We realize you may not be able to discuss d. What can you do to ensure that you are grounded all the questions. Pick the ones you like. in the truth of God’s Word AND unified with your Small Group Questions brothers and sisters in Christ? “That The World May Believe” Discussion Questions John 17:17-23 Read John 17:17-23 Previous message summary: During Jesus’ longest prayer 2. What do you know about Jesus’ prayer in John recorded in Scripture, he prays for himself. As Jesus prays, he chapter 17? When does this prayer take place? Is this affirms truths about who he is, what he has to offer all people, an important prayer? Who does he pray for in this the work he has accomplished, and where he is going. In this chapter? prayer we clearly see that Jesus is the one with all authority to offer eternal life and relationship with God through the cross. a. What does Jesus affirm in his prayer about truth? We also see that Jesus is the one who is now seated at the What are we told about truth in the Gospel of right hand of God in all of the glory that he had before putting John? Read John 1:14, 17; 8:31-32, 43-46; 14:6; on flesh and walking among us. 18:37. What we learned: Jesus defines eternal life, not so much in b. Is truth important in the Christian life? Is truth chronological terms, but by having a relationship with God and important in the life of a church? If so, what is the knowing him and his Son Jesus Christ. One of the major fundamental foundation of truth? themes of the Gospel of John is that Jesus offers life (abundant, full, eternal) to all who would believe in him. The c. If God’s Word, the Bible, is the foundation of truth question for all people everywhere is, “Do you have eternal life? for Christians and for God’s church, does this Do you know God and his Son Jesus Christ?” mean that all Christians, and all churches, have to agree on every single point of doctrine? Can Introduction Christians disagree with one another on various 1. What is more important in the church: Standing on the teachings of doctrine? truth of God’s word, or being unified as brothers and d. Are there non-negotiable points of truth that all sisters who serve the one true God and Father of us Christians must agree upon? If so, what are those all? truths? a. What happens to a Christian and God’s church 3. What does Jesus pray for his disciples and for all who when the truth of God’s word is neglected? Is this will believe in the gospel message as the disciples go God’s desire for his people? out and proclaim the truth? Read John 17:21-23. How b. What happens to a Christian and God’s church many times does Jesus use the word “one” in this when unity between believers is neglected? Is this prayer? How important is unity? God’s desire for his people? a. When the church is divided, what message does c. It is possible to be united in the truth as followers that send to the world? What is the number one of Jesus? If not, why? If so, how? reason that most people give for not attending church? b. What did Jesus tell his disciples to do so that the b. Are there brothers and sisters in Christ that you world would recognize them as his disciples? need to stop criticizing? If so, how will you Read John 17:23 & 13:34-35. demonstrate unity with them from this day c. How does love for one another create unity? forward? Have you seen this happen in your own life at Challenge: Truth and unity are essential in the life of a home, at work, at school, in the church, etc.? Christian and the church if they want to be used by God to d. Make a list of things that divide Christians and the reach the world for Jesus. Find ways to be united with church today. Are these non-essential truths that fellow Christians on the truth of Scripture and don’t let have no bearing on salvation? If they have no your Christian faith be defined by division over matters bearing on salvation, will those things divide us in that are not essential to faith in God and his Son Jesus heaven? If not there, why do they divide us here? Christ. 4. As Jesus continues in prayer, what does he say in Action: The world will know my love and unity in the truth prayer about the purpose of Christian unity and truth of Scripture this week by the way that I ______among his followers? Read John 17:23. ______. a. What would happen if the world saw Christians Next Steps: united together standing on the truth of God’s Word? Could the church grow if that were really to G I will be committed to the truthfulness of God’s Word. happen? G I will demonstrate my commitment to God’s Word by b. Would people you know be drawn to Christianity if seeking biblical unity. Christians stood upon the truth of God’s Word and were united together and had genuine love for G I will adopt the following motto: in essentials–unity; in one another? nonessentials–liberty; in all things–love. c. What needs to happen in your life for you to be a Christian who stands on the truth of God’s Word G I will seek to restore unity with: ______. and is united with your brothers and sisters in Christ? d. How can Eagle Christian Church demonstrate broth truth and unity to our neighbors throughout the Treasure Valley? 5. What would happen if Christians everywhere dropped the labels on the outside of our church buildings and simply identified ourselves as Christians? Would that help us communicate a spirit of unity among our brothers and sisters in Christ? a. What changes need to be made in your life so that Jesus’ prayer of truth and unity can be true of you?