Knowing Jesus: John 17 (Daily Devo)
For the last three chapters Jesus has been talking to his disciples about his upcoming departure. In this chapter, Jesus now turns his attention to his Father and prays. As he’s been talking to his disciples of a fullness of joy, but I’m sure he is full of sorrow as Good Friday approaches.
He is about to go away and where he is going his disciples can’t follow. The Shepherd is leaving the world but leaving his sheep in the world. What’s the best thing he could do before he leaves them? Pray for them. He doesn’t just pray because he doesn’t know how else to end their time together. He knows his Father and that the prayers of righteous men are very effective.
He prays specifically for his disciples and for those who will believe in him through their witness. He asks that God would keep them, that they may be one, and that they may be sanctified. This is a great time, with the Shepherd leaving, for the enemy sneak in and kill. But God is faithful and he always hears his Son. Let’s eavesdrop the real Lord’s prayer--a prayer from God the Son to the God the Father.
John Rogers (@johnrogers) attends Connection Community Church (C3) in Rowlett. John serves as the Children's and Family Pastor and as an elder. John and his wife Chassidy are passionate about teaching good doctrine and stumbling along side parents to make disciples of children. They have two children: Sophia and Josiah.
Day 1: John 17:1-3
Weekly Catechism:
- Q23: Why must the Redeemer be truly God?
- A: That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[1] When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, [2] since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. [3] And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
-John 17:1-3 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What does he mean by saying the hour has come?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Jesus thank you for being obedient to the point of dying on a cross for our sins.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 2: John 17:4-8
Weekly Catechism:
- Q23: Why must the Redeemer be truly God?
- A: That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[4] I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. [5] And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
[6] “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. [7] Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. [8] For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. -John 17:4-8 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: How did Jesus glorify his Father?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Jesus thank you for being obedient to everything the Father gave you to do on earth.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
DAY 3: John 17:9-19
Weekly Catechism:
- Q23: Why must the Redeemer be truly God?
- A: That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[9] I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. [10] All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. [11] And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. [12] While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. [13] But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. [14] I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [15] I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. [16] They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. [17] Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. [18] As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. [19] And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. - John 17:9-19 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Jesus is leaving the world, but his disciples are staying. What problems could this cause?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Father thank you for keeping us in Jesus name and for sanctifying us--making us more like your Son.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 4: John 17:20-23
Weekly Catechism:
- Q23: Why must the Redeemer be truly God?
- A: That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[20] “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, [21] 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. [22] The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, [23] 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. - John 17:20-23 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Who all is Jesus praying for? Does this include us?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Jesus thank you for even praying for us so long ago.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 5: John 17:24-26
Weekly Catechism:
- Q23: Why must the Redeemer be truly God?
- A: That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective; and also that he would be able to bear the righteous anger of God against sin and yet overcome death. (bolded words are for younger children)
READ:
[24] Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. [25] O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. [26] I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” - John 17:24-26 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: How should we live in a world that doesn’t know God?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank you God that you can be known.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
