Family Devotional
Read Together: John 17:20-23
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even 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 sent Me. The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”
Big Idea
The night before Jesus died on the cross, He prayed for YOU! He prayed that you would know how much God loves you and that you would tell others about Him.
Discussion For Younger Children
Jesus loves you SO much and wants you to tell your friends about Him!
Discussion Questions:
- Did you know Jesus prayed for you a long, long time ago? How does that make you feel?
- Who are some friends you could tell about Jesus?
- What’s your favorite thing about Jesus that you could share?
Discussion For Older Children
God loves you exactly the same way He loves Jesus—perfectly and completely!
Discussion Questions:
- In verse 23, Jesus prays that we would know God loves us “even as You have loved Me.” What does it mean that God loves you the same way He loves Jesus?
- Why do you think Jesus prayed for unity (everyone getting along and working together) among Christians?
- The sermon mentioned a family that went to Haiti for every family vacation. What are some ways our family could serve God together?
Discussion For Teens
You are loved with the same love the Father has for Jesus, and you’re invited into the unity of the Trinity itself.
Discussion Questions:
- On Identity: Jesus prayed that we would be brought into the unity of the Father, Son, and Spirit (v. 21). What does it mean to have your identity “in Christ” rather than in Adam’s family line? How does this change how you see yourself?
- On Mission: Jesus says the reason for our unity is “so that the world may believe” (v. 21) and “so that the world may know” (v. 23). How does disunity among Christians hurt our witness? Where do you see Christian unity making a difference?
- On Love: Verse 23 says God loves you “even as” He loves Jesus. Be honest—do you struggle to believe God really loves you that much? What makes it hard to accept?
- On Sharing Faith: The sermon mentioned a young military leader who shared the gospel with his platoon on a mountaintop. Where has God placed you (school, work, sports, online) where you could share about Jesus? What holds you back?
Family Activity
Make a “Sent” Family Plan:
- Pray Together: At 10:02 today, pray Luke 10:2 as a family—that God would send workers into the harvest.
- Name Your Mission Field: Where has God placed your family? Your neighborhood? Your kids’ schools? A specific country? Talk about it.
- Pick One Action: Choose one thing you’ll do together this month:
- Invite a neighbor family over for dinner
- Sponsor a child through Compassion International
- Write encouragement notes to a missionary family
- Serve together at a local ministry
- Plan a family mission trip (it’s never too late!)
- Pray John 17 Over Each Other: Take turns praying verses from John 17 over each family member by name.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank you that Jesus prayed for our family 2,000 years ago. Thank you that you love each of us the same way you love Jesus. Help us to really believe that deep in our hearts. Give us courage to tell others about you. Make us one as a family, unified in love, so that the world will see Jesus in us. We want to finish the mission you have for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This Week’s Memory Verse
John 17:23 – “I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.”
