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56

Winning the souls through intercessory prayer

John 17:1-19

  • Session: 56
  • Week: 9
  • Day: 2
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Introduction

In this session, chapter 17: 1-19, Jesus prayed to the Father for himself to be glorified and for the 11 grieving disciples. Just as the Peace of God and the Holy Spirit are resources, prayer is also another resource for victory for the troubled and hated believers as they travel through hostile cultures. Prayer is a humble invitation of God to take charge of the world; it’s like giving God the license to operate on your behalf.

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Understood the principles of prayer as a resource for victory in the persecution of believers as they travel through hostile cultures
  • Appreciated the model of the Lord’s prayer by practicing praying it.

Outline

  • Praying for himself and his disciples
  • Prayer is a resource for victory in times of trouble

Group Study Time

John 17:1-19

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • What is prayer? Why do we pray? How do we pray? List three types of prayer you know. What do you learn about prayer in John 17:1.?
  • Read John 17: 1-5. What did Jesus pray about himself? What is revealed about God the Father, God the Son?
  • Read John 17: 6- 19. Write at least 5 things Jesus prayed for the current 11 disciples. What is revealed about them and the world around them? What is revealed about Jesus?

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

Winning the souls through intercessory prayer

John 17:1-19

John 17:1-19

  • Scripture Focus: John 17:1-19—Jesus’ prayer during the longest, most difficult night for the disciples.
  • Context of the Night:
    • The last 24 hours were filled with turmoil, disillusionment, disappointment, and grief for the disciples after three and a half years with Jesus.
    • Judas had left; disciples were losing hope.
    • Jesus washed their feet to encourage them, showing He serves among them.
  • Jesus’ Encouragement:
    • Told disciples His departure benefits them; they should not be troubled.
    • Promised to prepare a mansion with the Father and return for them.
    • Assured them of peace—not like the world’s peace—despite trouble, because He has overcome.
    • Introduced “a little while”—a time of grief turning to joy, when they would pray for themselves.
  • New Dispensation of Prayer:
    • Previously, disciples depended on Jesus for needs (food, storms, protection, money).
    • Now entering a season where they pray to the Father through Jesus, not Him praying for them.
    • This season, promised before Jesus’ glorification, is the current time believers live in.
    • Jesus called them friends (not slaves) if they obey, and sons of God, encouraging them through John 13-16.
  • Challenges Ahead:
    • Warned of grief, persecution, and slaughter by those thinking they serve God.
    • In this “little while,” Jesus transforms believers into prayer warriors who can call on God themselves.
  • John 17 Prayer Demonstration:
    • Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, showing how to pray in this new dispensation.
    • Prayer is a resource for victory amid trouble and hostile culture, humbly inviting God to take charge.
    • After speaking (John 13-16), Jesus stopped and prayed, modeling intercessory prayer.
  • Types of Prayer:
    • Intercessory prayer: Praying for others (focus of John 17).
    • Praying through Scripture: Using verses personally.
    • Breath prayer: Silent pleas like “Lord Jesus, take control” in trouble.
    • Written prayer: Composing prayers.
    • Prayer for God’s will.
  • Intercessory Prayer Example:
    • Jesus looked up to heaven, a model for intercession (e.g., John 6 with five loaves and two fish).
    • Lifting hands to God signifies surrender, inviting Him to act despite human authority on earth.
  • Structure of Jesus’ Prayer (John 17:1-19):
    • For Himself:
      • “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.”
      • Focused on God’s glory despite death ahead, consumed with glorifying God through His work.
      • Glory reveals God’s character, majesty (e.g., Old Testament smoke, clouds).
      • Prayed for authority to give eternal life to those God gave Him.
      • Defined eternal life: Knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ, distinct from false gods.
      • Brought glory by finishing God’s work; sought pre-earth glory with the Father.
    • For the 11 Disciples: Prayed for those present (detailed in verses 6-19).
    • For Future Believers: To be covered later (verses 20-26).
  • Key Themes:
    • Jesus prayed for glorification, finishing His assignment, and giving eternal life.
    • Modeled prayer amid difficulty, focusing on God’s glory over personal struggle.
Close

How to use these studies

These lessons are designed as short, 25-minute studies based on Bible truths, and meant for self-learning or small group study. The study sets systematically cover different books of the Bible. 

