow out from inward breath to outward breath. 
• Inhale: “My soul finds rest.”
• Exhale: “In God alone.”

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 

Together: Read John 17:20-26

• Before digging into the scripture and message more, pray together. Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate and enlighten, and to speak to each one of you through the passage. 
• Alone: Reflect/journal on one of the following prompts:  
• What qualities, stories, or images come to your mind when you think about God?  
• How has your understanding of God changed in your life? 
• As a whole group:  In pairs, share your personal reflections from the prompts above. Encourage each other to engage curiosity, confusion, or bigger questions. 

CONNECT WITH SCRIPTURE 

If needed, read the passage again. Then select the best questions or customize the questions for your group.  

• Review the main points from the sermon outline. 
• How did God meet you in the message this week? 
• Which parts of the outline/message have engaged your curiosity and encouraged further exploration? 
• How do you understand the Trinity? What questions do you have? 
• What is the nature of the relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son?
• How does Rublev’s Icon expand or challenge your conception of the Trinity? (see image below)
• How will the world know that Jesus was sent by God to be the savior of the world? 
• How are we invited into the oneness of the Trinity and how might that shift how we enter into our life together?

ENGAGE AND EXPLORE 

Explore the quote below in connection with John 17:20-26. How does the gift of the TABLE draw us into unity with Christ and one another? 

“In the Lord’s Supper, we are drawn into Christ’s perfect communion with the Father and are united to each other as the body of Christ.” - Karl Barth

PRAYER 

This week, lift up prayers for the world. You may use the prayer below to help guide you as you pray. 

For your church in every place, that we may worship and serve you faithfully…

God of grace, hear our prayer. 

For violence and war, that there may be peace…

God of grace, hear our prayer.

For justice throughout the world, that there may be flourishing for all…

God of grace, hear our prayer. 

For those who hunger and thirst, that they may be filled with good things…

God of grace, hear our prayer.