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Sunday, July 13, 2025

Jesus Prays for His Disciples
John 17:6-19
Blake Gerber
Disciples of Jesus have been set apart, and they will fulfill their mission in a hostile world knowing Jesus prays for them and that they are kept by God. 
Those for whom Jesus prays: the disciples 
(vv. 6-10) 
Jesus Prays: Keep them in Your name (vv. 11-12) 
Jesus Prays: Keep them from the evil one (vv. 13-16) 
Jesus Prays: Sanctify them (vv. 17-19) 
 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
  1. The disciples received the words of Jesus; they accepted them as true (see v.8). Discuss the difference between hearing the words of Jesus and receiving them in the way described above. What are the results of receiving Jesus’ words in a person’s life? 
  2. Jesus addresses God as “Holy Father” in verse 11. Discuss the holiness of God. What does it mean that God is holy? Discuss God as Father. To whom is he called Father? What does the address “Holy Father” teach us about God, and how does it encourage us as His people? 
  3. Read verse 12 and then Jude 24. How does the truth that God keeps his people strengthen your faith?  
  4. Jesus does not ask the Father to remove his disciples from the world. Instead, he prays that the Father would keep them from the evil one (v.15). What are some circumstances you are facing that have made you aware of life in a fallen world, one in which the evil one actively seeks to destroy God’s people? What truths do you call to mind as you engage in the battle? Encourage one another in these things.   
  5. Jesus prays in verse 17: Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. What does sanctify mean? (see 1 Thess 5:23; Rom 15:15-16; Eph 5:25-26) How does this prayer of Jesus encourage us as we live in a fallen world?  
  6. Jesus says, “Your word is truth.” In what ways have you experienced the truth of God coming under attack? How would you respond to the claim that truth is relative?