John’s account (John 17:1-26) of Jesus’ final hours is crowned with prayer. The prayer is perhaps one of the most beautiful views into Jesus’ interior life with the Father and is even more powerful in light of the pending suffering to come. Jesus asks His Father that glory would stream from His suffering path to the Cross, through His disciples, and through His future followers in ages to come.
SERMON OUTLINE
After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. (John 17:1)
Jesus’ Requests to the Father
- Glorify me for your sake
- Protect them for your sake
- Unify them for your sake
Jesus Work on Earth
- Giving Eternal Life
- Revealing the Word
- Protecting the Believers
Jesus Example to People
- Full Obedience
- Effective Witness
- Desired Results
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What are the things that have preoccupied your time, money, thoughts, life lately?
- Make a list of ways you are prone to seek your own glory.
- Read John 17 and discuss what you think is the main point of the passage.
- What is the full measure of joy talked about in vs. 23 mean?
- Why do you suppose unity is so important to Jesus?
- What are some ways in other parts of scripture that show Jesus’ obedience to the Father?
- Why do think it’s so much easier for us to go for our glory than God’s glory?
- What examples can we take from Jesus’ life to apply to our own life?
- Pray for the Holy Spirit to show you ways you’ve sought your own glory.
- List specific and measurable ways to be about the glory of the Father and commit to following through.
- Read Philippians 2:5-11 and close with this prayer: Jesus, teach me how to walk in Your yoke of humility and lowliness. I set my heart to learn lowliness of heart from You that will transform my attitudes, speech, and actions. Give me wisdom on how to carry my heart in humility.