In John chapter 17 Christ is speaking to His Father praying on our behalf. It shows an intimate picture of what the Father had in mind in sending Christ to earth, and what both Christ and the Father have in mind for the church today. There are three major themes of this chapter: Christ, Community, Culture. We are followers of Christ, Builders of Community and we engage the Culture with the leading of His Holy Spirit.

CHRIST
John 17:3
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

COMMUNITY
John 17:20 & 21
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

CULTURE
John 17:22 & 23
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

AM I FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT?

Seek the Word for direction. Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will guide you with My eye.

Pray about all things. Phil. 4:6-7 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything…

Then you will experience God’s peace.

Bear the Fruit of the Spirit. Gal. 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirt is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…

Be clothed with Holy Spirit power. Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be My witness…

AM I BUILDING COMMUNITY?

Work as a team. Eccl. 4:9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall,

one will lift up his fellow.

Speak life. Prov. 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue.

Live in peace. Eph 4:3 Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

AM I BEING LIKE CHRIST?

Be like Christ. Col. 3:12-13… clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you.

Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Model genuine love. Rom. 12:9-16 Let love be genuine… Outdo one another in showing honor…

show hospitality.. Never be wise in your own sight.

Speak truth in love. Eph 4:3… Binding yourselves together with peace….

Speaking the truth in love.

AM I MODELING TRUE DISCIPLESHIP?

Disciple one another. Eph. 4:12… Equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…

Be teachable. Prov 9:9 instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.

Listen fully. James 1:19… Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…

Cultivate His presence. 1 Chron. 16:11 Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Live in holistic health: (Spiritual life, Sabbath rest, honoring relationships).

Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd… He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.