You’ll Be in My Prayers (Easter 7B Gospel)

Text: John 17:11b-19 for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, Lectionary Series B

Download a PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Easter 7B Gospel.

OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

1. Discover who Jesus is praying for in John 17:11b-19.
2. Understand how Jesus prayed for others and how this was an important part of His prayer life.
3. Learn how we can follow Jesus’ example in our life of prayer.
4. Pray for family, friends and others.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Bibles for all participants
Newsprint and markers
3×5 cards (one for each participant)
Pencils and pens for each participant

BUILDING COMMUNITY

Share your name and the answer to each of the following questions or statements:

1. Do you remember a prayer you used as a child? If you do remember, share this prayer with the group.
2. Was there a list of people you remembered in prayer? Who were some of these people?
3. What did you ask for when you remembered others in prayer as a child?

GROUP GUIDELINES

This Bible study is designed for a small group of 6-8 participants. If your group is larger than this, divide into small groups. Select as leader and recorder the person in your group who has the longest hair.

LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD

1. Read John 17:11b-19 together out loud. Answer the following questions:
   1. These verses are taken from a part of a larger text (John 17:1-11a and John 17:20-26) known as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. What headings are used to describe the sections of the prayer in John 17 in your Bible?
   2. For whom is Jesus praying in John 17:11b-19?
   3. What are some of Jesus’ prayer requests for those people in John 17:11b-19?
   4. Are any of these requests included in your prayer life as you remember others in prayer? If so, which ones?
2. When finished, bring groups together to share their discoveries. List the answers to question #d on newsprint. Try to bring the group to a consensus on three areas Jesus is praying for in the text (i.e. “protect them” [vs. 11b], “May they have the full measure of joy within them” [verse 13] and “Sanctity them by the truth.”)
3. Ask the group the following questions:
   1. From what or whom might Jesus’ disciples need protection?
   2. How does the Father protect you, Jesus’ disciples of today?
   3. From what or whom might we or others we know need protection today? How might we pray for this?
   4. What gave Jesus’ disciples their “full measure of joy”?
   5. How do we receive Jesus’ “full measure of joy” today?
   6. What “measure of joy” might we ask for when we remember others in prayer?
   7. The word “sanctify” means to set aside for sacred use or to make holy. What (verse 17) and who (verse 19) sanctifies us? Are there people in your life who do not know this message for whom you can pray?

REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED

1. Distribute a 3×5 card and a pencil to each participant.
2. Have each person list on one side of the card the names of seven people for whom they wish to pray.
3. On seven separate sheets of newsprint list the days of the week. Post on wall around the room.
4. Direct each participant to write the first name or initials of one person from their list under each day of the week.
5. Using another sheet of newsprint, have the group work together to write a prayer which includes some of the components of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:11b-19.

CLOSING

On the other side of the 3×5 card have each participant write the prayer the group has written.

Gather the group in a circle. Pray the prayer together remembering especially the people listed on the sheet of newsprint for this day of the week.

Instruct the participants to keep the 3×5 card with them during the week and continue to remember those listed in prayer. Remind them of the common bond of prayer they will have with other members of the group who are also remembering others in prayer.

Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies 19, 1996. 

Updated for youthESource in May  2015