Each lesson follows a simple structure:

  • Introduction (Including the outline and objectives)
  • Step 1: Connecting
  • Step 2: Comprehending
  • Step 3: Committing
  • Step 4: Communicating

These sections include questions to help you reflect on the bible passage and how it applies to your life. 

Use these lessons to disciple others by journeying together over time and allowing God’s word to penetrate your heart and bring transforming change to your life. As a leader, pray for wisdom in leading and for modelling the truths in your own life.

Sharing offline

  • Mobile Friendly PDF
  • Print Friendly PDF
  • Full Study PDF

Each lesson has three buttons allowing you to download a easily saveable and shareable PDF version of the study. You can choose either a Mobile-friendly PDF version, and Print-friendly PDF version, or a print version of the Full Study PDF (for example all the lessons in the current book of the Bible).

These are free and can be easily copied and shared from one person to another!

Gathering a Small Group

Start small to build a safe space for sharing and growth.

  • Pray first: Ask God to show you 3-6 people who need encouragement in faith, like family, neighbors, or fellow believers facing hardship.
  • Invite personally: Meet one-on-one, explain how the lessons are designed to help people grow in their faith and knowledge of God and his Word.
  • Keep it simple: Meet in a home or quiet spot; no need for fancy setup – just willing hearts.
  • Aim for consistency: Suggest weekly meetings, but be flexible for busy lives or safety concerns in persecuted areas.

Trust helps everyone open up, reflect, and apply truths without fear.

  • Start with sharing: In the first meeting, share simple stories of your own faith struggles to show vulnerability.
  • Set ground rules: Agree to listen without judging, keep stories private, and focus on encouraging each other.
  • Build bonds: Begin each session with a short prayer or song inviting God to be present with you.
  • Be patient: Trust grows over time – encourage quiet members gently, and celebrate small steps of honesty.

Good preparation makes the lesson flow and helps discipleship.

  • Read ahead: Study the lesson before; pray over the Bible passage and think how it fits your group’s challenges.
  • Adapt for the group: Use simple words; if literacy is low, read aloud slowly and explain questions or stories.
  • Gather basics: Have a Bible (in your language) and paper for notes.
  • Reflect personally: Ask yourself the study questions first – lead from your own growth and experience.
  • Pray: Pray for your group members.

Guide the group through the lesson structure to encourage discovery and commitment.

  • Step 1 – Connecting: Start the group meeting by praying together. Thank God for his Word and ask for open hearts to receive it. Read the Bible passage together (Read it aloud twice; ask someone to repeat in their words.)
  • Step 2: Comprehending: Use the provided questions to help you grapple with the truth of the Bible passage.
  • Step 3 – Committing: Consider how the passage might apply to your lives and what simple steps of obedience you can commit to. The goal of these studies if life-change! Not just knowledge!
  • Step 4 – Communicating:  Think of who you can share the truths you have learned with.
  • Close with Prayer: Let group members pray short prayers of thanks or commitment. Pray for one another.

For many of the lessons, there is a short summary teaching voice-note at the end of the lesson (together with a text summary). This is designed to be a recap and reminder of the key lessons you should have learned through the lesson. 

As a leader, you might like to use these summary teaching resources to help you in preparation for leading your group, though ideally not before you have spent time prayerfully reflecting on the passage.

This is an ongoing discipleship journey aiming to transform lives and help people to live victorious Christian lives. Focus on growth, not just finishing lessons.

  • Meet regularly: Join together at least once a week. Review past actions at each start to build accountability.
  • Encourage reflection: Between meetings, urge personal time with the lesson – read, pray, and try complete commitments made.
  • Support one another: If your group members are facing challenges, use lessons to pray together and share burdens; become “agents of change” by helping others in your community.
  • Multiply groups: As trust grows, encourage members to start their own small groups with family or friends.
  • Keep it short: Stick to 15 – 25 minutes per lesson to fit busy, challenging lives.
  • Handle challenges: If fear or hardship arise, encourage members by always pointing back to God’s love. 
  • Stay safe: In persecuted areas, meet discreetly; focus on heart change over big displays.
  • Celebrate progress: Note how people have grown in faith; allow time for sharing testimonies of what God has done. Take note of what you pray for, and give thanks when God answers prayer.

Final encouragement

Leading these lessons is serving like Jesus – humble, loving, and truthful. As you journey together, God will build growing faith into each person’s life. Pray often, and watch lives transform!

If you would like to share stories of faith from your own communities, please get in touch with us!