Small Groups, Huge GrowthSample

Jesus Prayed This for You

If you could only pray one more time, what would you say to God? This would feel like the most important prayer of your life, right? Jesus had such a prayer—and He chose to pray for us.

The Last Supper was eaten, and Jesus was moving His disciples to the site of His eventual arrest. He was hours from His execution and He knew it. In the midst of the tension of this moment, with horrible separation from His Father on His mind, we were on His heart. He began to pray for us to be one—one with each other, one with Himself, and one with God, just as He was one with God. Wait, what? Yes.

God’s Son, Jesus, who was about to give His life because His Father asked Him to, spent one of His last requests asking His Father to extend to us the same relationship they so intimately shared together. Jesus asked for us to have that relationship with each other and with God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and Himself. Why? To give the godless world evidence that Jesus came to save it because God loves the world just like He loves us, just like He loves Jesus.

Little groups of Christ followers are where this oneness can most easily grow. When we pray together, we become one voice to God. When we serve together, we’re one hand stretched out. When we worship together, we’re one voice singing God’s praises. We’re growing in unity with each other, but also with God. When this happens, the godless world becomes a bit more God-full.

Reflect: Think about the extravagant way Jesus loves you. As a small group leader, you’re tasked with leading people to experience this love together. You’re the agent of Jesus’ prayer. How can your group grow closer to one another? To Jesus? To the Holy Spirit? To God? How can you lead your group to become evidence of God’s love to a godless world?