Sabbath School Lesson for October 13-19, 2018
Outline
John 17, which has been called Jesus’ “high-priestly prayer”, is examined this week. It consists of three parts:
- how Jesus prayed for Himself (v. 1-5)–Sunday
- what Jesus prayed for His disciples (v. 6-19)–Monday
- why Jesus prayed for those who will later believe in Him (v. 20-26)–Tuesday
Then Wednesday’s lesson talked about unity among Christians. Who are these Christians? Why is it important to recognize them? And… how are we to relate to them (those close to us with whom we disagree, or those of other denominations)?
On Thursday, we explored what love has to do with keeping the commandments and with achieving unity. Why is love, true self-sacrificial love, our most powerful witness?
Introduction
Jesus’ last words of instruction for His disciples are found in John, chapters 13-17. Chapter 17, the last chapter in this section of John’s gospel, consists of Jesus’ prayer that has been recognized as the prayer most closely identified with His high-priestly duties here on earth.
This is an important chapter to understand, because its main topic is unity. From…
- the oneness that existed between the Father and Son,
- the peace and harmony that was desired of those first twelve disciples, and
- the unity that needs to be present in all believers, in order for their witness to be complete.
The center of this prayer repeatedly expresses the desire of our Lord for them to be one–both His disciples back then and those now.
- “That they may be one as We are” (v. 11), which was spoken of the twelve disciples.
- “That they all may be one” (v. 21), which was spoken of all believers.
Memory Text: ” ‘I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.’ “ John 17:20, 21 NKJV
The last phrase of this text clearly spells out for us the reason unity is important. Its whole purpose is so others will believe in God and the salvation He provides. It is only when love is seen in His children that the character of God is understood. And this love is reflected in the unity and bonds that exist in those who claim to know Him.
Sunday: Jesus Prays for Himself
It seems odd that Jesus would chose to pray first for Himself in John 17. But just as He admonished His disciples to first see the beam in their own eye before attempting to remove a mote in someone else’s (Matthew 7:3-5), we can see the wisdom in His priority of first praying for Himself.
It is only when we are closely aligned with God ourselves that we can be of any benefit to others. And Jesus felt this need to be as close to His Father as possible, knowing that His most cruel and difficult trial would soon be experienced. This unique closeness that He enjoyed was true unity, or oneness, with the Godhead. He and the Father were truly one.
Jesus’ death on the cross was different from a martyr’s death. He did not die for His beliefs, or even for His God. He WAS God, and He willingly died for the sins of the world. This was the chief reason for His incarnation, or coming to us in the flesh.
The saving knowledge of God’s love that Jesus came to share with us in person should be the catalyst for our unity with Him and with each other.
Discussion Questions:
Read John 17:1 and 12:23-25, and Jeremiah 9:23-24. In what way was Jesus glorified, and why was this important? How do WE glorify God?
Read John 17:2, 3. What does our eternal life consist of? How will we “know” God better when we get to heaven, where we will live eternally? In what ways can we still “know” Him now?
Read John 17:4, 5, 19:30, 14:31. What did Jesus mean when He said He had “finished the work”? What work had He finished at that time?
Monday: Jesus Prays for His Disciples
With the oneness of Jesus with His Father ensured, the next step would be for the unity of God’s representatives at the time, the twelve disciples. Having shared their lives for the past three years, it’s no wonder that Jesus then prayed for His closest followers. He was well aware of the envy, boasting, and jealousies that still existed among His chosen ones.
Even without His divine abilities to perceive their inner hearts, it was obvious that unity was not one of their strengths. And it would be sorely needed through the coming trial of their faith–losing their Master.
This group of diverse disciples needed something to unify them if they were to carry out the gospel mission that He had planned for them. Starting with this prayer for them certainly makes sense to us. Only the power of God, working through the Holy Spirit, would equip them for the task ahead.
If each of them were to be God’s witnesses and share His truth, they must first be personally transformed by this truth. This would make them at one with God and with each other, in a way they had not yet experienced.
So, in essence, Jesus prayed for them…
- not to “belong” to the world, even though they resided there
- to have joy in following God’s will
- to be purified, or sanctified, by obeying His instructions (the truth)
Discussion Questions:
Read John 17:11, 16 and 1 John 4:5. What’s the difference in being “in the world” and “of the world”? How do we not “belong” to the world?
Read John 17:13. Why would Jesus want His disciples to have joy, and where does this joy come from?
Read John 17:19 and Hebrews 10:10. How are we sanctified? What part does God’s will play in this process?
Tuesday: “For Those Who Will Believe in Me”
This chapter gives us proof that Jesus actually prayed for you and me. He personally spoke in this prayer about believers who would follow Him AFTER He gave His life for us. We were and are crucial to His plan for the whole world to hear the gospel message and have the opportunity to accept and believe in Christ.
