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Lesson OneFrom the World to the Cross, From the Cross to the Skies5 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson TwoWhat Influenced Life's Daily Routines for Jesus5 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson ThreeActs: The Early Church Explodes on the Scene5 Activities1 Assessment
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Lesson FourActs: The Church That Refused to Stop Growing5 Activities1 Assessment
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Course Wrap-UpCourse Completion1 Activity1 Assessment
Participants 79
Discussion Questions
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What does Jesus teach us about unity through His prayer for His disciples in John 17? How would you define unity in the church? Do you think it is possible to accomplish unity in the church? If so, how? If not, why not?
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13 Replies
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Jesus teaches that He is one with the Father and the disciples are one with Him. And because of unity with Jesus, we are also one with Him. Today, there are so many different denominations of Christian churches so to be unified seems impossible. I think if we continue to make Jesus the center/focus of our worship, it shouldn’t matter what denomination you are affiliated with, we could come together to help the “widows and the orphans”, to feed those who are hungry both physically and spiritually, and to bring unbelievers to the saving knowledge of knowing Jesus and follow Him by how we love others.
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God was in unity from the very beginning when he said “let us make man.” When we as believers are in unity we see Gods glory. The church should be walking in unity, unity of mind, of love, and spirit. Sometimes it’s hard because of our own mind, will and emotions that we contend with but if Jesus prayed that all believers would be in unity then we should desire it and know that it is important.
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He prayed not only for the disciples he had then, but also for all who will believe, that they might be one (v.11,20-23). But this unity is not based on the need to get a project finished. It is deeper – based on the way that God the Son is one with God the Father. The holy Trinity is also a community in unity. When God abides in our hearts, we live out the same unity. Jesus also taught that this unity has a powerful evangelistic effect – the world, seeing it, will believe too.
On one hand, doctrine is important to faith and life. The universal church has to be united through agreement on a fundamental set of doctrines which are unambiguous and most essential to faith. On the other hand, “doctrinal rightness” is not the key to holy and harmonious living. Denominations must “agree to disagree” on peripheral issues, and, where possible, work together for the furtherance of God’s kingdom.
Since unity is not accomplished by perfect doctrinal uniformity, it is possible for the universal church to work towards unity. Whatever it actually depends more on the hearts of Christians than their doctrines.
#John
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Jesus teaches us that we all are a part of His church and have a role to play. His prayer is for strength for His disciples to carry on with the work He has started with His ministry. Yes, we can have unity in the church, but only with the strength and wisdom of God to help us.
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Christ is the Head of the Body, His Church (the “unified” local churches). He has taught us to be one, as He and the Father are One. His followers are to be united on the “foundations” of the Faith. We are taught, so many times, that the enemy works wickedness through division. By the sovereign grace of God, we born-again believers can be one. The Lord would not have taught/commanded this, if it were not so. Praise His Name! Amen.
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How does Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane reveal His utter dependence on the Father? What can you learn from this prayer and how can you apply it to your life during times of suffering?
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17 Replies
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Jesus’ statements in His prayer “Let this cup pass” and “not by My will but Yours” shows Jesus’ total submission to the will of the Father and His understanding of what He needs to do.
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Jesus faced death when he didn’t deserve it and he did nothing wrong. Jesus said let this cup pass from me but nevertheless your will be done and not mine. Jesus had fear in that time and that was ok. He was going through the darkest time in his life. Even though he had fear he still trusted God. During times of suffering it’s easy to let my emotions take control but it’s better to trust God no matter what cross I have to go through. Jesus conquered death and he rose in victory. That’s a reminder that if I trust God I will be in victory.
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Jesus exemplified in this moment His utter dependence on God as well as His humility to submit to the will of His Father in accordance with god’s ultimate plan for redemption of man and His desire to have a relationship with what He had created for Him at the onset.
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It shows Jesus’ perfect humanity in that he can feel the range of physical pain and weariness, and emotional torment, that humans sometimes undergo. The prospect of death on a cross is truly bleak. It is understandable that Jesus wished he didn’t have to go through it. That he uttered it in prayer shows how real he is with himself and with the Father. He didn’t put on a hypocritical façade.
At the same time, we learn that Jesus did not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. He did not let his emotions dictate his choice. By the Spirit, he chose to seek God’s will: “not my will, but Yours be done”. In this, he showed his utter submission to the Father’s will and his utter dependence on the Father’s strength.
From this, I can learn to be honest in prayer because God knows me anyway. Although I may be tempted to give up in times of suffering, I in my very weakness can seek the will and the strength of God to choose and continue in the right way.
#Gethsemane
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Jesus’ prayer in the garden shows Him pouring out His hear to the Father. He struggles with what he must do and asks if He must do this. He ultimately knows that it is the will of God and declares that His will be done. We can come to God and share our doubts, fears, and questions. He wants us to pour our hearts out to Him. And then we can be ready to do His will.