“The cause of Christian unity at the present time, indeed all through history, has been injured and hindered, because men loved their own ecclesiastical organizations, their own creeds, their own ritual, more than they loved each other.” (The Gospel of John, Volume 2, Barclay, 218)

“That the world, so full of animosities and fightings, may see the power of Christian principle in overcoming the sources of contention and producing love, and may thus see that a religion that could produce this must be from heaven.” (https://biblehub.com/commentaries/john/17-20.htm, Barnes)

4. We can have the love of the Father.

Sermon Questions

1. How would you evaluate your prayer life currently? Stagnant? Powerful? Underwhelming? fruitful?

2. What encouragement does John 17 bring to you, knowing that Jesus prayed for you?

3. Is there a situation in your life that needs unity and that you need to pray unity for? (Share how you will do this with the group without relaying too many specifics.)

4. What are practical ways to be unified with other believers? How can we be unified with others that don't want to be unified...or can we?

5. What examples do you have that correspond with the concept that others see and respond to Christianity because of the love shared between those who believe?

6. What other thing did the Spirit bring to mind through this message?