John 17:1 to 17:26 Jesus faithfully intercedes for his followers, praying for our protection, sanctification in truth, and eternal unity in God's love. Analyze the three main movements of Jesus' prayer: for himself, his current disciples, and all future believers. Understand biblical sanctification through God's Word ('Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth'). Appreciate the eternal security that comes from Jesus' continuing intercession on our behalf. Standing on the threshold of Gethsemane and Golgotha, Jesus lifts his eyes to heaven and prays aloud in the presence of his disciples, offering the greatest recorded prayer in Scripture. Glorify Your Son Jesus looked up to heaven and began: 'Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.' The 'hour' Jesus referred to was his impending suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection. Eternal life, Jesus defined, is not merely endless duration, but relational knowing: 'And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.' Jesus completed the earthly work assigned to him and prepared to return to the glory he shared with the Father before the world existed. Kept and Sanctified in Truth Turning his focus toward his disciples who would remain in a hostile world, Jesus prayed: 'Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.' Jesus did not ask that they be removed from the world, but that they be protected from the evil one. He prayed for their spiritual transformation: 'Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.' To be sanctified means to be set apart exclusively for God's holy purpose through the purifying truth of Scripture. That They All May Be One Amazingly, Jesus expanded his petition across centuries to include everyone who would ever believe through the apostolic witness: '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.' Jesus prayed for you and me before he went to the cross! Christian unity is meant to be a compelling beacon that convinces an unbelieving world that the Father truly sent the Son. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17 How did Jesus define eternal life in John 17:3? Possessing great earthly knowledge Knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent Living forever without feelings Escaping physical responsibilities Knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he sent Jesus defined eternal life as intimate personal relationship with the only true God and Jesus Christ. By what means did Jesus pray that his followers would be sanctified? Through the truth of God's Word Through military conquest Through isolating themselves in caves Through accumulating wealth Through the truth of God's Word Jesus prayed: 'Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.' Who was included in the third section of Jesus' prayer in John 17:20? Only the kings of Rome All future believers who would believe through the gospel word Only the angels in heaven Only the high priests in Jerusalem All future believers who would believe through the gospel word Jesus explicitly prayed for all generations of future believers, including us today. Choose one fellow Christian classmate or friend this week and pray specifically for their spiritual protection, growth in Scripture, and encouragement. Lord Jesus, our great High Priest, thank you for praying for us before going to the cross. Protect us from the schemes of the enemy, sanctify our minds by your truth, and unite our hearts in genuine love so the world may know you are Lord. Amen. What does it mean to you personally knowing that Jesus prayed for your faith before he suffered on the cross? How does biblical truth guard us against the false ideas and moral confusion of our culture? Unpack Christ's High Priestly Prayer to give students deep theological assurance of Christ's care and the sanctifying power of God's Word. Ask students how they feel when someone they deeply admire tells them: 'I have been praying for you by name.' Connect this to Jesus praying for them in John 17. What does 'sanctify' mean? Explain it means being set apart from sin and dedicated to God's holy service through the truth of the Bible. 5 minutes hook, 18 minutes text study, 12 minutes discussion, 10 minutes prayer.