John [chapter 17]

Dear Bethany family,
Already another Wednesday midweek has arrived! If able, walk with us into this awesome chapter tonight - the longest prayer of Jesus recorded in our Bible. So many treasures.... that we may all be one! Unity is the key to spiritual growth. Let us keep the unity, keep on gathering, all the more as the day of the Lord approaches! Lord-willing, see you soon. *Distance college family, I am always thinking and praying about you... may the Lord guide you to the church, ministry, Pastor, and new friends to experience true unity and family in Christ, until we see you again! Miss everyone already. *Those who've been ill recently, we continue to pray for the Lord's healing touch soon. Press on, Bethany!

Your Brother Chester

​Wednesday Walk into the Word
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN 요한복음:
That They May All Be One 다 하나가 되게 하옵소서 [chapter 17]
BE ONE IN GLORIFYING JESUS (17:1-5)
(Question #1) Jesus’ long teaching (beginning from chapter 13), now ends in this final chapter 17 with a prayer. He had just encouraged the disciples to take heart and have peace because He has overcome the world. Although He was to depart soon, their sorrow would turn to joy at the arrival of the Helper – the Spirit of truth. Now, Jesus closes with a prayer. This is the longest prayer of Jesus we have in the Bible. Where and when did Jesus pray this? We are not certain if Jesus was by Himself, or if He was praying with His disciples. It was certainly before they went out to the garden (chapter 18) where the betrayal would happen. Yet to put aside the question of where and when, it is amazing to see the how and what of this prayer. After ending His teaching, how did Jesus pray with His eyes, and what does He ask of the Father (verse 1)?
[*REFLECT #1a] Usually, we pray with our eyes closed and head bowed. How can a change in posture help us to pray? Are the first words of prayer seeking our own glory, or the glory of the Father and Son?
[*REFLECT #1b] The Son glorifies the Father by giving eternal life. What exactly is eternal life, and who is it given to (verse 2-3)?
[*REFLECT #1c] What is your eternal life – the forever, best, ultimate, unending, significant, meaningful, lasting life?
[*REFLECT #1d] How did Jesus glorify the Father on earth? Now, where does He want to be glorified? With what kind of glory does Jesus want to be glorified (verse 4-5)?
[*REFLECT #1e] How do we glorify God on earth? The hour of Jesus’ greatest glory was the hour of His greatest suffering (on the cross). When is your hour – the time when you are glorifying Jesus the most? How is the world’s version of glory different?
BE ONE IN THE SANCTIFYING WORD (17:6-19)
(Question #2) Who has Jesus manifested the Father’s name to (verse 6)?
[*REFLECT #2a] Did we choose God first, or did God choose us out of the world first? How does this bring comfort and assurance over chaos and doubt?   
[*REFLECT #2b] What do God’s chosen ones know (verse 7)? What has Jesus given to them, and what resulted from that gift (verse 8)?
[*REFLECT #2c] Who does the giving, and who does the receiving in your life?
[*REFLECT #2d] Who is Jesus praying for (verse 9)? What happens in them and why (verse 10)?
[*REFLECT #2e] What does Jesus pray to keep them in, and for what purpose (verse 11)?
[*REFLECT #2f] As the Father is one with the Son, how ought we also live in such oneness with our brothers and sisters in Christ? How can we cultivate more of that unity?
[*REFLECT #2g] Who was the one exception to Jesus’ work of guarding and keeping all whom the Father gave – the one called son of destruction (verse 12, think about what was about to happen in the next chapter 18)?
[*REFLECT #2h] Why did Jesus speak this prayer (verse 13)? Jesus gave His word – what resulted and why (verse 14)?
[*REFLECT #2i] Rather than take us out of the world, what did Jesus pray (verse 15-16)? Why can we stay in an evil world (verse 17-19)?
BE ONE IN LOVE SO THAT THE WORLD MAY BELIEVE (17:20-26)
(Question #3) Alongside the present disciples at the time, who was Jesus also praying for (verse 20)?
[*REFLECT #3a] What does Jesus pray for all future believers, and why (verse 21)?
[*REFLECT #3b] How does a world lost in sin truly come to believe in Father God and Jesus whom He sent – what do they need to see and experience?
[*REFLECT #3c] What has Jesus given to us so that we can be one, as He is one with the Father (verse 22)?
[*REFLECT #3d] What is the key to Christ-centered unity? When there is unity in the church, what does the world outside of church know (verse 23)?
[*REFLECT #3e] What does Jesus desire for us (verse 24-26)?
[*REFLECT #3f] Are we nurturing unity that grows a stronger testimony of Christ’s glory and love for the world?