Once again, He mentioned unity though. This component would be necessary, as visible evidence of God’s love and longing for us to follow Him. Only as His children are loving to each other and united in purpose, as God the Father and Son are, would the world know what God’s true character was like.
Jesus tried to show them this principle at the Last Supper, when He said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 NKJV
When this unity and love happens, we know our love is perfected. The process begins when we keep God’s word (i.e. obey His commandments). 1 John 2:5 says…“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we [and others] know that we are in Him.” NKJV
Discussion Questions:
Read John 17:20-22, 5:20-23, and 10:15. In what ways are God the Father and God the Son united? How does this impact how we understand our own unity as Christians?
Read John 17:23 and 13:35. Where does this kind of love originate, and why? Can love be corrupted, and how will we know the difference?
Read John 17:24. How can we know the love of God and be with Christ, while still on this sinful planet?
Wednesday: Unity Among Christians
There are many questions that beg answers, when we suggest that there should be unity among Christians. Does this mean all Christians are to believe the same? Even those of different denominations? How can we be united with those who may one day lead out in our persecution? That threatening possibility has certainly been suggested in several Bible prophecies.
These are tough questions, but perhaps we should first see the prayer in chapter 17 as referring to the Seventh-day Adventist church. It is agreed that we must be a united church, if we are to fulfill our mission of sharing the messages of the three angels’ in Revelation 14. Whether we see every belief exactly the same is not as important as our desire to love and respect each other–to represent a united front to the world of a church that truly reflects God’s love.
Seventh-day Adventists believe that there are faithful, saved Christians in all denominations. Jesus mentioned in John 10:16 that there were sheep, not of this fold. And the book of Revelation suggests that His people are found in Babylon (the many apostatized denominations) and will be called out of these churches in the end times (Revelation 18:4).
Although caution should be exercised when it comes to participating in the ecumenical movement (which seeks to combine all faiths), we can find avenues that make us more connected with those of other denominations, without jeopardizing our unique beliefs.
This was accomplished in the early days of Adventism, for example, when our founders united with those who supported the temperance movement. Joining this effort enabled them to be able to share other truths with those who were fighting for abstinence from alcohol.
Today, our disaster relief work and other community programs and outreach worldwide through ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) and ACS (Adventist Community Services) enable us to work collaboratively with other churches and governmental agencies. This kind of work, of course, can be done in a way that does not compromise our beliefs.
Discussion Questions:
Read Luke 9:49-50. Why was Jesus opposed to sectarianism (or excessive devotion to a particular sect, or religious denomination)? How does He expect us to treat those of other denominations?
Read John 10:14-16 and Isaiah 43:1. How are these “other sheep” recognized and protected by the Shepherd? How do we know these other sheep are just as important as those in the “flock”?
What value is there in working with other churches and organizations on common social concerns, such as the work of ADRA and ACS? How have you seen this collaborative work in a beneficial way, especially when it comes to disaster response efforts?
Thursday: One Faith Shared in Love
Some people are uncomfortable with a religion that only preaches love. And they have reason for some concern.
- It’s true that love, which isn’t backed up by obeying God’s commandments to the best of our knowledge, may not really be God’s love at all.
- It’s also true that obedience to God’s law, which isn’t backed up by kind, loving behavior, may not actually be true obedience either.
How does obedience, or keeping the commandments, relate to love then? Why is it important to understand the connection here? It helps to remember that keeping the commandments is not a condition for achieving oneness with God and unity with each other. It is merely a sign that we have accomplished this unity.
1 John 2:5 puts it all together for us…
“But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” NKJV
Keeping God’s word, including His commandments (in other words, our obedience), works to perfect (or complete) our love of God. And it is definitely a sign, not a condition, of our oneness with Him (“by this we KNOW…).
Discussion Questions:
Read John 13:34, 35 and Leviticus 19:18. In what way was the command to love each other a “new” command, when it’s clearly taught in both the Old and New Testaments? What part does taking vengeance or bearing a grudge have in causing disunity?
Read 1 Thessalonians 4:9 and Matthew 22:37-40. Why are we to love our neighbor as ourselves? What part does self-love have in our relationship with God?
Read Ephesians 4:1-6. What are some of the ingredients that make it possible for us to have “one Lord, one faith”?
Summary
Understanding John 17, Jesus’ prayer for His followers, is vital for us, because it verifies that unity is important for God’s church, no matter when or where it is found. Our survival depends on our oneness in God and our peaceful unity as a people.
God’s word encourages this unity, as does this quote from The Great Controversy, page 379…
“If God’s professed people would receive the light as it shines upon them from His word, they would reach that unity for which Christ prayed, that which the apostle describes, ‘the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ ” ~Ellen G. White
Next Week’s Lesson: The Key to Unity
To read the Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly or see more resources for its study, go to https://www.absg.adventist.org/
All Outlook blogposts by Teresa Thompson, are at http://outlookmag.org/author/teresathompson/
