Starter: (In pairs)
How does it feel to complete a job well done?
Worship:
Perhaps some worship songs and prayers giving glory to Jesus.
Use Acts 1:6-11 to remember and celebrate his Ascension.
Reading: John 17:1-5
(Read aloud, then allow time for everyone to re-read it for themselves along with the commentary and the personal focus questions – and reflect alone.)
Commentary:
Jesus' first word is crucial—Father. There is no precedent for the use of this familiar word in addressing the Godhead. The Aramaic word Abba means Daddy. It is the tiny child's word. It was perceived as an overfamiliar and hence unsuitable word to address the Almighty. But Jesus uses it constantly (21 recorded times) as a significant witness to his unique sense of relationship with the Father.
The moment of death reveals our deepest concerns. Jesus is no different. His prime concern is to give glory to God. The Son seeks the Father's glory: the Father seeks the Son's. The honouring of another rather than ourselves is true honour.
The glorifying of the Father is achieved by two means
1. The giving of eternal life. The death on the cross will bring a similar life of relationship to God
the Father to all people who accept the gift from Jesus [v.2].
It is not so much an everlasting life as knowledge of the Everlasting One.
2. The completion of work. There are many things that Jesus did not do. Many places he did not go.
Many people he did not meet. He completed the work that the Father had given him to do [v.4].
We are not called to reach the whole world or to minister to every need either.
There is a specific work for us to do, and in finding and doing that specific
thing lies our fulfillment and our peace.
In the final request [v.5] Jesus moves beyond the agony of the passion and cross with his eyes upon his return to his place in the glory of the Father that he enjoyed before his arrival on earth. We too can share in that relationship with the Father after our death. (Based on B. Milne The Message of John)
Personal Focus Questions :
(Initially just reflect on the question that chooses you. It may help to clarify your thinking to make notes in the spaces provided. This will also give you material to reflect on in the future)
1. What thoughts come to mind as you read these passages?
What might God be saying to you?
2. What specific tasks do you feel God has given you to do [v.4]?
3. Jesus has given you eternal life [v.2].
What difference will that make to the way you live your life this month?
Share together in threes the results of your individual reflection.
Return together as a group and share any insights.
Now together discuss these questions.
Life Focus :
1. How can we be more aware within the church community of the specific tasks the Father
has given each individual to complete [v.4]?
2. What action plans do we need to make as a result of our reflections?
Group Memory Time :
Deal with any remaining actions you agreed to do in previous meetings.
Review:
Does the prayer life and worship of the group help you give glory to God?
How could it be more helpful?
Prayer Time :
Thanks for the gifts the people in the group have and for their use in giving glory to God
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